If you ever decide to make a list of all the actors in Hollywood you find attractive, we bet Ryan Reynolds would be in the top 5 if not wearing the crown.
There is no doubt that Reynolds has enough appeal to make both men and women around the world stop and appreciate his perfect appearance.
This is why when we heard that Reynolds was about to appear in a commercial for perfume, we became very anxious to see it.
However, this commercial has turned out completely different from usual perfume commercials which have a way of objectifying both men and women in some way and/or form.
Instead of all that, Reynolds and his co-star on the commercial, Elodie Yung, are seen going after one another in a funny, playful, and of course, intimate manner, emphasizing the humanness of their selves. This has prompted Reynolds to deliver his insights on toxic masculinity as well.
Masculinity Has Changed
While talking to ELLE, Reynolds emphasized that the ideas that define masculinity in a particular way, which have been used in media for many decades now, have become outdated in this day and age.
Now we are fast moving towards a norm whereby people, regardless of their gender, are independent and equal. That is why this perfume commercial makes sure that one gender is not chasing the other, and rather it is shown as a two-way street.
Through The Eyes of Reed Moreno
This commercial has been made by Reed Moreno, who also produced as well as directed The Handmaid’s Tale. According to Reynolds, he has a lot of respect for Moreno not only because she is a dear friend of his, but also because he respects her work as a filmmaker. The visuals of this commercial are reminiscent of the way French cinema used to be like back in the ‘70s, which is understandable considering Moreno is a huge fan of the same.
A major reason why this commercial may have found it necessary to redefine the idea of masculinity, at least in perfume commercials, is that its director is a woman. Regardless, Reynolds is fully onboard with the new definition and has called it an exciting shift from an antiquated idea to one that is more aligned with the future.
Growing Up in a Masculine Environment
According to Reynolds, he grew up in a household with three brothers and a father who was not only a boxer but also a cop, so understandably there was a strict definition of being manly.
However, as time passed and as he grew older, Reynolds realized the importance of striking a balance between the feminine and the masculine sides of his personality, and embracing each and every part of his being.
But when it comes to personal grooming, Reynolds is old-school, preferring to not use any products apart from the very basic ones, such as shampoo and soap, and perhaps a moisturizer when things get really dry and he wants to protect his face from cracking up.