When the concept of male characters struggling in cinema was brought up, I immediately jumped to Charlie Kaufman’s films, which usually center on submissive male protagonists not exactly sure of how to be assertive with the 21st century breathing down their neck (thanks Morrissey).
John Cusack in Being John Malkovich, Nicholas Cage in Adaptation, and Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind deal with various dilemmas. The former two have occupational crises, both being skilled at what they do (puppetry and screenwriting) but lack the confidence to appreciate it, even if others applaud their efforts. All three have relationship issues, often being too meek to approach the people they like without being plagued with self doubt, move over Alvey Singer, there’s a new neurotic force in town.
Nathan just made a nice observation that I think can be agreed on, it’s hard to be perceived as a masculine figure without subscribing to the rigid structure of gender roles. Wearing the pants in the relationship and drinking Budweiser is the sole way be your own man. Furthermore, metrosexuality has thrown us into even larger confusion. So I don’t spend an hour getting ready before going out (though I definitely floss) and I also don’t spend Sunday afternoon watching the big game. Well what the hell am I? Neither rough and ready nor slick and well groomed…well the one thing I know is that I’m not alone, because I think the larger population falls outside of these two planes. Kaufman’s characters fall outside as well.