Have you ever wondered why girls love chick flicks so much?
Well, i think I have an idea why...
What is Love?
"Well son. When a man loves a woman-"
STOP. WAIT. GROSS. NO. Not THAT type of love!
Love: When two individuals develop deep feelings for one another. Love between a man and a woman. Or a man and a man. Or woman with woman. Or man and taco. And so on and so on. (ok! stop!)
Ever wonder which movie was the first romance film to be made in history?
No? Well, too bad! Imma tell you now!
In 1896, Thomas Eddison was the first director to make a romance film, called "The Kiss", starring May Irwin and John Rice. They both kissed in front of the camera. Thus, the romance genre is born! (hooray!)
"Wait a minute! I thought Thomas Eddison invented the lightbulb!"
"Why yes he did. He also invented the kelidescope to film his movies back then!"
After Eddison's kiss film was introduced, other directors decided to make their own romance films.
The basic plot of a romance film is that two protagonists, usually a man and a woman, they meet usually due to an arguement or other crazy reason, then ultimately, reunite either by force, or by will. Sometimes, the two characters meet and become kinda 'involved' initially, then must confront challenges together. Sometimes the two protagonists are hesistant to become romantically involved, because they believe that they do not mix well with one another, usually because one of them has a partner OR because of social pressures.
Take an example:
RichLady: "I don't like you cause I'm rich!"
PoorDude: "I don't like you either cause I'm poor!"
RichLady: "Lets make out!"
PoorDude: "Lets!"
(insert makeout scene here.) (ew.)
In 1931, in a film called 'City Lights' starring Charlie Chaplain, introduced a sub-genre of romance called TheRomantic Comedy. The video had Charlie Chaplain in his usual poor tramp routine, meeting a poor, blind girl selling flowers on the street. The tramp ends up falling in love with her, and the young woman mistakes him for a millionaire, and he decides to play along in hopes that she will stay with him. The tramp does everything he can to pay for her rent and eye surgery for her vision.
WHY IS THIS?
Because he is in love with her.
Romantic Comedies were very popular until the end of WW2, where romantic comedy lost its magic and turned into political commentary on couplelization and politics.
"imma buy her flowers! and a ring! and a puppy! she'll definately love me for this!" says the hopeless romantic.
"GIVE US YO MONEY" says the government.
In romance film, however, the story does not always have a happy ending. As the two protagonists are together, there are some conflicts that they both must face, such as love triangles, jealousy, revenge, betrayal, redemption, and tragedy.
For example, in the 1996 tragedy film Romeo & Juliet, starring Leonardo Di Caprio and that other lady, the story is of Romeo and Juliet, so lost in love, but forbidden to love each other, due to a family feud.
Yeah...very tragic....(goes off to cry...)
SNAKTIMENOW!
(intermission)
What attracts audiences into a romance film? We asked some random people why:
Dude: "Imma watch it with my girlfriend cause she loves it!"
Gal: "It's so heartwarming and it makes me cry! And I did it for the hot guys on the screen!"
WeirdMan: "I watch it to see two women get it on! OHYEAH!"
Reporter: "Uh...Thats porn, not love."
WeirdMan: "Wait...there's a difference?!"
Romance in films are still popular today! Modern romance films like Titanic, My Best Friend's Wedding, and Wall*e! :)
In the 2008 film Wall*e, a little garbage compactor robot encounters another robot named Eve, and quickly falls in love with her. Even though the film doesn't contain much dialogue, the visual subtext and emotions the two express show their interests and love for one another.
These factors make this movie a very unique romance film.
The romance genre does not simply exist to amuse and entertain. Romance films show how relationships work in different cultures and time. They show that love can bloom almost anywhere, and that two individuals can overcome many obstacles together.
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