On the Media EXTENDED VERSION: Michael Douglas Movies And The Crisis Of Masculinity
13 snips
Jul 23, 2025 
Jessa Crispin, a critic and editor-in-chief of The Culture We Deserve, dives into her book discussing the crisis of masculinity through Michael Douglas's films. She explores gender dynamics in classics like 'Fatal Attraction,' revealing the tension between evolving norms and societal expectations. Crispin also critiques media portrayals of women post-divorce and examines male identity in the context of modern relationships. With humor and insight, she unpacks the nostalgia for traditional masculinity while addressing the challenges men face today in a rapidly changing world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Origins of Women's Feminist Awakening
- The understanding of women's unhappiness in limited societal roles began at France's Pétier-Saint Hospital in the 19th century.
- This shifted the view from female frailty to broader social and political recognition, sparking feminism.
Michael Douglas as Male Hysteric
- Michael Douglas' 80s-90s films portray a male hysteric struggling with masculinity, not a confident new man.
- These characters feel threatened and expect the world to adapt to them rather than change themselves.
Fatal Attraction's Gender Politics
- Fatal Attraction reveals sexual politics where successful men discard mistresses, who lack property or financial freedom.
- The trope shows women as disposable and highlights tensions between feminists and trad wives.
