Thursday, March 1, 2012

Empty Love, and Ludus Style of Loving

The film Crazy, Stupid Love displays scenarios in different relationships in which can be labeled by different theories of love. One relationship can be characterized by a subcategory of Steingberg's Triangular Theory of Love, empty love. This style states that empty love is a style in which commitment is found but passion and intimacy do not exist; this relationship is seen as business-like since ending the relationship becomes too much of a hassle. A husband and his wife find themselves in a long term relationship which is broken apart when the wife decides to find intimacy and passion in another person.  Both of these characters have children and a long relationshiop history behind them, but a silent dinner scene between the couple implicitly reflects a scenario in which empty love is found.

Another character in the film begins as a single attractive man, often engaging in playful love (Ludus), one of Lee's styles of loving.  The Ludus style of loving reflects a state in which a relationship is almost purely sexual without commitment, intimacy, or a second date in most cases.  This man is often seen at a bar accompanied by many beautiful women and usually ends the night with them escorting him back to his home.  Because of a past relationship, he chooses not to commit to one single person and preffers to engage in casual play rather than build an emotional connection.  

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