Reading the Bromance
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| image courtesy of Wayne State University Press |
This anthology of essays explores the social and cultural functions of the bromance phenomenon across numerous contemporary films and television programs such as The Hangover, Y tu mama tambien, Seinfeld, Friends, Humpday, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and I Love You, Man. Prof. DeAangelis contributes his own essay in which he examines how the bromance functions in the film Superbad. Other contributors include Hilary Radner, Murray Pomerance, Nick Davis, David Greven, Meheli Sen, Jenna Weinman, Ken Feil, Peter Forster, Dominic Lennard and Ron Becker.
Advance Reviews:
Everything you always wanted to know about the bromance, but were afraid to ask! This new volume explores contemporary masculinity, homosocial desire, and homosexual/homophobic knowing as it plays out across film and TV texts such as I Love You, Man, Superbad, The Wire, Jackass, and Humpday. In thoughtful and provocative ways, DeAngelis and his authors cover the history, forms, and multiple meanings of this curious phenomenon. Essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary models of gender and sexuality.
– Harry M. Benshoff, professor of radio, TV, and film at University of North Texas and author of Dark Shadows (Wayne State University Press, 2011)
This lively and perceptive collection of essays posits the ‘bromance’ film as an ambivalent response to gay liberation and the women’s movement that allows for expanded representations of male intimacy even when operating within heteronormativity. Reading the Bromance is a valuable volume for those who want to understand the role of gender and sexuality in contemporary popular cinema.
– Mary Desjardins, author of Recycled Stars: Female Film Stardom in the Age of Television and Video and co-editor of Dietrich Icon
Reading the Bromance's remarkably sophisticated essays analyze the twisted generic complexity of a long history of representing male-male relations. Studying the formula's homosocial and heteronormative behaviors, these authors demonstrate how these texts permit fluid cultural and social adventures involving emotions, maturity, gender, taste, and physicality. A terrific collection.
– Janet Staiger, William P. Hobby Centennial Professor Emeritus in Communication and professor emeritus of women’s and gender studies
