Relationships

Amongst the many romantic comedy movies that typically end with a happy ending, movies like The Breakup stick out like a sore thumb. For those who have not seen this movie and are hoping for the couple to get back together, you can stop hoping now for they do not. I find it refreshing that the movie does not have a predictable ending however, it kind of took the spark out of the movie. With a title such as The Breakup, it is exactly what happens to the couple and it stays that way. I was hoping for a twist in the ending which would mean that the couple would get back together and would leave me even more unsatisfied. I then concluded that I cannot please myself with my choice of movie.

The movie brought to mind The Knapp Model of Relational Developement. The couple in the movie more or less went through the five stages before they finally decided to terminate their relationship. What was amusing though, was how they were so adamant not to give up and make the other party frustrated and jealous and whilst in the process of doing so, they realised how much they loved each other but also how unfit they were for each other.

The most obvious stage was when they have finally reached stagnation. The couple were so used to the ebb and flow of each other around the house that they know exactly what to do to make the other lose their mind. They also went through the stage of avoiding talk that they were not comfortable with where they said what they needed to say to please the other party.

While this movie does not truly show what happens in a usual deterioration of a relationship, it offers a peek into how a good relationship$ fails slowly eventhough it does not exactly follow the Knapp model. The movie, unlike most other, shows the downside of what happens after a couple gets together. It is a side that other movies rarely show.

"Happy endings are just unfinished stories"

The movie also shows the tender side of a breakup. A person, despite all the feelings of and emotions that come with the deterioration of a relationship, still feels for the other party as a relationship and feelings do not just end abruptly. The Knapp model shows the cruel and cold realities of a failing relationship but the movie shows another more human side of it. What is most interesting is that the movie also highlights the fact that we tend to defend the other party more and boast of thier achievements more when we are in the process of a breakup. Perhaps to justify our reason for staying with the other party for so long or as pity for the other person? The couple also become more sensitive to each other (with thier tricks, words and actions - be it good or bad) while breaking up.

All in all, I feel that the movie is highly entertaining and insightful. Although the ending is far from the ideal of what people would expect from a movie, it represents the most realistic all situation and circumstances after all that the couple have found out about each other in the process of their breakup. In my opinion, a breakup allows you to learn more about yourself and lets you have a clearer picture of what you are looking for. In the case of the movie, they know what they are looking for and they also learn more about each other. Not a bad breakup I must admit. What do you think? Is a breakup really that cruel and hurting?