{"id":1274,"date":"2013-05-03T12:38:29","date_gmt":"2013-05-03T16:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=1274"},"modified":"2013-05-03T12:38:29","modified_gmt":"2013-05-03T16:38:29","slug":"romantic-film-genre-slowly-evolves","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=1274","title":{"rendered":"Romantic film genre slowly evolves"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted May 3, 2013<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

By ELIZABETH DE ARMAS<\/p>\n

It comes as no surprise that romantic films are popular. After all, love is universal. In 1896, \u201cThe May Erwin Kiss\u201d by Thomas Edison became the first film of a couple kissing. Since then, the romantic genre has slowly evolved.<\/p>\n

Our generation has come to know Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling as the \u201ccouple to be\u201d in the romantic drama, \u201cThe Notebook.\u201d Since the movie was released in 2004, individuals are constantly comparing each love story on the big screen to the ideal fairytale story of Noah and Allie. However, romantic genres take on various themes. The \u201chappily ever after\u201d or \u201ctear jerker\u201d theme isn\u2019t always the story line.<\/p>\n

\"Some<\/a>

Some of the most legendary romantic movies of all time (Photo courtesy of google.com).<\/p><\/div>\n

Romance films explore the themes of passion, young love, love at first sight, hardships, dating and marriage. The genre has become so popular because many of these films serve as inspiration to its audience. Many couples, and individuals alike, can relate to these films.<\/p>\n

For some people, these romantic films portray a love story that they have experienced in the past, or are currently involved in. For others, romantic films serve as an ideal model of what they wish to have in the future.<\/p>\n

For most men, it is hard for them to understand why women flock to the movie theater when the latest love story comes on the big screen. Most romantic films follow the same central part \u00ad\u2013 two characters fall in love with each other. And while falling in love, these characters go on a journey and usually experience some type of hardship. Most of the time, the characters find a way to make it work and end up living a \u201chappily ever after.\u201d Other times, tragedy strikes but the ending of the movie offers a life lesson.<\/p>\n

Romantic movies have been honored by The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, better known as The Oscars, because of the real-life emotions these movies have portrayed. For most people, wanting to fall in love and find a soul mate is on their list of \u201cthings to do.\u201d For this reason, romantic films have continued to succeed. It isn\u2019t the in-depth plot that appeals to the public \u2013 it is the message \u2013 that love can triumph and endure all things.<\/p>\n

\"Casablanca\"<\/a>\u201cCasablanca,\u201d (1942) \u201cGone with the Wind,\u201d (1939) and \u201cIt Happened One Night,\u201d (1934) are three Oscar award-winning romantic films that continue to be considered classics today.<\/p>\n

They have endured because of the ideal love story each film created, which involved two characters that were determined to be together \u2013 no matter what. In each film, each couple faced a journey filled with several challenges.<\/p>\n

The adventure of love, coupled with phenomenal acting and cinematography has left a lasting impression. Successful romantic movies, like successful relationships, have the power to last forever.<\/p>\n

Tyler Perry\u2019s \u201cTemptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor,\u201d approaches a romantic film as a flashback. The main character, Judith, becomes a marriage counselor after earning her Master\u2019s degree and marrying her first love that she met when she was not even eight. The story unfolds as Judith, played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell, is trying to give advice to a client who is cheating on her husband by telling her own personal story that ultimately changed her life.<\/p>\n

Perry, who is also known as the man who created the Madea movie series, directed \u201cTemptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, \u201cwith one particular goal in mind \u2013– creating a film based on an obsessive passion for a man that leads to infidelity and reckless behavior. After Judith marries Brice, played by Lance Gross, their marriage seems wonderful. They are happily in love, building a life together and both working toward their aspirations.<\/p>\n

Judith takes on a job at a matchmaking company in hopes to be promoted and Brice works at a small drug store as a pharmacist with plans to one day have his own pharmacy. In the midst of this fairytale love story, Judith is introduced to a billionaire named Harley, played by Robbie Jones, who seems like the perfect catch. He has it all –\u2013 money, charisma, charm, fame –\u2013 and most importantly, he is single. Judith controls her temptation, until Brice forgets her birthday and Harley sends her flowers. The rest is what you would expect.<\/p>\n

