P + P Essay 2

Brendan Tuma

Mr. George

World Lit G

02 March 2011

No Strings Attached

            The main plot of a romance concerns two people falling in love while overcoming hurdles to make the relationship work. Although there can be ample subplots to add to the story, the focus remains on the struggling love affair. There are certainly no shortages of exceptions to the rule but the general outline for a romance revolves around a man and woman. The characters are introduced in an initially awkward first encounter and must overcome a dislike of one another in order to make the relationship work. This statement is never more true than throughout the romantic comedy film No Strings Attached, starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman.

            Every romance introduces a round and flat character. The round character, in this case Kutcher, is the one who we understand and who is willing to make the relationship work. Portman, the flat character, is the one with the flaw who has to overcome it to complete the love story. Kutcher proves to be relatable, easy going yet hard working. He is the one who the viewer is shown more of throughout the beginning of the story so that the audience can better relate to him. The next step in setting up a romance is introducing the flat character. Portman comes onto the scene after the audience has already determined they admire Kutcher. Interest intensifies and it becomes clear that each will be able to subsist in the other’s life. It is easy to see what Portman admires in the amiable Kutcher because of our initial understanding of the round character. Having only seen Portman for a short period of time eventually makes the viewer question her alacrity to make the relationship work. The flat character’s flaw is the issue and must be overcome to make the relationship work. Kutcher shows much interest in Portman from the beginning. Initially owning a strictly physical attraction, Kutcher soon desires more from Portman. Portman’s flaw, as the viewer begins to learn, is her unwillingness to commit to a long term relationship. Having been scarred by her parents’ divorce she refuses to commit to Kutcher and thus creates the problem of the romance.

            It is standard in love stories, much like this one, for the audience to be rooting for the relationship to succeed. There is an idea in heartwarming stories that the good get rewarded and the evil get punished. If lovers fight for the relationship to succeed then they will be rewarded with unconditional love and emotional justice. Kutcher and Portman get torn apart by Natalie’s reluctance to continue. Apart for too long, each becomes unable to cope with the loss. The characters must experience great lows if they are going to be able to appreciate the highs. Friends of both characters provide assistance for the relationship to work. The flat character’s flaw must be overcome and by doing so, helps make the relationship work. The fact that Portman is willing to throw everything on the line, despite the fear of a bad breakup shows how much she actually loves Kutcher.

            The classic love story is designed to end in a way that makes the viewer feel good. This is done by showing that two lovers who risk everything are rewarded with eternal happiness. Kutcher takes Portman back after she decides that he is worth the risk and that is where the story ends. A romance typically ends at the scene where the lovers are reunited to show that they will go on to live happily ever after, giving the viewer a warm, fuzzy feeling.

            In terms of following a traditional romance, No Strings Attached fits the model perfectly. Commencing with the presentation of a round and flat character with an initial like of one another, a problem arises that keeps them apart. The problem is generally held by the flat character who must overcome what is constraining the lovers from being together. Friends and other characters provide comic relief while simultaneously providing support for the relationship. The climax of the book or movie must center on the love story, although other subplots can occur. The lovers that risk everything to tackle the struggle are able to overcome it to attain emotional justice. The flat character precipitates the renewed love, leaving the viewer filled with jubilation. No Strings Attached must be defined as a romance.