The Butch Factor

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Audience Member A rather interesting Logo documentary addressing the issue of masculinity in gay culture, specifically what it is like not to fit in with the camp pop culture obsessed gay stereotype and become part of the community. It is mostly a talking head doc speaking to gay men who defy the "usual" stereotype and play sports, work blue collar jobs, a prison guard, even gay cowboys. There is also the counterpoint of effeminate guys who were always challenged about their masculinity so were forced to come out earlier and build up a defence against the latent homophobia Does a great job of balancing both perspectives, but could have done with a bit more history. A worthy watch though. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member The thing about this film that I couldn't quite figure out is whether the filmmaker set out to challenge the idea of heteronormative masculinity in gay culture, whether he's doing a little hero worship, or whether he's dissecting it to expose the sad heart at the center. There's a little bit of all of that. The editing is unfortunate, but I did appreciate that all the posturing and self-loathing homophobic patriarchal bullshit was tempered with insight and perspective from thoughtful and self-aware intellectuals and self-proclaimed sissyboys. The history lesson about the Castro clones and "gay bitchiness" and its provenance were especially welcome. The ultimate message, though, that all gay men come to their own understanding of what it means to be a "man" and they do with it what they can? It didn't quite develop for me. In the end the whole thing just left me cold. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member The Butch Factor wants to showcase different kinds of gay men in an effort to reinforce the notion everyone comes to their version of masculinity a different way. That's all well and good, though it strikes out in the editing department. Instead of including quick look backs at history late in the film, they should be front and center in order to compare where masculinity was to where it is. Plus, with a deputy sheriff, rugby player, football player, rodeo cowboy and softball player, the film is top loaded with the "normal" version of masculinity even though each of the men profiled came to their particular masculinity in a different way. This almost feels like an elongated piece for a news magazine instead of a feature film. The stories are short, the personalities don't reappear later in the film and the thesis is, quite frankly, more than a bit boring. (I think the point here is to say everyone is worthy of respect, courtesy and love regardless of how they act, what they wear or how they talk.) The Butch Factor gets a little preachy toward the end with the introduction of an author who is almost dismissive of current "twink" gay culture. That part, at the very least, could have been left out since it comes off as little more than a grown man whining. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting documentary about the different cross sections of gay men. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member The Butch Factor wants to showcase different kinds of gay men in an effort to reinforce the notion everyone comes to their version of masculinity a different way. That's all well and good, though it strikes out in the editing department. Instead of including quick look backs at history late in the film, they should be front and center in order to compare where masculinity was to where it is. Plus, with a deputy sheriff, rugby player, football player, rodeo cowboy and softball player, the film is top loaded with the "normal" version of masculinity even though each of the men profiled came to their particular masculinity in a different way. This almost feels like an elongated piece for a news magazine instead of a feature film. The stories are short, the personalities don't reappear later in the film and the thesis is, quite frankly, more than a bit boring. (I think the point here is to say everyone is worthy of respect, courtesy and love regardless of how they act, what they wear or how they talk.) The Butch Factor gets a little preachy toward the end with the introduction of an author who is almost dismissive of current "twink" gay culture. That part, at the very least, could have been left out since it comes off as little more than a grown man whining. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Great eye candy! Was nice to see a bunch of men that just happen to be gay. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Butch Factor

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