Although the 2002 movie Spider-Man (Arad & Raimi) is classified as an action-adventure movie, it contains one of the most powerful examples of selfless love that I have seen in modern American media. In most movies love is presented as a passionate and exciting experience, with intimacy developing rapidly and presumably lasting to a “happily ever after” experience. These portrayals are in stark contrast to the way truly successful relationships function in reality, and can mislead audiences by giving them unrealistic expectations. Spider-Man offers a poignant counter-perspective, highlighting the time, dedication, and sacrifice that gradually build strong and fulfilling partnerships.
Romance Summary
Spider-Man has two sub-plots which orbit around each other throughout the movie: the gradually developing romance between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, as well as the conflict between Spider-Man and the Green goblin. The movie began with Peter’s opening monologue, declaring that “this, like any story worth telling, is all about a girl. That girl, the girl next door. Mary Jane Watson, the woman I’ve loved since before I even liked girls.” Indeed, everything in the movie is tied at least indirectly to the relationship between these…show more content… The three points on Sternberg’s triangle represent the main aspects of three types of love: passion, intimacy, and commitment. Passion is the type of love most often shown in movies, and is based on physical attraction and sexual desire. Intimacy is the type of love characterized by emotional involvement, closeness, and a sense of connectedness between two people. Commitment is the choice to actively love one person and to stay with them over time. Each of these features are typically present at one point or another in any relationship, and they can change dynamically over time as