Hidden Identity Trope Part II

Welcome back to the second week of our Trope a Month exploration, where we're unraveling the mysteries and intrigue of the Hidden Identity trope in romance writing. 

Last week, we laid the foundation by defining this captivating narrative device: a character conceals their true identity from others in the story, driven by motives ranging from protection and fear to a desire for genuine love and acceptance. This week, we're about to journey through the world of cinema to see our trope come to life in some of the most memorable films. The selection of films showcases the incredible versatility and universal appeal of the Hidden Identity trope, illustrating just how powerful and impactful this narrative device can be across different genres and settings.

EXAMPLES

Cyrano de Bergerac

Cyrano de Bergerac is a classic play that beautifully employs the Hidden Identity trope, written by Edmond Rostand in 1897. This timeless narrative has inspired numerous adaptations across different media, including the film Roxanne, which is a modern retelling of the story. 

The story centers on Cyrano de Bergerac, a gifted poet and swordsman known for his large nose, which makes him feel unworthy of the love of his cousin, the beautiful Roxane. Despite his feelings for her, Cyrano is convinced that his appearance makes him unlovable. 

Roxane, however, falls in love with Christian, a handsome new cadet in Cyrano's company, but she is also deeply moved by the soulful poetry he seemingly writes to her. Unbeknownst to Roxane, it is Cyrano who pens these letters for Christian, who lacks Cyrano's way with words. Cyrano agrees to help Christian woo Roxane, sacrificing his own love for her happiness, thus creating a complex triangle where Roxane loves the soul of Cyrano but the appearance of Christian. 

Cyrano hides his identity behind Christian. As Roxanne reads the poetry she thinks Christian is penning, it’s Cyrano’s True Essence that she’s falling for. The Dark Moment happens when Roxanne comes to realize that Christian cannot possibly be the man who pens the poetry. Unfortunately, the play is a tragedy, and even after Cyrano is revealed as the true hero, love does not win the day. But it inspired one of my favorite movies of all time!

Roxanne

The 1987 film Roxanne updates the setting of the play from France to a small American town and transforms Cyrano into C.D. Bales (played by Steve Martin), the witty, big-nosed fire chief who falls for the beautiful and intelligent astronomer Roxanne (played by Daryl Hannah). Like Cyrano, C.D. is self-conscious about his appearance and helps a handsome but inarticulate younger man, Chris, to woo Roxanne by writing eloquent letters and giving him romantic advice, all while harboring his own love for her.

Roxanne cleverly adapts the original play's themes, focusing on the importance of inner beauty and the value of intellectual and emotional connection over physical appearance. The film is both a romantic comedy and a thoughtful exploration of identity, love, and self-acceptance, retaining the heart and soul of Cyrano de Bergerac while presenting it in a context that is relatable, humorous, and ends happily ever after.

The central conflict arises when Roxanne falls for the handsome but inarticulate firefighter Chris, who lacks the eloquence to express his feelings. Seizing an opportunity to express his unspoken love for Roxanne, C.D. agrees to help Chris by writing poetic and soulful letters to her, under Chris's name. These letters, filled with passion and intellect, are the medium through which Roxanne falls in love with the essence of a man she believes is Chris.

The revelation that C.D. was the true author of the letters brings to light the Hidden Identity and the lies that facilitated this unusual courtship. For Roxanne, the discovery is a betrayal, not only of trust but of her affections. She had fallen in love with the man behind the words, and the realization that this man was actually C.D.—and not Chris—leaves her feeling deceived and conflicted. The fact that C.D. did not trust in the possibility of her affection for him, beyond the superficialities of physical appearance, adds to her sense of betrayal.

This Dark Moment is compounded when Roxanne rejects C.D., despite her feelings for the man she discovered through the letters. Later, Roxanne comes to understand that her love for C.D. was genuine, recognizing the beauty of his true essence—the very qualities that had drawn her to him through his writing. The film culminates in a heartfelt resolution where Roxanne and C.D. reconcile, affirming that true love transcends physical appearances to embrace the soul's beauty within.

Both Cyrano de Bergerac and Roxanne showcase the Hidden Identity trope, demonstrating how love can transcend physical appearances and societal expectations. These stories remind us of the power of words, the beauty of the soul, and the courage it takes to reveal one's true self.

