Scarlett Johansson's character Anna is not a totally honest person because she is willing to get into a relationship with someone who is already in a relationship. This shows that she has low self-esteem because she accepts someone who isn't fully committed to her. I also think she is naive for thinking that she can change a man who is willing to cheat on his wife- a woman who her clearly loved at another point in his life. The idea of changing a person for yourself is somewhat narcissistic, because you believe that something about you will make you more important than the woman he decided to marry the first time. I know many people who put themselves into situations like this and relationships where they expect to change someone for the better, and most of the time nothing changes. it is sad to see people get hurt by relationships like this, just like Anna does when she gets the realization that Ben really has a wife that he is still in a relationship with.
Gigi is desperate to make a connection with any guy that is willing, and is constantly reading into the signs of reasons he might not like you. I myself and all my friends have done this at one time or another, because especially in high school relationships, its often uncommon for the guy to just decide to "make it happen" and ask you out. We don't really do trial dates, where people hang out just to see if they are compatible. I have friends who obsess over every guy and constantly look for signs or try to pick out the positive actions and words from an overall negative guy who is clearly not in it for a relationship. I think the way she goes about things is naive, and can lead to real hurt in the end if she ran into the wrong type of guy who misused her vulnerability and romanticism.
Mary and Conor are both genuine characters who really value interaction and are great together. She wasn't rushing and desperate to find someone because she felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping up incessant technological contact. She is surprisingly cute and charming in person, and her brightness makes her a very appealing person. Conor pours himself into Anna because he is confused by the signals she gives him and he is really looking to make that connection to move into a serious relationship. When she ends the relationship, he is able to move on in a healthy way, and puts himself back out there. He finds Mary and the two hit it off because they are both personable characters who give what they really feel and put effort into relationships. This couple reminds me of the successful relationships I have seen with parents and friends because they are two people that seem down-to-earth and realistic about relationship expectations.
Beth and Neil have my favorite relationship, because it shows that marriage is not the ultimate definition of a good relationship. Ben and Janine have an unhealthy marriage, while Beth and Neil have a beautiful, committed, caring relationship. The two are there for each other when the other needs supports, and have a touching closeness. They are comfortable with each other and have been happy for a long time together. At the end of the movie, both are willing to compromise their beliefs for their love of the other person- Neil proposes, and Beth is willing to stay with him even if marriage is taken off the table. They remind me of my and some of my friends parents, who have been together through thick and thin, and have made sacrifices and compromises for each other throughout the years.
These relationships have given me some insight and personal thought on what i consider a healthy relationship. This relates to our course, because our course pushes identifying with our own values, and how they contrast or coincide with the churches values. I think I value a relationship like Beth and Neil's the most, and in addition, like the church, I also value the concept of a committed marriage and the effort to start and raise a family.
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