Though Perry\u2019s movie is directed well, the drama is overdone. Too many things spiral out of control too fast. And, things in the movie happen too coincidentally. For example, a woman by the name of Melinda begins working with Brice at the pharmacy and she seems very conflicted. It turns out Melinda, played by Brandy Norwood, is hiding from her ex-husband who tried to kill her. Wondering whom her ex-husband is? Take a wild guess.<\/p>\n

And, Kim Kardashian has a role in this movie as a materialistic secretary named Ava who constantly puts Judith down for having a conservative taste in fashion, and not wearing enough makeup. Why Perry chose to cast Kardashian is a question left unanswered, but her acting is definitely not big screen material. Her performance was very unnatural and out of place in this film.<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/a>

Tyler Perry’s “Temptation,” which opened in theaters Mar. 29 (Photo courtesy of google.com).<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cTemptations: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor\u201d is one of Perry\u2019s most intense and provocative films to date. It is a film to which many people who have experienced adultery could relate.<\/p>\n

And even for those who haven\u2019t cheated on someone or been cheated on, this film can relate to anyone who has ever been tempted to do something they knew was wrong, but did anyways. All in all, the movie was well put together and nicely packaged. However, the intensity and drama could have been toned down.<\/p>\n

Perry\u2019s \u201cTemptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor\u201d is just one example of how romance films have evolved. The genre of romance has always incorporated drama, but not to this extent. The infidelity and destructive behavior in this film is portrayed to depict real life scenarios. This is why romantic movies evolve over time. In order to engage the audience, the movie \u2013– or at least the message of the movie \u2013 has to be something individuals can relate to.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Host,\u201d based on a novel written by \u201cTwilight\u201d series author Stephanie Meyer, takes on a different approach to depict romance. How individuals can relate to an alien race that attempts to take over the human race and in that attempt sabotages the woman of Jared Howe\u2019s dreams is questionable. However, the new attempt at action-filled, alien invading romance is impressive, although the science fiction romantic film was no where near as wonderful as Meyer\u2019s novel.<\/p>\n

Jared, played by Max Irons, is in a regular relationship with Melanie Stryder, played by Saoirse Ronan, until the Seeker of the alien race captured her. In an attempt to transform her into an alien, the Seeker, played by Diane Kruger, injects Melanie with a soul called Wanderer that will lead the alien race to the location where humans are hiding. However, Melanie\u2019s human body is never completely lost. Her struggle to try to separate her human wants from the new soul that has somewhat embodied her, leads her back to her boyfriend eventually. While trying to rebuild her relationship and fighting what her human body wants, the action and drama of the film takes its course.<\/p>\n

\"The_Host_Poster\"<\/a>Director Andrew Niccol does a solid job in keeping the film as a romantic story line first and a sci-fi thriller second. Melanie\u2019s human memory is not erased, which allows Niccol to continue the romance. Though the cinematography also deserves a round of applause, the plot is very narrow and the movie does not allow for characters to be developed, as they should have been.<\/p>\n

Therefore, \u201cThe Host\u201d has a lot of potential that was undermined because the audience wasn\u2019t able to truly understand the reasoning and motive behind some of the character\u2019s actions. As a film that falls under the romantic drama, \u201cThe Host\u201d does allow for the characters in love to share charming moments on the big screen. The storyline is not hard to follow, but the movie as a whole production didn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n

The two romantic films, \u201cTemptations: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor\u201d and \u201cThe Host,\u201d have different storylines that lead up to the same result: Obstacles in love. Whether it is infidelity or an alien race, romantic films always present an obstacle that can either strengthen the romance or be the cause of destruction.<\/p>\n

In Perry\u2019s film, Judith\u2019s choice to cheat on her husband leads to a consequence that changes her life forever. In Niccol\u2019s film, Melanie\u2019s choice to fight for what her human mind remembers she had with Jared leads to finding love again. The films have different outcomes and different storylines, but the underlying idea is constant.<\/p>\n