Since the beginning of moving pictures (ok, the 1940’s), we have been sold (force-fed, even) on the notion of relationships built from the magnetism of opposites attracting. For example:
The Shop Around the Corner • Sabrina • Arthur • Can’t Buy Me Love • Say Anything • When Harry Met Sally • Pretty Woman • Curly Sue • He Said, She Said • Housesitter • Dirty Dancing • French Kiss • Top Gun • The American President • Tin Cup • The Bodyguard • You’ve Got Mail • Clueless • Runaway Bride • Save The Last Dance • Maid in Manhattan (yes, I’ve actually watched this!) • Love Actually • Knocked Up …
This list is obviously not conclusive but for some reason does house a lot of Meg Ryan. Can anyone say “movie formula“?
And now, recent movie releases like “Management” and “The Proposal” keep knocking the nails into the coffin. Is it as simple as profitable comedic opportunities? Is it capitalising on the voyeuristic nature of wanting to see a collision course? Is it like the curiousity of wanting to see the offspring of mixed parentage?
Differences do intrigue more than the similarities but yet, in the situation – all you do are seek out the likeness. You could be in a relationship with someone vastly different and once you’re in it, you get more excited by the similarities rather than the disparities. I think this proves nothing more than opposites attract but likeness endures.
Let’s call the whole thing off.
