Life is not exactly like the movies. But, sometimes the on-screen romances and BFF duos provide valuable insight for real life relationships.
“What I have learned from both TV and movies is that sometimes movies and TV can hit the meaning of love right on the head and other times be off by miles,” said sophomore government and politics major Emily Peightel.
In those cases of them hitting love on the nose, check out these relationship lessons from the big and small screens.
Love is a journey:
“If I could live any romance I would live When Harry Met Sally. I just love that they are enemies, then friends and then lovers. It’s a great story; it really shows the journey of love,” stated Peightel.
“I’ve learned one main lesson from the TV show Friends: a great relationship develops out of a great friendship,” said sophomore government and politics and economics double major Cassandra Rowlands.
Friends will always have your back in life’s adventures:
A prime example is the modern day and magical three musketeers: Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. “They’ve always got each other’s backs and even at times put their friendship before family,” noted Peightel.
Take a risk when dating:
In Sex and the City, Miranda and Steve were an unlikely match, as Ashley Womble explained in the Cosmopolitan article, “Love Lessons from Sex and the City.” But they were one of the only couples who made it through six seasons and two feature length films.
“Not surprisingly, their divergent careers created problems: conflicting schedules, fights about money, and different outlooks on life,” explained Womble. “Miranda could have deleted his number from her BlackBerry, but ultimately, his laid-back personality and devotion won her over.”
You can learn to embrace your lover’s flaws if you dare to try.
“Fever Pitch models the best relationship, because it shows how you can overlook flaws in someone if you really love them,” said Rowlands. “I think it’s really important not to nitpick at someone and let insignificant imperfections get in the way of a potentially great relationship.”
Broken hearts never last forever:
In 500 Days of Summer, hope is given to the broken-hearted viewer.
“This flick made it clear that it is possible to move on after you get your heart broken. Hello, Autumn,” stated Womble in the Cosmopolitan article, “Best Love Lessons from Chick Flicks.”
Never forget to cater to the most important relationship – the one with yourself:
From the film, Eat, Pray, Love, Julia Roberts reminds women that taking time to focus and cater to themselves is critical. And it can lead to a more rewarding relationship in the future.
“Try to devote the post-breakup grief period to exploring who you are and what you love — so your next relationship is a better fit,” commented Womble on Eat, Pray, Love.
The iconic single girl, Carrie Bradshaw, stated this simple fact during an episode of Sex In The City. “The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.”
There are countless examples from movies played on the big screens of theatres to TV shows viewed with surround sound in the privacy of a living room where actors offer words of advice. It will just cost more than two cents to hear their thoughts on lovers and friends.