Love On Screen

[dis_netis]

I've been thinking about love. Specifically, love and romance as portrayed in films and tv shows and why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In the past few days I've watched Tuck Everlasting and The Magic of Ordinary Days (unsatisfying love stories) and The Painted Veil and North and South (satisfying love stories). I've been trying to

Comments

[gen717]

I agree whole-heartedly. And in this vein:

"Can I also say that my current favourite TV ship is Arthur/Gwen (Merlin). Their relationship began because of their flaws (Arthur's arrogance, Gwen's speaking out of turn (which in that period it definitely was a flaw)) and loving each other in spite of and because of those flaws."

... is why I don't buy the Lancelot/Guinevere lovestory as it's presented on the show. It's too much like your first description, which is not a depiction of a satisfying love story. :D

[dis_netis]

... is why I don't buy the Lancelot/Guinevere lovestory as it's presented on the show. It's too much like your first description, which is not a depiction of a satisfying love story. :D

Good point! I didn't think of this, but you're right- its the shining, happy sort of love that bonds people together in adversity that usually lasts until the end of the film and the 'happily ever after'- but not much past that. Its not very meaningful and not very realistic.

[hmsharmony]

... is why I don't buy the Lancelot/Guinevere lovestory as it's presented on the show. It's too much like your first description, which is not a depiction of a satisfying love story. :D

Oh, this, this, and THIS. Of course part of it is due to the fact that Lancelot has had two episodes (can't exactly write an epic love story in an hour and a half), but even then it's just them being all, "Okay, right, I love you now! LET'S GO KISS AND FROLIC AND BE A LAME VERSION OF ANGSTY AND WHATNOT!" They're basically being thrown together and...that's it. There's nothing to overcome, Lancelot basically worships the ground on which Gwen stands...it's not a partnership, and it's CERTAINLY not a relationship.

[dis_netis]

There's nothing to overcome, Lancelot basically worships the ground on which Gwen stands...it's not a partnership, and it's CERTAINLY not a relationship.

Yep, and there's no conflict or tension whatsoever, and there's no reason for their love. I know some people would say that, well, love is blind and will love randomly and unconditionally. I disagree. I think the best epic!love stories are when there is some sort of conflict and push and pull. Mostly, what I'm trying to get at is that there is no reason that Lancelot loves Guinevere except that she's pretty. I suppose Gwen 'loves' Lancelot because she doesn't think Arthur has come for her and she thinks she's about to die. Which doesn't seem like too convincing a reason for 'epic love'.

[breathingbooks]

I agree. "Just because" as a reason drives me insane, especially as the author so often seems to agree with the characters that their love is True! and Epic! and Eternal!

Of course, fixing it by adding in flaws and so on is a problem when the hero and heroine don't really have them...

[dis_netis]

Yeah, usually I think its down to lazy and unimaginative writing and the self-serving need of the author to make their heroes 'perfect'- which usually equals boring. *cough*TWILIGHT!*cough*

[breathingbooks]

I don't know. I'd be careful about even seeming to imply that stalkerboy is perfect. ;)

[dis_netis]

Well, you have a point there. He's definitely not perfect, but the fangirls (and Bella) seem to think he is.

[hmsharmony]

This was a BEAUTIFULLY written post, and I absolutely agree with everything you wrote. And of course I agree on the A/G front. That's why I am so, so happy they decided to make Gwen a servant and not some noblewoman. I mean it's possible that she could've still had that flaw had she been written as such, but highly unlikely (not to mention unbelievable) as she would've been trained in the arts of refinement at birth. There's just something beautiful in their flaws and the way that they see past those shells and fall in love.

[dis_netis]

Thank you! I agree, making Gwen a servant gives their relationship another layer of complications and juiciness. Its interesting because in the usual telling of the Arthurian legend there is no class angst issue (except possibly with Guinevere/Lancelot), but in giving this issue to Gwen and Arthur, it makes their love the epic one that has to cross social barriers.

And I think if they had made her a noblewoman, it would've made the differences between Morgana and Gwen less clear- Morgana is a noblewoman who speaks her mind and so if Gwen was that too it wouldn't make her special, just another opinionated Lady. :D

There's just something beautiful in their flaws and the way that they see past those shells and fall in love.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[keenan24]

Hello, first, HAPPY NEW YEAR

[dis_netis]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I think you're right, flawed characters are more realistic and therefore more relatable, which means that their story means more to you and effects you more than a perfect 2D character would. I keep using the Twilight example, but my problem with it is that while the characters definitely aren't perfect, they think they are. Bella- inane, simpering, spineless, dull. Everyone thinks she's great. WHY? Its very frustrating and in the end the love story leaves me cold because I don't give a damn about any of the characters.

And wow,woman, if you didn't own my soul before, you do now

Oh good! *puts keenan24's soul in Box of Soul's for future usage*

I fear you're right about Ed Norton- people just gloss over his INCREDIBLE performance in Fight Club and go "Oh, Brad Pitt's dressed funny and likes to punch things." Its quite sad, but I say its their loss.

[ailsa_clare]

This post prefectly articulates how I feel about romance - in art and life. It is definitely those more turbulent but ultimately more honest pairings that will always tug at me more emotionally.

Oh and also: I definitely agree with regards to Edward Norton. Insanely attractive, and definitely more so than Brad Pitt (who I find pretty but ultimately boring?!)

[dis_netis]

This post prefectly articulates how I feel about romance - in art and life. It is definitely those more turbulent but ultimately more honest pairings that will always tug at me more emotionally.

Yep, I agree, its always those relationships which are full of conflict that are more interesting (and, therefore, more likely to make me sob my heart out when everything goes tragically wrong :().

Oh and also: I definitely agree with regards to Edward Norton. Insanely attractive, and definitely more so than Brad Pitt (who I find pretty but ultimately boring?!)

Yay! Another in Ed's corner! I think its his intelligence and intensity that's most attractive. I don't even find Brad pretty (I think he's a bit odd looking, to be frank).