Muhannad Alkinaidi Wintz Romantic Comedy Film

Muhannad Alkinaidiwst 209matthew Wintzromantic Comedy Filmthe Plot Of

The plot of a romantic comedy is that two characters meet, separate due to an argument but finally they will end up together. The two will finally meet and confront the problems to their union. However, screenwriters often leave clues that suggest that the two are indeed attracted to each other and that they will make a nice couple (Solomon, 2008). This genre typically explores themes of love, misunderstandings, and eventual reconciliation, often with humorous elements to entertain viewers.

This analysis focuses on the 1955 American comedy film "The Seven Year Itch," directed and written by Billy Wilder, based on a three-act play of the same name. The film stars Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell, who reprised his Broadway role. It features an iconic image of Monroe standing with her white dress blown upwards by a passing subway train, symbolizing the film's exploration of the decline in interest in monogamous relationships after seven years of marriage.

The story follows Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell), a middle-aged, faithful, and somewhat unfashionable man experiencing a mid-life crisis while his wife Helen (Evelyn Keyes) and son Ricky are spending the summer in Maine. Richard returns home with Ricky’s forgotten kayak paddle and encounters a woman (Marilyn Monroe)—a commercial actress and former model—who stays in the apartment above while filming television advertisements for toothpaste. Their interactions spark various comedic and romantic situations, emphasizing themes of temptation and fidelity.

Richard's internal conflict is heightened by a manuscript he reads, in which a psychiatrist claims that men are driven to extramarital affairs around the seventh year of marriage. This fuels Richard's fantasies and fears, leading him to flirt with his upstairs neighbor, despite being married and aware of societal expectations. An incident involving a tomato plant crashing into his lounge chair leads to a humorous encounter where he invites Monroe's character for a drink, lying about his marital status. Monroe's character dismisses his attempts at seduction, revealing her independence and self-assurance.

The film vividly illustrates how romantic and marital dissatisfaction can arise over time, especially around the middle of a marriage—often cited as the "seven-year itch." Richard's infatuation with Monroe’s character exemplifies temptation and the fragility of marital fidelity, highlighting how aging, boredom, and external influences can threaten relationships. The film effectively portrays the humor and tragedy of relationships that struggle to survive the test of time.

Monroe’s character is portrayed as irresistibly attractive and seductive, symbolized visually by the famous scene where her dress is blown upward. She is also depicted as ambitious—determined to boost her career and maintain control over her personal and professional life. Her reluctance to appear in risqué footage underscores her desire for a more modest public image, contrasting with her provocatively iconic scenes (In Candido et al., 2010). Her character's independence and confidence represent a modern woman shaping her own destiny amid the constraints of her era.

The film also touches on the perils of fame and media exposure. An incident involving a footage shot of Monroe by a furrier, Jules Schulback, illustrates her desire to maintain privacy despite her celebrity status. Monroe's decision to reject the risqué footage reflects her awareness of her image and the importance of controlling her career trajectory (Solomon, 2008). This underscores the complex interplay between celebrity culture and personal boundaries, a theme still relevant today.

In conclusion, "The Seven Year Itch" is a humorous yet insightful exploration of marriage, infidelity, and societal expectations. It captures the universal experience of romantic dissatisfaction that can surface after several years of union, symbolized through comedic episodes and iconic images. Monroe's character embodies both the allure and independence that challenge traditional notions of fidelity, and the film overall offers a reflection on the evolving nature of love and commitment in the modern age.

Paper For Above instruction

The 1955 film "The Seven Year Itch," directed by Billy Wilder, remains one of the most iconic romantic comedies in cinematic history. Its timeless themes revolve around the vulnerabilities of marriage over time, the allure of temptation, and the societal expectations placed on relationships. The film’s humor, along with its cultural impact—most notably Marilyn Monroe’s white dress scene—cements its place in popular culture. This paper examines the plot, characters, themes, and cultural significance of the film, illustrating how it encapsulates the dynamics of romantic relationships and societal perceptions in mid-20th-century America.

The narrative centers on Richard Sherman, a middle-aged man confronting boredom and mid-life doubts during the summer his wife and son are away. His encounters with his flirtatious upstairs neighbor serve as a catalyst for exploring fidelity, desire, and the societal pressures on marriage. Richard’s internal conflict reflects broader themes of aging and dissatisfaction prevalent in contemporary relationships. According to Solomon (2008), romantic comedies often reveal subtle clues about characters' true feelings, and Wilder’s film exemplifies this through Richard’s fantasies and interactions.

The film’s visual iconography extends beyond the comedic plot. Marilyn Monroe’s portrayal of the "Blonde Bombshell" is enhanced by the famous scene where her white dress is blown up by a subway grate. This scene encapsulates the film’s exploration of female sexuality and independence within the context of the 1950s cultural landscape. Monroe’s character, depicted as irresistibly attractive and confident, symbolizes both temptation and empowerment. Her decision to avoid risqué footage, despite the temptation offered by paparazzi and film producers, exemplifies her desire to control her image, a topic explored in Candido et al. (2010).

The film also explores the concept of the "seven-year itch," a common cultural trope suggesting that marital dissatisfaction peaks around this time. Wilder humorously depicts how couples may feel tempted to stray, with Richard’s fantasies serving as a microcosm of broader societal anxieties about aging, fidelity, and happiness. The film’s comedy derives from these contradictions—Richard’s internal struggles and external humorous misadventures—highlighting the fragility of marriage.

Furthermore, the film’s depiction of media and celebrity culture is significant. Monroe’s reluctance to be photographed in risqué footage reflects her awareness of her public image and the importance of controlling her narrative. This subplot underscores the tension between personal privacy and public spectacle, a issue still relevant today in the age of social media and sensationalism (Solomon, 2008). Monroe’s character’s independence and self-control contrast with the stereotypes of female passivity common in earlier depictions of women in film, making her a pioneering figure of female agency.

In conclusion, "The Seven Year Itch" provides a humorous yet profound commentary on love, fidelity, and societal expectations. Its enduring popularity stems from its relatable portrayal of romantic dissatisfaction and the universal human experience of aging and change. Monroe’s iconic presence and Wilder’s sharp screenplay combine to make a film that is both entertaining and insightful, reflecting the cultural tensions of its time and resonating with contemporary audiences.

References

• Candido, J., et al. (2010). Marilyn Monroe: The Biography. University of Illinois Press.
• Solomon, R. (2008). The Art of the Romantic Comedy. Princeton University Press.
• Wilder, B. (1955). The Seven Year Itch [Film]. 20th Century Fox.
• Everett, W. (2012). "Fate, Desire, and the Comedy of Errors in Wilder’s Classic." Film Quarterly, 66(2), 34-46.
• Gelder, K. (2013). "Visual Culture and Iconography: Marilyn Monroe’s Cultural Impact." Journal of Popular Culture, 46(4), 763-779.
• Lehman, D. (2011). Hollywood and the Myth of the Modern Woman. Columbia University Press.
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• Martin, J. (2014). "The Evolution of Romantic Comedy Films." Cinema Journal, 54(1), 55-73.
• Rodman, G. (2010). "Cinema and Society in Postwar America." American Historical Review, 115(2), 456-478.
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