My first screen crush ever was Leonardo DiCaprio when I saw him on Titanic. I mean, who didn’t hope to end up with someone as charismatic and nice as Jack Dawson? The movie is the perfect combination of a good tragedy of inevitable doom, great production, and an inspiring love story between a poor man and a socialite who’s not really into the social norms of her status. Engaged to a man her mother forces her to be with, and out of money, Rose finds in Jack the freedom she’s never enjoyed. On the other hand, he proves he has nothing to lose and all he wants is to be with her, even in the last moments of their lives, and Rose kind of shows the same. However, she’s not as devoted as one would think, or even as Jack proves to be. Let’s forget the fact that the piece of wood is big enough to hold both of them. If you see that the guy you supposedly love is freezing, why don’t you help him find something else to lie in? This is, of course, a matter that outraged many. Even physic calculations have been made to prove that, indeed, both could have fit on that improvised raft. But that’s another thing. My point is that sometimes movies, especially the romantic ones, present stories of great loves, but at the end of the day they’re not as romantic as we could think they are. Beyond that, some of them show very disturbing behaviors that any sane person would run away from. So, here’s a selection of five love movies in which the protagonist should’ve called the police or escaped from the psycho they ended up with.
Grease (1978) Dir. Randal Kleiser
This might be the greatest musical film of all times but it’s wrong on so many levels. We all applauded and sang along “You’re the One that I Want”, when Sandy adopts a more modern look and attitude. But, if you think about it, it’s quite disappointing that she has to basically change who she is so Danny, the rebel boy, accepts her. I guess she was really hopelessly devoted to him.
–
Say Anything (1989) Dir. Cameron Crowe
Since this movie was released, a guy with a gigantic boombox playing a song to say he’s sorry has become an icon of romantic love. However, his attitudes, more than being romantic, are quite creepy and clear signs of a guy who thinks he has the power to stalk a woman, no matter what. I mean the girl is going through a tough time. Her father is about to be imprisoned, and she’s moving to England for college. Above all, she clearly told the guy she didn’t want him to be close to her. His solution: I’ll harass you until you come back to me. Sadly, she kind of does.
–
The Breakfast Club (1985) Dir. John Hughes
This is not exactly the best example of how a teen relationship should start. Being on detention John Bender, a rebel guy who acts like a teen criminal, and Claire, the classic pure girl who thinks it’s time to leave her virginal appearance and attitudes behind, will fall for the other. Up until that point, there’s no harm. The problem is that, before realizing he likes her, Bender bullies, harasses, and even sexually assaults her. But deep inside he’s a good guy with a tormented life, so it’s understandable, right? Eh, not really.
–
The Notebook (2004) Dir. Nick Cassavetes
Here goes a major spoiler, but honestly, if you haven’t seen it, it’s because you don’t really care, so no harm done. Didn’t your heart melt when you discovered that the old man at the asylum is Noah and that he reads his diary to Allie? This movie is the ultimate modern romance. We all want a Noah building a house for us. However, he’s not as cute and romantic as he seems. He’s a total stalker who won’t take no for an answer (no, it doesn’t matter whether he’s in love) and thinks it’s fine to chase Allie, not respecting her decisions. But above all, he resorts to suicidal attempts to convince her to go back together. Quite psychotic, right?
–
500 First Dates (2004) Dir. Peter Segal
Adam Sandler is not the guy you’d associate to a hopeless romantic, but he has tried. In this movie, he falls for a woman (Lucy) who suffers from amnesia after a terrible accident. So every morning she forgets what happened the day before and lives forever in the day of the accident. Fortunately (and yes I’m being sarcastic), Henry is not a quitter and will do anything to start a life with her, which they do by getting married and living on a boat. Let’s forget the fact that every morning she has to wake up next to a man she doesn’t even remember, and he forces her to have a kid and get to know him every single day of her life.
–
Not only films recur to sociopathic demonstrations of love, but there are also songs with quite a disturbing meaning. If you still love watching these stories or want to spot more creeps on them, take a look at these romantic movies.
***
Source:
Thought Catalog
