The Male Gaze Theory.

The Male Gaze Theory

The Male Gaze Theory was first introduced by Laura Mulvey. It suggests cinema audiences look at films in two different ways, Voyeuristically and Fetishistically. This is because films are watched by audiences without the audience being watched themselves, it is also usually in a darkened room where it is hard to view other films viewers. This in effect makes them almost voyeurs which inadvertently will cause two things to happen:

• Objectification of characters
• Narcissistic identification with ideal image in the films

As stated above it is also suggested that characters may into objects, in a way which makes the characters more objectified and desirable to the audience. This has led to iconic female actors who is celebrated more for her looks than she is for her talent. This is just seen as more 'Eye Candy' for male audiences.

I will now give a brief overview of some films in which the Male Gaze theory can be easily applied.

1. Into The Blue

Into The Blue is a good example of where the Male Gaze Theory can be applied easily. This is because of the way in which Jessica Alba's character is portrayed in the film. As you can see in the poster to the right, Jessica Alba is dressed in a bikini which makes her easy 'eye candy' for the male audience. But also the males in the films are also shown to be strong and handsome making them an ideal image for males to want to follow.

2. Transformers

Transformers is another easy film to apply the Male Gaze Theory onto. This is because from the very start of the film Megan Fox is shown to have no big part to play as she is only a helper, yet she is in many scenes and is shown mainly to be once again 'Eye Candy' for the male audience.

3. James Bond: Casino Royale

James Bond is one of the biggest films that the Male Gaze theory can be easily applied to. This is mainly because it is the epitome the man that males want to be. Bond is shown to get all the girls and also take down all the enemies without breaking a stretch which is what other males idolise about him. Also many of the women in bond films a shown to be objects rather than actually people making the females once again 'eye candy' for the male audience.

4. Mission Impossible 4

Mission Impossible 4 is another good film on which the Male Gaze Theory can be applied. This is ponce again due to the fact that the main character is easy for males to idolise for his talents. Also many of the leading females are shown to be eye candy to the male audience but yet they also play some pivotal roles within the mission impossible films lowering the effect of them being objectified.

5. Sucker Punch

Sucker Punch is another film in which the Male Gaze Theory can be applied. This is mainly due to the all female cast making them the main focus of the film, which is of course appealing to the male audience. But the female cast is shown to be less objectified for doing this. This is because none of the cast are perceived as eye candy as all of them serve a main role within the film.