I personally don't think it's so much the film that equates infidelity with "romance" but the genre itself was created in such a way that it doesn't ignore infidelity if that makes sense? I feel like it probably doesn't so I'll try to explain it further.
I recently just read the novel and watched the film (a few years behind, I know) and this same thing often bothers me until I remember that the genre and the films aren't necessarily meant to moralize infidelity as right or wrong - it's merely a story being presented.
Romance itself has nothing to do with fidelity - that's the focus of love, in my opinion. Romance is about passion, a strong yet sometimes short-lived fascination or attachment to something or someone. It's the pleasure associated with the feeling of being in - or at least believing you're in - love, no matter how deep or superficial, no matter how long it lasts or how quickly fades. I think there's a difference between "romance" films and "love stories".
I think that Katherine loved both her husband and the Count, but in different ways. She had more passion for the Count than her husband, but I believe on his part that he may have actually loved her considering how insular his life was and how few attachments he formed, especially of the romantic kind. I mean, passion and lust are good, but they wouldn't lead a man to walk days across the desert, to break out of a military jail, or to betray his country. I think as in any good romantic film, there are several layers and several different kinds of love.
He took me to his castle made of stars. . .and I followed without question
reply
share
spindlesister
13 years ago
Sometimes you find your true love years late. Sometimes you find them even while married to someone else. Yes she was married, but her love for her husband was not as deep, or fulfilling as with the Count. Katherine, I believe, knew Geoffrey for many years before getting married. Like anyone, sometimes when younger do not know any better so when he asked, she married him. Not to say she didn't love him....
I see the love between Katherine and the Count's as one that was destined, although tragic. To have met someone whom you just click with, even only after knowing them for a few hours. Someone who you share so much with. I never saw the closeness between her and Geoffrey....more a sense of obligation. But with her and the Count....WOW!!!!
He who angers you conquers you.
reply
share
erikriveros
13 years ago
colin firth (k's husband) actually does say that they've known each other since she was three and 'were more like brother and sister before they became man and wife"
it is better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it
reply
share