5 movies for strong men with a steely temper. Film Critic’s Choice

culturologist, writer, film critic

“Speaking of strong men, one could stop at ‘Brest Fortress’ or ‘Rambo’. All war movies are actually aimed at the male character, only sometimes it is supplemented by a female image. The theme of strong men is found in many movies and in different genres. Such movies are not watched for the purpose of admiration. Usually the viewer expects to “come, see, win” or to feel “how steel was tempered”.

The viewer wants to show respect to the hero, to understand something for himself, to learn something important and to strengthen inner positions. A movie about men is often not an entertaining movie. In some places the plot acquires features of brutality, and in some places – points to the fact that even a strong man can hesitate, doubt. But this is only for a moment.

We suggest that you watch movies about heroes who are hardened by circumstances stronger than steel, starting with the movie, which at the moment will meet your inner needs.

“Mad Max”, Australia, 1979, directed by George Miller.

The picture, the budget of which was only $ 300 thousand and which collected more than $ 100 million at the box office, with a high probability can survive decades. The hero of Mel Gibson – Max Rockatansky – is experiencing the death of his wife and child. The personal drama was exacerbated by the fact that Max himself works as a cop and catches bad guys, and after what happened to his family, justice consisted of him alone. As he eliminated one adversary after another, Max evolved himself. Much of the transformation of his character is mapped out in one single scene. However, to truly understand the essence of this evolution, it makes sense to observe how Max’s life unfolded before his misfortune.

Vanusepiirang: 16+

“Mad Max”

“Sherlock Holmes”, USA, Germany, UK, Australia, 2009, directed by Guy Ritchie.

Sherlock Holmes was played by many famous actors, but the truly masculine version was played by Robert Downey Jr. Director Guy Ritchie significantly inverted the usual style of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. Instead of depicting Sherlock and his partner Dr. Watson solving mysteries and enjoying a glass of port and a good cigar in their living room, Guy Ritchie placed them in the middle of fist fights, shootouts and chase scenes. Didn’t expect that? That’s just it.

Holmes became a rugged boxer, using not only his physical training but also his mental acuity to deliver strategic punches that knocked his opponent down. He used the same tactics over and over again, which helped him correctly predict his enemies’ moves and organize his own maneuvers. A rather unconventional approach, when the hero’s strength in the ring consisted not in his physical abilities, but in his mental ones.

Vanusepiirangud: 12+

“Sherlock Holmes”.

“Vice for Export”, UK, USA, Canada, 2007, directed by David Cronenberg.

Nikolai Luzhin is a member of the Russian mafia, and he has a rather complex character. He is not a simple stereotypical gangster, but a man who is loyal to his family and is ready to do everything possible to protect it. This character both fascinates and unnerves the viewer, largely due to the fact that in the main role – Danish-American actor Viggo Mortensen, who has repeatedly starred in Alfred Hitchcock. As you can see, this actor is very knowledgeable about how to make the viewer not blink an eye and forget about cold tea at three o’clock in the morning. In order to understand Russians, the actor has traveled to Russia and lived in our country for a couple of months, learning the Russian language.

Vanusepiirangud: 18+

“Vice for Export”

“Temporary Difficulties”, Russia, 2017, directed by Mikhail Raskhodnikov

This movie is based on real events. The main character in the picture is Sasha Saveliev, who comes into the world with a congenital disease. But I think that the more interesting character is the hero’s father. Sometimes he behaves towards his son harshly, sometimes outrageously. His tyranny leads to a logical conclusion and a break with his son. The picture, however, also shows the other side of the story, which turns the idea of a strong male character, because strong character is often confused with tyranny. This movie is a must-see for a reboot.

Vanusepiirang: 12+

“Temporary Difficulties”

“Unforgiven”, Russia, 2018, directed by Sarik Andreasyan

It is difficult to write about this picture, but it is unequivocally about male character and willpower. One of my acquaintances wears shoulder straps and believes that Vitaly Kaloyev planned to do what he did. I cannot comment on such a position, but it is not the deed that is interesting, but the hero’s path through the “black hole”. The movie is about a man, for a man and about a man. It is better to watch it without popcorn, but if you really want to, you can make yourself some coffee and shade the windows. It will be better for the perception of the hero in the movie, not the plot.

“Unforgiven”