Sentimentalized Adultery

                As time progresses our world, and what has become acceptable in our world, changes. We as people, begin to feel and view things differently than we once had. What was once acceptable may no longer be an example of this would be slavery. Things that were once unacceptable may now be common place; an example of this could be the way children speak to their parents, or abortion. The key to these things is that they may have been happening all along, but what has changed is the acceptability of these acts to society. In the article “Sentimentalized Adultery: The film industry’s Next Step in Consumerism,” the author engages the reader to consider if adultery has now become acceptable, and in some circumstances romantic and enviable.

                Bonnie Zare, the author of “Sentimentalized Adultery” has chosen several films to analyze for her thoughts on this topic. The films used for the article are “The Bridges of Madison County,” The English Patient,” and Shakespeare in Love.” Though the movies differ in their storyline they all involve affairs. These relationships that are witnessed in the movies evoke certain feelings of its viewers. What the author is trying to describe is the acceptability and comfort level, even longing for adulterous relationships. The author explains that as time in the world has progressed, the reason these affairs are able to be an entire story line is because we as citizens find this topic comfortable, and even relatable. Her fear is that adultery may be unnecessary to story lines, but may be added for the appeal that they now have to the masses of viewers.  Ms. Zare also describes certain instances in our history that have brought us to a place that we relish in these relationships and even desire them for ourselves.

                The author of this article believes that several things have happened in the last eighty years that have brought us to this place. She believes that relaxed sexual morals, acceptability of divorce, woman’s independence movements and American’s new found sense of intense individualism have brought us to a place where having an affair means little to nothing. Her definition of sentimentalized adultery is “the depiction of a relationship in which one or more married person’s finds phenomenal passion and emotional satisfaction in an affair (Zare, pg. 30).” Are we so selfish that we no longer value our vows? Are we so selfish and narcissistic that we now must have affairs to keep ourselves entertained? Is no one willing to work for the rewards of an emotionally rich relationship? It would appear that our society longs to want what we want, when we want it. It would also appear that the film industry is giving us just that. Zare has broken these issues down and provided examples of these different relationships and desires in film; her article has shown that this is where the film industry is headed.

                I believe that we live in a society with a huge sense of entitlement and self. No longer are we attending community meetings, where we are responsible to work together (Zare pg. 31.)We are now awarded for first and second place, but also sixth, seventh and eighth. Our society and its members want to be acknowledged for all that they do, whether their actions were worthy of praise of not. Understanding this, we can see that marriages and relationships are probably more challenging now than ever before. We are desensitized to what is right, and what is wrong. There is an argument for the value of everything, and the argument now is “well I wanted it.” Because this is the mentality or our society, it makes sense that film makers and authors are including these story lines; these story lines are relatable for us. People want stories and films to be possible; they want to live their favorite characters lives. The author has made many valid points, the most important of these, that we can sympathize with the characters, even feel broken hearted for them when their affairs end. We are so desensitized to what this really means and how it affects those involved that these are our new love stories.

                Understanding that these things are unacceptable is very important. Though affairs have become the new norm, it does not make them right. Our society is running rampant with broken families, illegitimate children, broken spirits and little sense of family. The pain and emotional suffering of so many can be avoided by the long term and positive relationships that we both witness and become a part of ourselves. There is no longer a need to make things work, because your next option is always around the corner. I believe this article has shown how the film industry is adding to the desensitization of morality. The author makes many valid points and shows the slow rise of acceptability for these behaviors. The importance of this article lies in the truth that we are now a society of “I want what I want, when I want it, because I deserve it, and I am all that matters.”  We can no longer see beyond ourselves, and the film makers know how to make the almighty dollar, because the film makers want what they want, and this is how they get it. 

References

Zare, B. (2001). 'Sentimentalized Adultery': The Film Industry's Next Step in Consumerism?. Journal Of Popular Culture, 35(3), 29