John Wayne's Legacy in a Norman Reedus Movie: A Surreal Take on Masculinity
Troy Duffy's 1999 film, 'The Boondock Saints,' caused a stir in the indie film world, and its sequel, 'The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day,' took it a step further with a bizarre scene that pays homage to John Wayne's legacy. This scene, set near the end of the sequel, features a surreal fantasy sequence where the two MacManus brothers, played by Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus, are joined by their deceased friend, David "The Funny Man" Della Rocco. Together, they embark on a rambling, aggressive tirade about the masculine energy of John Wayne, drawing parallels to other tough movie icons like Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson.
The scene begins with the brothers in a bar, smoking and reminiscing about their late friend. Della Rocco appears, and his speech becomes a passionate, almost religious, ode to the idea of masculine energy. He argues that men build things, die, and then rebuild, always bigger and better. He criticizes the "soft" self-help and twelve-step language of the modern world, advocating for the suppression of emotions and the embrace of aggression. This speech is a clear nod to Denis Leary's album 'No Cure for Cancer,' where Leary also raves about the need to restore manliness by unfreezing a cryogenically frozen John Wayne.
The characters in 'The Boondock Saints II' echo this sentiment, emphasizing that John Wayne's masculinity lies in his ability to hide emotions and his relentless drive. They argue that real men don't cry, pout, or discuss their feelings with therapists, and that Wayne's legacy is one of action and strength. This scene, while stylistically unique, raises questions about the portrayal of masculinity and the potential impact of such extreme ideals on modern society.
The film's surreal and stylized approach to this controversial topic adds to the intrigue, leaving audiences with much to ponder and discuss.
