Since you’re reading this article, it’s safe to assume you like looking at penises. Right now you might even have multiple tabs open where you can gawk at plenty of dick. Despite the abundance of them online, anytime an actor flashes their cock in cinema or on television it’s still a little shocking (especially in the United States). This contrast fascinates us and is worth looking into further. We think the portrayal of full frontal male nudity in film provides a unique lens through which we can examine how cinema reflects and influences societal views and attitudes.

At Natural Pursuits, we champion a vision of ‘casual nudity,’ grounded in body neutrality and radical acceptance. Frequently, nudity in film is anything but casual. Filmmakers understand they are including something taboo that has an impact on the narrative and audience perceptions.

In our series ‘Dicks in Flicks,’ we’re going to take a deep dive into male nudity in film and television. To kick things off, we’re focusing on the use of nudity in comedy and action movies. Examining these genres provides insights into societal perceptions of the male body, nudity, and masculinity, exploring the implications of these portrayals.

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Comedy’s Take on Full Frontal: Taboos and Stereotypes

In cinema and television, comedy often mirrors societal attitudes. This is certainly the case when it comes to the portrayal of full frontal male nudity. These comedic narratives, rife with gags about unexpected exposure or exaggerated displays, offer insights into what our culture thinks naked men. We looked at a lot of scenes in comedies with male full frontal nudity and found some commonalities.

Vulnerability and Embarrassment

Scenarios of accidental exposure are a common comedic device, often serving as the punchline in films like “American Reunion” (2012). In this movie, Jason Biggs’ character once again gets caught jacking off, effectively illustrating how male nudity is frequently portrayed as awkward or embarrassing. This treatment underscores societal discomfort with male vulnerability, spotlighting the stigma and shame often associated with male nudity and sexuality.

Objectification and Size Stereotypes

Also common are jokes about genital size, as seen in both “Futureman” (2017) and “Hall Pass” (2011). These objectify the male body by linking masculinity to physical attributes. In ‘Futureman,’ Josh Hutcherson’s character is depicted with an oversized penis after swapping dicks with another, more masculine character [don’t ask], highlighting the media’s fixation on size as a measure of masculinity. Similarly, ‘Hall Pass’ features a scene where Owen Wilson’s character is comically juxtaposed with Thaddeus Rahming’s notable endowment, further emphasizing size stereotypes while also playing on elements of homophobia. These instances highlight how such humor can perpetuate damaging beliefs about body image, masculinity, and sexuality.

Discomfort and Taboo

Deliberate and gratuitous displays of nudity, exemplified by Sacha Baron Cohen’s film ‘Brüno’ (2009), bring to light the deeply ingrained taboo surrounding the naked male form. In this film, Cohen’s prolonged close-up nude scene directly confronts the viewer. The intention is to leverage societal unease with the male body to make his audience uncomfortable, illustrating the dichotomy in how male and female nudity are perceived and portrayed. While female nudity has been objectified and normalized to some extent in media, male nudity often remains shrouded in stigma and shock value.

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Action Films: Confronting Masculinity Through Vulnerability

In action movies, the depiction of full frontal male nudity frequently acts as a significant narrative element, reflecting broader societal perspectives. Much like in comedy, where it mirrors societal attitudes, in action films, nudity is used to explore themes of vulnerability, torture, and emasculation. These trends provide a window into cultural beliefs about masculinity and strength in contexts of conflict and power.

Vulnerability

In action films, male nudity is often employed as an effective means to render characters more vulnerable. A prime example is seen in ‘Eastern Promises’ (2007), where Viggo Mortensen’s character confronts adversaries in a sauna. The scene’s significance lies in how it bare of any protective layer, both physically and symbolically. Here, nudity enhances the intensity of the confrontation, elevating the sense of risk and exposure. Though Mortensen’s character ultimately overcomes his opponents, this moment significantly departs from the conventional, invincible action hero archetype, instead presenting a scene of raw, unshielded vulnerability where physical prowess is starkly contrasted with the exposed human form.

Torture

In action films, scenes of torture involving male nudity often serve to deconstruct and examine deep-seated societal beliefs about masculinity and strength. In ‘Casino Royale’ (2006), the use of nudity in a brutal torture scene featuring Daniel Craig’s character reveals much about these themes. Stripping away the typical image of the suave, untouchable spy, this scene exposes a raw vulnerability. The nudity here does more than just amplify the character’s helplessness; it challenges traditional notions of masculine resilience and fortitude. As the character confronts this extreme ordeal, the stark nakedness not only intensifies the audience’s discomfort but also lays bare the often unspoken societal expectation that true strength must withstand even the most vulnerable situations. Similar to the last example, this scene suggests that real masculinity is not defined by invulnerability, but rather by the courage and stamina to face and endure one’s most vulnerable moments.

Emasculation

Nudity is a cinematic tool used to symbolize emasculation. A stark illustration of this is seen in ‘Caligula’ (1979). This film delves into the concept of emasculation through the lens of historical nudity, using it as a potent symbol for powerlessness. In this portrayal, nudity becomes an emblem of a fall from grace, signaling a complete stripping away of power and dignity. The scene depicting the removal of Donato Placido’s penis can be viewed as the ultimate representation of a man’s authority and strength. The loss of this symbol within the film is not only a literal depiction of emasculation but also a metaphorical illustration of the character’s total loss of control and status, powerfully conveying the depth of his downfall.

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Understanding Masculinity Through Full Frontal Male Nudity in Film

The exploration of full frontal male nudity in comedy and action film and television offers look at societal attitudes towards masculinity, vulnerability, and gender norms.

In comedies like ‘American Reunion’ and ‘Brüno’, male nudity often highlights awkwardness and societal discomfort with male vulnerability. This contrasts sharply with the more normalized, objectified portrayal of female nudity. This difference reflects a deep-rooted cultural unease with the male form. Meanwhile, ‘Futureman’ and ‘Hall Pass’ focus on genital size, objectifying the male body and linking masculinity to the size of your dick, which perpetuates damaging stereotypes about body image and sexuality.

Action films such as ‘Eastern Promises,’ ‘Casino Royale,’ and ‘Caligula’ take a different approach, portraying male bodies in states of vulnerability and emasculation. This subverts the typical invulnerable, hyper-masculine action hero trope. It may suggest that true masculinity involves overcoming all vulnerabilities or it may propose a more nuanced understanding of strength, one that values the courage found in vulnerability and challenges the patriarchal association of physical virility with power.

The interpretation of these lessons can either reinforce traditional beliefs about masculinity, suggesting that men should always be strong and overcome obstacles, or they can be a catalyst for change, encouraging a broader acceptance of diverse expressions of masculinity and vulnerability as integral parts of the human experience.

In essence, these cinematic examples underscore the need for redefining strength and masculinity in contemporary media. They highlight the importance of more diverse and inclusive representations, resonating with ideologies that seek to dismantle traditional gender norms.

As our series continues, we aim to further explore these complex portrayals and their implications for our current societal stance on male nudity, masculinity, and identity.