No matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, beauty standards will always judge you mercilessly. Time after time, our taste in aesthetics changes, and so does our fashion sense. People would compliment or scrutinize our appearance based on the current beauty standards. Although women are the number one victim of this societal phenomenon, men aren’t exempt from it either.
Firstly, how would you describe the ideal male appearance? Is it someone with a tall stature and immaculate physique? Or is it someone who has a melancholic yet dangerously charming vibe? Different time and different culture have their unique preference when it comes to male beauty standards.
Aside from magazines and celebrities, movies make the embedded beauty standards as infectious as the common cold in a rainy season. These days, however, I think the masculine and buffed-up look is making a comeback. Maybe, because of superhero movies’ growing popularity. But, men’s beauty standards aren’t always like this.
Men’s Beauty Standards In Post-War Era Films And The Rise Of The Tough Biker Looks
Departing from the 1940s, the world was entering a decade where veterans of two world wars were adjusting back into civilian life. Many still yearned for the adrenaline or even outright failed in life outside of war. So, it was not uncommon to see some of them spiraled into crime and bonded together in gangs, particularly motorcycle gangs.
This era is when thuggish yet charming looks were often preferred, especially after The Wild One starring Marlon Brando came out. Despite the remaining popularity of the gentlemen in suits, the appeal of being an outlaw wearing a leather jacket on a motorcycle somewhat gained a certain degree of fame.
The Era Of The Cultural Revolution Embraces Various Forms Of Beauty
If the 1950s was an introduction to the more rugged looks in men, the following decades before the year 2000 took it to another level. The 80s saw a huge interest in the bodybuilder type. With the popularity of action movies starring bulkier men like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.
However, the previous decade birthed a curious twist to men’s beauty. The 70s gave a way for the more feminine and androgynous appeal to rise. Björn Andrésen, in the movie Death In Venice, was the first and the most phenomenal icon of this “genre” of men’s beauty.
So much so, Björn’s influence reached other parts of the globe, specifically Japan. The anime industry started taking on his features as the beauty standard in male anime characters, which are often regarded as more feminine compared to the Western media.
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What About The Current Men’s Beauty Standards In Films?
Men’s beauty standards in films seem to be diverse and more inclusive of all beauty types. Recently, Patrick Dempsey got the title 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive. However, there were mentions of much younger actors like Timothée Chalamet to be deserving of the title as well.
For the last two years, it seems men’s beauty has been leaning towards the friendly yet manly man type. I think the rise of superhero movies gives a popularity boost to this type, especially considering the actor for Captain America, Chris Evans, got a similar title in 2022.
So, What’s The Big Deal?
Beauty standards are often unfair to people across the board. However, we’ve realized that unrealistic beauty ideals can lead people, especially women, to be unhappy with their bodies in the long run. The same can be said about men and the idea of men’s ideal body. But, it hasn’t been talked about as much.
Just like women, men can experience body image and mental health issues. What’s concerning about men particularly is that they are less likely to seek help.
The movie industry often puts unrealistic body images at the expense of the actors. Intentional dehydration is a process that actors undergo to emphasize their muscle tone. This is a torturous method that’s common in the industry, yet the majority of people are ignorant of it. It’s important to know that, although movies do show the ideal body that we’d like, it’s not always practical or healthy for daily life.
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