#3. Love and Romance

"That only happens in movies." is a phrase that is stated numerous times during a discussion of love and romance. But it is true in a way. Most of the love and romance shenanigans that are portrayed in the media are truly unrealistic and overdone. (But I'm really not saying that every single itty bitty portrayal of romance within the media is illogical, some portrayals actually do make sense). The vast love stories, the epic motives to win love and the super dejected personas of characters in unrequited love all are just ways to show the audience that, yeah, love is never really going to happen. Take the movie Dear John or even the recent movie The Vow for instance, the love stories are over-extravagantly lovable and epic that the audience is supposed to feel as if nothing that epic is every going to happen within their lives. And this is exactly how love and romance portrayed in the media affects society. The reason that there is a very high audience rate for the cheesy romantic comedies and dramas is because the people expect something "big" to happen and they then desire to feel the emotion that the characters within the film are feeling. And by watching love and romance through the media (or even by reading those cheesy novels) emotions are evoked and desire is increased. Overall, the love and romance within the media affects what we as a society think of love. In actual, the media has defined "love" for us, and what we expect of from romance and love. I have to admit, I truly am expecting a totally awesome love story in my life and it's all your fault, media!