MovieChat Forums > Soldier (1998) Discussion > PTSD and Post-Modern Machismo

PTSD and Post-Modern Machismo

posted 9 years ago by halken_no1
6 replies | jump to latest

I couldn't help but feel bad for Todd and all the other soldiers. I think one of the major themes in this movie is the post-modern man and his clinging to the archetype of manhood born from the Iron Age; the Iron Man.

This movie is taking Post-Modern Industrial Machismo to its logical conclusion; a *beep* MACHINE. Funny how Machismo and Machine are similar linguistically (not to mention the overtly natural behaviors they associate).

Very interesting theme, even if poorly executed.

Almost a deconstruction of the Macho Action-Man flicks of yore (Arnold, Sly, Van Damme etc).

[–] shadesofhades 9 years ago

Good points.

Machismo is also almost an anagram of masochism.

[–] the_zookeeper 9 years ago

After reading this thread, I wondered about the giant pipe Todd is forced into before the community realizes he was trying to teach the little boy to kill the dangerous snakes. I guess that was his man cave.

The gene pool could use a little chlorine......

[–] lostsok0523-654-279444 9 years ago

The party scene about 40 minutes in is a clear suggestion that DWP was writing about PTSD. When you think about it, Will Munny had PTSD, too. He had nightmares about the horrors of his earlier killing that shock him to a truly spiritual level.

The difference is that Eastwood's Unforgiven character had simply devolved into alcohol abuse, and a general lack of empathy, where ToDD is a created killer. He had no choice but to become who he was...

However, the OP is obviously correct: this movie is very much about PTSD in someone utterly unequipped to even realize he's suffering.

[–] krypton_son 8 years ago

I think one of the major themes in this movie is the post-modern man and his clinging to the archetype of manhood born from the Iron Age; the Iron Man.

What's wrong with that exactly? In a world where effeminate men and sissys are running wild, why not try to bring back strong masculine men? That's part of what's wrong with this world nowadays. The sissys are taking over and and being run over by cultures and countries that still have real men. The only problem is that those men are bullies, but there are less and less real men to stand up to them.

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dies ist meine unterschrift

[–] skuggvarg-13 8 years ago

I agree.

Nothing wrong with being the strong silent type.

[–] judsonkr 8 years ago

No points for repeating something you heard one of your inane professors going on about.
The only reason you are hear is because of this Machismo.

You don't think we crawled out of the primordial ooze and became the dominant species on Earth with hugs and participation trophies do you?