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It is Laura Mulvey who coined the term ‘the male gaze’, (Harper,2000: 202). This was a term used to describe the fact that the viewers of films ‘identify with’ the male protagonist of the film, therefore internalising the sense of male power which is gained from gazing at the women and controlling events in the film (Mulvey,1992: 28). ... My argument is laid out in two sections. First, I will state the main themes and characters in Heartbreakers, subsequently highlighting its main depictions of the male gaze. Secondly, I will state the main themes and characters in What Women Want, subsequently underscoring its purpose as a film for the female gaze, despite it’s depictions of the male gaze. ... Their two male ‘victims’ are Dean, played by Ray Liotta, and a tobacco company millionaire, William Tempsey, played by Gene Hackman.
Heartbreakers sells itself as a film which depicts the empowerment of women, in which the women are a ‘fetish’ for the male viewers, rendering them comforting rather than perilous, despite their unscrupulous actions. ... However, I will show that Heartbreakers would be more appropriate as a film for a male, rather than a female gaze, primarily because the two main characters are beautiful Hollywood actresses, who in the majority of scenes are wearing tight-fitting or revealing outfits. The concern here, is that, as female sexuality is the main focus of the film, it would inevitably be the focus of the male characters, the camera and, in turn, the film’s viewers, thus naturalising the characterisation of the women as sexual objects.
There are several sections in Heartbreakers in which there is a play on the male gaze, shown in the way that the two female characters use their sexuality as a tool for obtainment. ... Here, Tempsey’s gaze is focussed on her exposed cleavage. ...
There are also several points in Heartbreakers in which both the camera and male characters gaze at the female assets of Page and Max. ... It could be argued that this, coupled with the women’s purposeful use of their sexuality, is for the sole purpose of the movement of the films plot. Conversely, one could say that it halts the storyline by dwelling on the female image, and is therefore used as an instrument for the male gaze. ... As they both approach the man, the camera gazes at Page’s breasts whilst Max’s legs are the focus of the gaze. These gazes from the camera give the impression that it’s views are from the male character’s perspectives.
However, it is not only the two women who are the objects of the male gaze.
Approximate Word count = 2163
Approximate Pages = 8.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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