There seems to be a common idea among movie directors, writers, producers and everyone else involved in the process of creating films. In nearly every movie there is always a romantic interest.
No matter the genre, no matter the character, no matter the story, no matter the theme, there is almost always a romantic subplot or side story. And quite frankly, it's disgusting.
Romance and sex aren't what make a movie good. Romance and sex aren't what make consumers want to watch a movie. Romance and sex are typically irrelevant in a movie unless it's the actual point of the film, like in the romance or rom-com genres.
The point is, not every movie needs a romantic interest.
If the plot or story isn't strong enough to bring in enough revenue or a big enough audience, then maybe they should choose a different story. If I'm interested in a movie, I'll watch it. They're not "relating to" or attracting anyone by throwing a "hot chick" into the mix.
These people are setting unrealistic expectations and making this mentality of "I need a significant other in my life in order to exist" the norm when they should be doing the opposite. Stop telling young girls they have to act and look a certain way to get the guy. Stop telling young boys they have to act or look a certain way to get the girl. Stop making the underlying messages in these films the idea that the world and everyone's lives revolve around romance and relationships.
Life is about adventure and experiences and learning. Life should be about living and doing what you want with your life. These movies are teaching people that the only point in life is finding some attractive person to spend the rest of your time with. Yes, people seek attention and generally like spending time with other people, and yes, most people do want to eventually find someone and spend the rest of their life with them, but it's OK to make movies that are simply focusing on the main plot.
If I want to watch Captain America run around and bring down Hydra and maybe take out some aliens with the other Avengers, I don't want to have to see him locking lips with the only strong and independent female character they decided to include (which is a whole other issue entirely; why aren't there more strong women in these movies?). I want him to focus on his mission and protect the world. He's Captain America.
If I want to watch "Now You See Me" then I expect to see a movie in which "an FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money," just as the summary says. I don't want to see Mark Ruffalo's character develop some random, weak relationship with a woman he seems to not even like as a person for the entire movie.
But if I decide to watch a movie like "Love and Basketball" or "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," then, of course, I expect to find a plot with romance. If I want to watch "The Notebook," "P.S. I Love You," "Love Actually," "The Vow," or any other movie that actually focuses on romance, then I'll watch it. If I want to see something like "Step Brothers" or "The Bronze" then I can watch those and appreciate the comedy and irony shown in the relationships in those movies because there's a point to it and it makes the general plot better.
My point is, there is a time and a place for romance. There is a time and place for sex or great, big love declarations. Typically, action-based movies aren't going to be that place, and the scene just before or after the huge fight scene or the climax of the movie isn't the time no matter how many times they try to tell us otherwise.
If it's necessary to the plot, then feel free to include it. But please stop throwing in random and useless romantic subplots in every single movie. It's exhausting.
