I. Introduction
The movie ‘How to Be Single,’ a romantic comedy-drama film released in 2016, is a movie that explores the benefits and challenges of being single. The movie takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery as four New York City-based women navigate the pleasures and pitfalls of their relationships.
The purpose of this article is to explore how the movie resonates with our daily lives, especially in the context of singlehood. The target audience of this article is anyone who enjoys romantic comedies, people who are currently playing or emotionally approaching the dating field, and most importantly, anyone who is single.
II. Review and Critique of the Movie
The movie is directed by Christian Ditter, with a screenplay by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein. The cinematography is excellent, depicting the setting of New York City vividly. The soundtrack features songs by popular artists that are well-matched with the scenes. The overall production effectively creates a blend of humor, drama, and romance that many viewers found enjoyable.
The plot of the movie shows four different women exploring various aspects of being single. Alice, played by Dakota Johnson, is a newly single woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery by taking a break from relationships. Her coworker Robin, played by Rebel Wilson, is the life of every party and a constant reminder that being single can be fun. Lucy, played by Alison Brie, is a character that has come to realize that finding love requires active effort. Lastly, Meg, played by Leslie Mann, is a character navigating her own journey of self-discovery and exploring future paths such as having a child. The plot, despite some instances of predictability, manages to convey the message of self-discovery and empowerment that may come with being single.
The actors execute their roles impressively, giving out believable and relatable performances. However, the primary style of humor in the movie is predictable, and sometimes, characters seem to lack depth. Additionally, some viewers found the story predictable and poorly developed with weak scenes.
III. Analysis of the Characters
The diverse female characters in the movie have individual traits, personalities, and motivations. They each have different perspectives and approaches to being alone, the dating scene, and relationships. The movie takes us through their different emotions and insecurities as they navigate the pitfalls and pleasures of being single. Each character has a unique approach towards singlehood, and the movie succeeds in showing viewers that different women deal with being single in different ways.
The uncertainties and insecurities portrayed by the characters are relatable to real-life scenarios. Alice fears being alone, Lucy is only willing to date someone who shares her religious views, and Robin is unapologetically single. These insecurities are ordinary ones that many single individuals face.
The character traits are relatable to real-life scenarios. Alice’s character represents a newly single woman who is trying to find her identity without her ex-partner’s influence. Similarly, Lucy’s character shows the importance of active effort when looking for love, which is also crucial in real-life situations.
IV. Share Personal Experiences
As the author of this piece, I have experienced singlehood for a significant part of my life. Like Alice, I explored all the freedoms and opportunities that come with being single, including taking solo vacations, focusing on self-improvement, and building new relationships. However, most importantly, I have learned the importance of self-love and the need to accept oneself fully before being ready to be in a relationship.
Many experiences in the movie are relatable to real-life scenarios. For example, Alice’s experience of dealing with the stigma that comes with being newly single and going out alone is common to many people. It is essential to embrace personal independence by engaging in solo activities that build self-confidence and remind us that there is beauty in solitude.
My advice on dealing with uncertainty and insecurity while being single is to concentrate on personal growth, finding purpose, and being open to new opportunities, including taking domestic and international trips, trying new experiences and pushing beyond the limits of one’s comfort zone.
V. Explore the Benefits of Being Single
The benefits of being single include independence, freedom, self-discovery, and self-reliance. Single individuals typically have more time and space to explore new interests and engage in activities that positively contribute to personal growth. Being single also allows for growth without external pressures, as individual growth can lead to positive and fulfilling relationships in the future.
The movie depicts these benefits explicitly through Alice’s character, who takes a break from relationships to discover herself fully. Robin, played by Rebel Wilson, is another example of embracing the benefits of being single and having fun while out alone. Realistically, the benefits of being single may have some degree of limitations in practice, but the movie successfully presents some of the potential benefits of being single.
VI. Discuss the Negative Aspects of Being Single
Being single also comes with perceived negative aspects, such as the feeling of loneliness, social stigma, and the pressure to be in a relationship. These negative aspects are commonly seen in real-life scenarios and are similarly portrayed in the film. The movie shows Alice struggling with loneliness during her time alone, and Meg portrayed the societal pressure to be in a relationship and have children as soon as possible.
It is vital to acknowledge that loneliness and social stigma can affect mental and physical health. However, instead of focusing on the negatives, one can choose to focus on personal growth, being open to new experiences, and seeking therapy or counseling if needed.
VII. Relate the Movie to Current Events
Currently, there is a shift in societal attitudes towards being single. More people are choosing to prioritize self-discovery and personal development over being in a relationship. The number of single people is also on the rise, with single-person households becoming more common.
The movie is a reflection of this current shift, promoting the idea of being single as a viable lifestyle choice that can lead to empowerment and personal growth. Additionally, the movie shows the challenges that single individuals face. These include stigma from society, societal pressure to be in a relationship, and the feeling of loneliness. These themes can help encourage conversations around the benefits and challenges of being single in our current society.
VIII. Conclusion
The movie How to Be Single successfully explores the benefits and challenges of being single, relatable to real-life scenarios. The primary themes of self-discovery, confidence, and independence are essential take-aways from the movie, as the film provides an excellent representation of some of the different aspects of the single lifestyle.
As the author of this article, I can conclude by encouraging single individuals to learn the importance of self-love and embrace the freedom and independence that comes with being single. In the end, it is the individual’s perspective, attitude, and approach towards singlehood that define the experience.
