Cinema is an important medium for representing love and desire in various ways. Whether it's the sweeping romance of "Romeo & Juliet" or the steamy chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", movies have the power to create unrealistic expectations about love and desire that can impact how people view their own experiences in real life. In this article, I will explore how cinematic representations of love and desire construct internalized romantic myths that influence real-life expectations and disappointments.
One way that cinema shapes these romantic myths is through its portrayal of idealized relationships. Many movies feature couples who seem to have perfect chemistry and never argue or fight, which creates the expectation that all relationships should be like that. This can lead to disappointment when reality doesn't match up to this idealized version of love.
In "When Harry Met Sally," Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan play a couple who start out as friends but eventually fall in love after years of friendship. This film implies that true love takes time and patience, but many people may not realize that this isn't always the case in real life.
Another way that cinema influences romantic myths is by creating fantastical scenarios that are impossible in reality.
In "Pretty Woman," Julia Roberts plays a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy businessman (Richard Gere) and changes her life. While this movie is entertaining, it perpetuates the idea that anyone can find happiness if they just meet the right person, regardless of socioeconomic status or background.
In reality, these factors often play a significant role in shaping relationships.
Cinema can also shape our expectations around physical attraction and sexuality. Movies like "Fifty Shades of Grey" and "Blue Is The Warmest Color" feature intense, passionate sex scenes that make viewers feel like they need a similar level of intimacy in their own relationships. But again, this can create unrealistic expectations about what healthy sex looks like and lead to frustration when partners don't live up to them.
Cinematic representations of love and desire construct internalized romantic myths that influence real-life expectations and disappointments. By creating unrealistic portrayals of perfect relationships, impossible scenarios, and idealized physical attraction, movies can set viewers up for disappointment and confusion. It's important for individuals to be aware of these myths and understand that relationships are complex and multifaceted, rather than following unrealistic standards set by Hollywood.
How do cinematic representations of love and desire construct internalized romantic myths that influence real-life expectations and disappointments?
Despite being a fictional element, cinema has tremendous power over our perception of reality because it can affect how we think and feel about certain situations. The same is true for the portrayal of relationships between people on screen; specifically, how they depict attraction, intimacy, sexuality, and all other facets of love. This representation influences not only what we believe to be the ideal relationship but also our approach to building one.