I am a sucker for romantic comedies all year round. While I know that the format of rom-com’s is predictable, I still love them. However, there is one thing that does bother me: the love-triangle plot. Oftentimes, one character is in a relationship with another character, but is having an emotional or physical affair with another character. The movie usually tries to justify the infidelity because they are meant to be together. The first time I watched these types of movies, the happy emotions that two soulmates found each other outweighed the feeling bad for the other character. However, as I rewatch these movies, I find it harder and harder to justify the behaviors of the main characters. There are dozens of side characters in romantic comedies that deserved better from their partners. I still enjoy watching romantic comedies and will continue to watch them, but I think it is important to acknowledge and think about the characters who get hurt when people act on their strong impulses.
Before we get into it, this is a warning that there are spoilers ahead.
- Peter from “Love, Actually”
This movie surrounds several intertwining relationships in London during Christmastime. In this love triangle, Peter and Juliet are married. Peter’s best friend and best man, Mark, records the wedding ceremony. Months after the wedding, Mark confesses his love for Juliet on posters at the door while Peter is in the house and the two kiss.
- Kimmy from “My Best Friend’s Wedding”
Julianne comes to town because her best friend, Michael, is marrying Kimmy in five days. During the film, Julianne does everything she can to try to sabotage the wedding because she has feelings for Micahel. Kimmy does not deserve this. Along with this, Michael flirts with Julianne the week of his wedding and seems to encourage her to eventually confess her feelings. Kimmy did not deserve that, either.
- Ethan and Darcy from “Something Borrowed”
Although this film shows that Darcy and Dex are not right for each other and she is not always the best friend to Rachel, this does not mean that Darcy will not be hurt to find out Dex is sleeping with Darcy’s best friend Rachel while they are engaged. To add to this love triangle, Rachel’s best friend Ethan, helped her cover up that she was sleeping with Dex. Ethan loves Rachel and when he can tell he is not going to be with her, he moves from New York to London. She flies out to see him and dismisses him when he confesses his feelings and continues to talk about wanting to be with Dex.
- Fran from “The Wedding Planner”
Mary and Steve meet each other and there are instant sparks. Mary, her friend Penny and Steve go to see a movie in the park. Penny leaves and Steve and Mary are about to kiss when they are interrupted by a downpour. The next time Mary sees Steve is a few days later when she is planning his wedding to his fiance, Fran, and is upset with him for leading her on. There are many times during the movie that Fran needs to leave for a work call or trip. This causes the watcher to not know her character well and to root for Mary and Steve. Fran and Steve decide to call off the wedding and she leaves to go on their honeymoon alone. I would definitely watch a spin off about what happened to Fran, hopefully finding someone who she deserves.
Since we are in December, you may have a Christmas rom-com on your list to watch this month—I know I do. It is important to remember that some of the plots in movies are there to increase the drama and are not healthy behaviors to look for in a relationship.