How To Be A Man

How To Be A Man is a feature-length comedy film released in 2013. The film is an insightful exploration of masculinity, fatherhood, and identity, portrayed through an unconventional and humorous lens. A compelling narrative, interspersed with hearty laughs, forms the crux of the movie.

Set in Brooklyn, New York, the film revolves around the life of Mark McCarthy, a former stand-up comedian, played by Gavin McInnes, who co-wrote the film with his director, Chadd Harbold. Known for his semi-autobiographical, comedic reflections on masculinity and gender roles in modern society, McInnes turns in a fantastic performance, fleshing out his character with credible depth and genuine emotions.

As McCarthy finds out he is dying, he starts grappling with the fear of leaving no tangible legacy. He is particularly troubled by the thought of his yet-unborn son growing up without his guidance or understanding of what it is to 'be a man.' In the face of this existential crisis, Mark decides that he will leave behind a series of lessons and anecdotes on manhood for his unborn son recorded on videotapes.

To assist with filming these 'lessons', he hires a young, amateur filmmaker Bryan, portrayed expertly by Liam Aiken, who forms the other half of the central duo of the movie. Bryan’s introverted personality, contrasting lifestyle, and modern views on masculinity serve as an interesting foil to Mark’s blatantly aggressive and traditional outlook on manhood.

Mark’s lectures on manliness range from the funny, outrageous, and sometimes dangerous but are always bizarrely insightful. Along the shared journey of creating this tapestry of life lessons, a special bond evolves between the older, flamboyant Mark and Bryan, the lost adolescent who is just finding his way around living and manhood.

Providing excellent support to the two leads are Megan Neuringer, who plays Mark’s understanding pregnant wife, and Helen Rogers, who plays Bryan’s girlfriend. Both characters challenge and contribute to the narrative’s evolving notions of masculinity and identity, showing that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to life - and that things are never as simple as they seem.

The film successfully taps into the multiple layers of emotions that tie into growing up, exploring the value of mentorship, friendship, and how shared experiences can span the generation gap. There's an underlying thread of latent masculinity that each of them—Mark, Bryan and even the women in the story—learn to understand and redefine in their own unique ways.

The tone of How To Be A Man is establishes quite effortlessly from the outset. Directed meticulously by Chadd Harbold, the film’s visual storytelling style is gripping and keeps you engaged throughout. The screenplay embraces comedy and drama, interweaving both in such a manner that respects and progresses the narrative simultaneously. It articulately uses humor to confront and address serious issues, bolstered by situational gags and quirky dialogue.

How To Be A Man raises poignant questions about how society constructs gender roles and expectations. It employs the comedic premise to engage in and foster dialogue on these weighty topics, simultaneously managing to draw belly laughs from its audience. However, at its core, this film is much more than just a comedy. It's a heartfelt exploration of the various aspects of manhood, both the ones glorified and those unmentioned.

McInnes and Aiken are terrific in their roles and boast excellent chemistry. They manage to bring out the subtleties of their characters, making them relatable and real. Their interactions breathe life into the film, make it engaging, warm, and philosophically rich.

In conclusion, How To Be A Man is an engaging and insightful watch. It humorously comments on the established norms society sets about masculinity identity and the unwritten rules men are expected to follow. Its strength lies in its robust characterization and ability to transition smoothly between light-hearted humor and engaging socio-cultural discourse.

This film appeals to all the lovers of comedy as well as those looking for thought-provoking content subtly packed in a light-hearted narrative. Be ready to laugh, think, and be moved by the wonderful acting and pithy dialogue. One thing’s for sure, viewers will find themselves reflecting on the age-old question, what it means to 'be a man,' through an entirely new lens.