Friday, July 27, 2007

Mainstream Media and the Decline of the "Good Guy"

I've noticed something in lots of movies I've seen lately. Girls in movies like to blow off wonderful, charming, polite, responsible, and otherwise good guys for alluring, dangerous types that they think they "love".
Case 1: Catch and Release
Gray, and main girl, has an affair with her dead fiance's groomsman. He is a big jerk (if you had the misfortune to sit through this movie, or even the preview, you know how much). The dead fiance's roommate, Dennis, has loved Gray from the sidelines for 6 years. He is kind, sweet, and responsible. Guess who she chooses in the end? The arrogant guy from Californis. Not that I have anything against the sunny state, per se, but that seems to sum it up.
Case 2: Pirates of the Caribbean
Commodore Norrington is again, dependable, kind, good-natured, and adores Elizabeth. He would take good care of her. Sure, there's not the same pasion as there is with Will Turner, but that passion can fade. It's the kind of lasting affection that Norrington offers that you really want in the end. But does she make the wise choice? Not a chance. It's mainstream media, you see.
Case 3: Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement
Don't judge. There are parts of this movie that I adore. Namely, Andrew Jacoby, Duke of Kenilworth. He's a dutiful, hard-working man with whom Mia gets along very well. I am convinced that, had this movie not been created as a piece of GIRL POWER! propaganda, they would have been very happy together in the end. Nicholas, her chosen one, is described early in the movie as a womanizer, a lech. What person in her right mind throws aside Andrew for him? According to the media, anyone would, of course! She "loves him".
I heard someone say once, that, "You have to be careful who you fall in love with- you can fall in love with someone you shouldn't marry." I firmly believe this to be true. Feelings of love do not neccesarily imply suitabilty, and many excellent candidates may fall by the wayside because "there's no spark". As my English teacher taught, "Love is affection and attraction tempered by time. A growing, gradual affection shows true love. It arises as you discover suitability and admirable qualities in one another."
The media tries to portray these admirable qualities and beautiful relationships as silly, quaint, and old-fashioned. But don't fall for it! I bet if any of these movies showed the end result a few years after the final kiss, Mr. Dangerously Attractive is having an affair with the cocktail waitress.
So go for a good guy. He'll be there for the final credits. And beyond.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

"Relationships based on extreme circumstances never work out."
- Sandra Bullock in Speed 2: Cruise Control