I’ve been thinking about for weeks the word Furiosa uses to describe Max and Nux when they meet the Vuvalini:
“They’re reliable.”
Max and Nux are not “nice.” They are not “good.” They are reliable. I feel like this was a very deliberate word choice.
Women everywhere have experiences of dudes saying they’re “good” or “nice” in order to garner respect from women, as a way to tell women they’re trustworthy, not to be wary of them. But we all now how often men do not live up to this. “Good” and “nice” have become empty adjectives.
“Reliable” is different. “Reliable” is based in action, in deeds. In the world of Mad Max, words and promises mean nothing – only action matters. Max and Nux are reliable because they have proven numerous times they can follow orders from Furiosa and the Wives, listen to them, believe what they say, and then step back and shut up.
Max and Nux do not barge in with their opinions of what the Vuvalini should do, only making suggestions when asked, and then stepping back while the women decide what to do. They know they’re not the ones in charge by virtue of being men. They never once question the way Furiosa and the Vuvalini carry out their plans. They do not let their precious man feelings get in the way of getting shit done and surviving. They are reliable.