How does you media product represent particular social groups?
Brothers (2009)
In Brothers Tobey Maguire plays Capt. Sam Cahill, an active soldier out on the front lines in the war in Afghanistan. Before leaving on his second tour in Afghanistan, Marine Captain Sam Cahill, a leader, an athlete, a good husband and father. Sam's helicopter is shot down and all are presumed dead. Sam survives the crash and is kept hostage, he is made to kill his own comrade on camera in a sick, twisted joke by the Taliban. This cause's immense psychological problems, Sam is left traumatised from the incident.
Click image to see in detail
The main character in our opening sequence (Jack) strongly relates to this character. Suffering deeply from post-traumatic stress disorder, Jack is haunted by seeing the death of his brother on tour in Iraq in 2010. 2 years later his at boiling point, about to fall apart. His tattered trousers, plain t-shirt and old shoes show since what happened he has given up on everyone and everything. His completely alone.
Sam and Jack both share very similar costumes; white top, casual trousers and boots. They're very simple in their style, this emphasizes the stereotypical plain personality of a soldier. Sam and Jack both being males, reinforces the stereotype of soldiers being males, who are related to violence, blood and war, which juxtaposes their symbolic white shirts. However, both characters have emotions bundling up inside, and their almost silent roles do not help to extract these strong feelings and emotions. Consequently, they're exerted in a time of madness. Sam wakes up in the middle of the night and threatens to shoot his brother, whereas Jack keeps having flash backs from what happens and swears to kill anyone that had anything to do with his brothers death.
This strain, though concealed in word, is clear on the surface.
Categories:
