The "Fem" Man

This week I watched "27 Dresses" again. In addition to being a great movie, it also has tons of examples of different types of femininity in action. This week I wanted to address "the feminine man." The lead male role in the movie is Kevin, played by James Marsden. Kevin is a writer for the New York Journal. Immediately you think of nice "manly" positions such as business or sports. But, no such luck for Kevin. He works writing wedding announcements. This section is one is the most feminine, mushy, romantic parts of the paper. Kevin writes under the pseudonym, Malcom. He tells Jane this is to avoid being mobbed by brides desperate to be featured in the paper. However, one has to wonder if he is simply trying to hide the fact that he has such a feminine career. Kevin gives off a very cocky vibe. He tries to act like a very "manly" man. He is very cynical, and he says he thinks marriage is like slavery. We later find out that his cynicism is merely a cover up for his emotions. Being emotional and showing your feelings is a feminine trait. Society does not approve of men being overly sappy. Kevin later admits to Jane that he "cried like a baby" at one of the more emotional weddings that he covered. When Kevin and Jane are having one of their arguments about marriage, we find out that his fiance cheated on him with his college roommate. First off, this gives us insight into the source of his cynicism and negativity towards love and marriage. Second, this situation is odd because men are stereotyped as the cheaters, not the one who is cheated on. Kevin's character demonstrates to viewers that having feminine traits is okay for a man. Not living up to society's guidelines of manliness do not make him less of a man.