Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Take A Note From Tom Hardy

This summer started off in a bang- a big, explosive, no holds bar, Michael Bay style; bang. This ginormous bang came in the form of George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road(a remake of the original 1980’s movie starring Mel Gibson). For many, the movie went off without a hitch, bringing in rave reviews, critical acclaim, and praise from critics worldwide. On Rotten Tomatoes it received a ninety-seven percent rating. Mad Max: Fury Road also ranked high on New York Times’ Best Movies of 2015 list, which praised George Miller directing one of the “best commercial movies”, and stating that the reader should see this movie on, “the biggest screen you can find”. Many critics sung their elation, and commendation with the way George Miller portrayed strong, independent, and powerful women in his action packed movie, especially when it came to one of the main protagonists, Furiosa. While others…had a more different opinion on the matter. Case in point, the famous incident involving Tom Hardy at a press conference for Mad Max: Fury Road, and a Toronto Star Movie critic asking Tom Hardy in regards to, “As you were reading the script, did you ever think, ‘Why are all these women here? I thought this was supposed to be a man’s movie!’ ” To this, Tom Hardy had one of the best responses, here is this reaction in all its glory:

Video Courtesy of Youtuber, Thash Mose. (May 28, 2015)

This brings up a very important issue about the way people have completely diverted away from the true essence of action movies, and have completely morphed it into assumption. What is that assumption? I’m glad you asked, the assumption is that women cannot play the leading role, or cannot be at the same level of ability as a man, or command the same amount of screen time as their male co-stars. When you ask someone what is in an action movie, they normally respond with big explosives, car chases, a lead male role, a villain, cool stunts, and a James Bond-esque woman playing opposite of the man as a love interest. Action movies are just that- action movies! So what does it matter if there is a man running around in the movie, or a woman is in charge, or they have a dog as the sidekick, or if there is only one fight scene?

It is a movie, a movie is a form of entertainment, so if you are enjoying the movie, does it matter what is in it? Just take it as it is. To quote Nietzsche, “Truths are illusions which we have forgotten are illusions”, when did it come the universal acceptance of action movies being male dominated? It is the unspoken agreement in society, as well as in Hollywood. It is frustrating to hear repeatedly that women cannot be marketed to when it comes to action movies, or that women generally do not like action movies.

Many women actually love action movies, what we don’t love is very bare minimum representation, and over-sexualization of women in said action movies. We have strayed from what action movies are, they have suffered the same fate that Nietzsche has given a monetary coin(with age), the coin has “lost their[its] picture”, and the coin now “matter only as metal”. The same goes with action movies, because we have completely denounced, and disfigured the sole purpose of action movies by attaching them to this notion that only a certain type of person wants to see them, a certain type of gender can be portrayed in them, and a certain type of role can only be executed in them.

Which is all hog wash. So, in the spirit of Tom Hardy, and all the beauty he stands for- follow along with me!

Does an action movie have to have the lead role be a male?

Does the woman in the supporting role have to have a romance with the leading male character?

Does the leading male character always have to be center focus?

Does he always have to be in charge?

Does he always have to be the biggest, baddest, and strongest?

Does the male role/female role have to be a certain body type, a certain sexual orientation, a certain age, or a certain ethnic background?

Do only men want to see action movies?

Can action movies only be tailored to men?

So you see? Action movies are for everyone, whoever they may be! So, take a page from Tom Hardy’s book of being a total badass, and live life accordingly.