Top Gun: Playing with the Boys
Top Gun is one of the most iconic films of all time - and for many, viable reasons. It has transcended throughout Hollywood as a certified gem that has gained many 'classified' followers over the years. With Maverick, Goose and Iceman, you have an amalgamation of intense erotic, masculine sexuality – but is this the solid reason as to why Top Gun has gained such a reputation?
The film centres on an elite air force group obtaining the top 1% of fighter pilots in the United States; only 'the best of the best' attend. Already you would assume that this film would be either a high-flying action film or some kind of factual docu-drama; Top Gun is neither despite trying to keep up appearances. Instead, the film centres on arrogant, little-big-man Lt Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell (Tom Cruise) who is fortunate enough to be a member of the elite pilot academy. You would think that Maverick is from-a-bad-family archetype and would therefore accomplish this kind of endeavour alone but he doesn't. Instead, he brings along his all-time best bud and sidekick LTJG Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) who is tall, has a buzz-cut and a chunky dad-moustache; Maverick is short, with slick hair and an egotistical smile. Already these two characters are distinctive stark contrasts…
These two characters are the conformist heroes of the film whilst Lt Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky (Val Kilmer) and LTJG Ron 'Slider' Kerner (Rick Rossovich) are the infinite anti-heroes. They are confident guys - more confident than Maverick in fact [if possible] - and there seems to be an ongoing feud between the two throughout the film. With comments from 'whose butts did you have to kiss to get in here?' - a comment with which Goose replies 'the list is long, but distinguished.' The boys’ -it is clear that these encounters are oozing with innuendoes from the start; and with a no-holds-barred attitude which is supported by Slider’s 'yeah, well so is my Johnson.'
Iceman makes it clear from the beginning that he loathes Maverick due to the fact that he thinks he’s 'dangerous' - an accusation which Maverick proudly confirms and accentuates. It is evident that – considering we are dealing with men here - Iceman feels threatened by Maverick's presence as a result of him tarnishing something 'classified.' In their classroom sessions, whilst CDR Mike 'Viper' Metcalf (trustee veteran Tom Skerritt) teaches the pilots about the important of missiles, the camera cuts to Wolfman (Barry Tubb) woefully whispering: 'this gives me a hard on’ – a bold statement that is supported by Hollywood (Whip Hubley) claiming: 'don't tease me.' These sexual comments are initiated whilst videos of large missile planes are shown in the background; the classic phallic analogy if ever there was one. Additionally, when the pilots are seen wet and steamy coming out of the shower in nothing but a towel, Iceman comically states that 'the plague for the alternates is down in the ladies room' - this 'plague' being the 'other' side of sexuality, i.e. heterosexuality.
Now enters Charlie (Kelly McGillis); the archetypal if not unnecessary female character in the equation. Charlie is introduced immediately in a heightened scene in which she is 'wooed' in a bar surrounded by the MIG pilots. Maverick and Goose use their generic pick-up technique by singing The Righteous Brothers’ 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'' – as if their heads weren’t big enough. The gang starts singing as they manage to serenade the soon-to-be-civilian contractor who just so happens to have a PhD. As the bona fide female, I’m sure you’re wondering why she isn’t as generic, flashy or candidly slutty in terms of appearance? I'll tell you why: she is transcended and uncovered as masculine as the film escalates. A blonde? Yes. But she is wearing a baggy polo shirt that is covered predominantly by what can only be an old lady's cardigan – which is refreshing for a female viewer I might add. Nonetheless, she is swooned with Maverick already but subsequently instigates that 'it takes more than just fancy flying' to get her into bed. When Maverick drives over to her house, she assumes that intercourse will evidently take place - but it does not. The next time we see Charlie, she is wearing a pilot’s leather jacket and a baseball cap covering her hair; emulating a more masculine and less feminine demeanor.
One the other hand, one of Top Gun’s most iconic scenes [Okay, my favourite scene] is when Maverick, Goose, Iceman and Slider encounter in a spontaneous game of volleyball. Naturally, when a group of men meet in a game of sport there is usually an increased competitive nature pouring out so vigorously that it’s almost embarrassing; in Top Gun, it is quite the contrary. Instead of shouting and yelling, the group merely wipe their sweaty, muscly brows as they cheer each other throughout the game; showing moral support throughout continuous ‘woo hoos’ and slaps on the butt. Slider continues to pose with his flawless physique whilst Iceman shows off his innate fingering skills. Now what makes this scene more blatant in its homoeroticism is the seriously strong Kenny Loggins song 'Playing with the Boys'. Is there really sporting going on here? No. Playing? Oh yes. As well as this blatant desire for virile play, Maverick, Slider and Iceman are topless throughout the game; showing off their impressive and available physiques. The only member not showing off their torso is Goose who is wearing a loose tank top. Why? Because he is married – therefore warning himself off as unavailable to the boys.
Although presented as secondary, Goose is the film's most crucial character as he is the catalyst representing the heterosexuality encoded throughout Top Gun. Goose is the only married character in the film and instigates early on that he does not play safe in such a 'dangerous' setting, unlike Maverick and the guys. Goose is married to Carol (Meg Ryan) with whom he has a child; he continues to tell his best friend that he plays safe for the well-being of his family; he is the one who keeps Maverick 'safe' from his opposing contenders and the only one encouraging him to pursue a relationship with Charlie.
When Maverick and Goose first arrive at the Top Gun airbase, Maverick states: 'Goose, even you could get laid in a place like this' – i.e. a place in which homosexuality is at its peak. But this affirmation is overlooked by Goose as soon as he is reunited with his wife - which Goose is happy about and secure with his standardised form; noted when Carol gleams 'Goose, you big stud! Take me to bed or lose me forever' to which his reply is 'just show me the way home, honey!' It is evident that Goose is the only character in the film who is openly comfortable with his sexuality.
Maverick is under the assumption that he is also content [he's not]; with Charlie clearly trying to find out for herself as she continues to woo Maverick. After another encounter, and a confused conversation in the men's bathroom, Maverick decides to sleep with Charlie – which is depicted in one of the most contrived sex scenes in movie history. This is a scene that is not only unnecessary but uncomfortable, tacky and redundant. However, it is clarified that Maverick – after taking Charlie for a test ride, literally - has chosen which side he wants to take by affirming: 'Too close for missiles; I'm switching to guns.'
Having said that, this decision is again thrown up in the air after the tragic death of Goose. Naturally, Maverick is distraught about his friend's death, even moreso than Goose’s wife who is later seen comforting Maverick at her home instead of the other way around. She continues to support Maverick through this difficult time by saying 'he loved flying with you Maverick' as she then gives him Goose's dog-tags; an irreplaceable item by which the wife customarily retrieves. As a result of Goose's death, Maverick concludes that he should give Charlie one more try because that’s what Goose would have wanted.
Finally, after a 'crisis situation' unfolds whilst the guys are up in the air, Maverick and Iceman decide to end their feud once and for all and attempt to become friends [and by friends I mean lovers]. The subliminal sexuality crisis is finally concluded and confirmed by Maverick after Iceman announces 'you can be my wingman anytime' - to which Maverick replies 'bullshit, you can be mine.’
Top Gun is a revelation and a true masterpiece of Hollywood cinema: this film subverts the norms of cinematic sexuality; rejuvenates the codes and conventions of Classical Hollywood Cinema; and challenges the conformist, tiresome and downright offensive Male Gaze theory that we women are so god damn tired of. Female characters are not used as menial objects for once and males are incorporated in order to subvert the deemed heterosexual and homosexual tendencies. Top Gun is a landmark in mainstream cinema and one that introduced us to different kind of Danger Zone.