In this excellent collection of essays (part of an on-going series of sexual politics texts from Cassell), Mark Simpson, as the book's subtitle states, explores the idea of 'men performing masculinities'. His focus is on the ways gay masculinities are represented, and subverted, in popular culture, and how masculine gender identities are no more than a facade. The multiplicity of masculinities which exist emphasise 'the crisis of identity that face men today' (p.6).
Simpson provides comprehensive studies of many aspects of popular culture including cinema, advertisements, sport, documentary, gay porn films, shopping, the cult of bodybuilding and rap music. In so doing we are offered an insight into the masculinities of Marky Mark, Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood and Jeff Stryker, and an often cutting and inspired interpretation of how they reflect changes within society.
The most pleasing aspect of the book is how the author carefully blends the journalistic with the academic without ever failing to provide clear, and entertaining, analysis. My major complaint is his uncritical reference to Freudian psychoanalysis. On occasions this allows him to be the epitome of insightfulness, on others it comes across as a dogged determination to prove his point, best exemplified in his near argument with an interviewee about his friends suppressed homosexuality. The importance placed on Freudian thought seems to be proposed at the expense of other valid considerations, such as feminist interpretations, although it is evident that Simpson is unequivocally supportive of these.
Because of his sometimes hostile criticism, Mark Simpson will not endear himself to all his readers. Early on he states his opposition to those who have declared 'war on war against men', and so those enamoured with the mytho-poetic movement will not appreciate his queer comparison of Iron John and The Unforgiven in the chapter IRON CLINT. The author's avowed intent is to subject these men to the queer gaze that frightens them so much. I'm sure that many film fans will also have their illusions shattered by his 'outing' of Laurel and Hardy, whilst his examination of The Crying Game will leave those who hailed the film as a positive turning point in the representation of gays and transvestites in cinema to reflect on just how unchallenging the movie really was.
Although the garish cover may have you running for your sunglasses, overall the essays are thoroughly enjoyable challenges to the taken-for-granted heterosexuality of popular culture. The book is essential for anyone who refuses to accept traditional notions of masculinity.
Matthew Shepherd
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