You Got Mail

You've Got Mail is a romantic comedy that merges the charm of 90s New York with the then-emerging world of online dating, creating a narrative that's both timeless and nostalgic.

The plot revolves around Kathleen Kelly (played by Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (played by Tom Hanks). Kathleen owns a small, cozy bookstore in New York City called The Shop Around the Corner, which is a nod to the 1940 film that serves as a distant predecessor. Joe, on the other hand, is part of the Fox family, which owns a chain of mega bookstores. These mega bookstores pose a significant threat to smaller, local shops like Kathleen's due to their ability to sell books at a lower price.

The twist comes with their online personas. Kathleen and Joe, unaware of each other's real-world identities, meet in an AOL chat room and begin an anonymous email exchange. Despite their businesses being rivals, they find themselves drawn to each other through their correspondence, sharing their dreams, doubts, and daily experiences without the pressure of real-world judgments or expectations.

As their online relationship flourishes, their offline feud escalates. Kathleen's shop struggles to stay afloat amid the competition from Fox Books, and she becomes increasingly resentful of Joe, whom she views as the embodiment of her challenges. Joe, upon discovering that his anonymous correspondent is actually Kathleen, faces a moral and emotional dilemma. He begins to fall for her but is torn about revealing his identity, fearing it might ruin their connection.

The film navigates Joe's efforts to reconcile his real-world identity with his anonymous online persona, attempting to win Kathleen's heart both in the digital and real world. It's a delicate dance of truth, deception, and the discovery of love beyond the confines of physical and digital identities.

The movie culminates in a Dark Moment scene where Kathleen finally learns that Joe is her anonymous pen pal. This revelation comes after she has already begun to see him in a new light, complicating her feelings but ultimately leading to a hopeful future together.

You've Got Mail captures the essence of romantic discovery in the age of the internet, blending the complexities of identity, love, and competition into a story that remains beloved by many. The use of the Fake Identity trope adds layers to their relationship, allowing for a rich exploration of identity versus essence.

While You Were Sleeping

While You Were Sleeping stars Sandra Bullock as Lucy, a lonely transit token collector who saves the life of a man, Peter, she has been secretly admiring from afar. When a series of misunderstandings leads Peter's family to believe that Lucy is his fiancée while he's in a coma, she is quickly embraced by them, finding the warmth and family connection she has always craved.

The humor and heart in the film largely stem from the situational comedy of Lucy's predicament. As she becomes more entwined in the lives of Peter's family, the more difficult it becomes for her to maintain the charade. Yet, it's in these moments of pretense that Lucy's genuine kindness, humor, and love shine through, endearing her to the family and, notably, to Peter's brother, Jack.

Jack, played by Bill Pullman, is skeptical of Lucy at first but gradually sees through the façade to the person she truly is; thus falling for her True Essence. Unlike the relationship built on a lie with Peter, Lucy's connection with Jack develops authentically, filled with genuine moments of connection, understanding, and mutual attraction. This budding romance is the heart of the film, showcasing how true love can emerge from the most unexpected and complicated of circumstances.

The Dark Moment comes when Lucy, standing at the altar ready to marry an awakened Peter, confesses that she cannot go through with it because she is in love with Jack. This moment of truth is both the collapse of her constructed identity and a powerful narrative arc that highlights the courage it takes to be honest, and the unpredictable nature of love.

While You Were Sleeping utilizes the Hidden Identity trope to demonstrate how pretense can sometimes lead us to our most authentic selves, and how the heart, in its quest for true belonging, knows no bounds. The film's blend of comedic situations and heartfelt emotions makes it a beloved classic, resonating with anyone who believes in the magic of finding love where and when we least expect it.

Coming to America

I’m choosing to breakdown Coming to America because it’s one of my childhood faves, but this could also work for the fairly more recent The Prince and Me. 

In Coming to America, Prince Akeem, portrayed by Eddie Murphy, is the crown prince of the fictional African nation of Zamunda. Disenchanted with the idea of an arranged marriage and yearning for a partner who will love him for his personality rather than his title, Akeem decides to travel to America under the guise of a foreign student. Accompanied by his loyal aide Semmi, Akeem arrives in New York City, concealing his royal identity to find a woman who loves him for who he is, not what he has.

The film beautifully juxtaposes Akeem's royal life with his experiences in America, where he takes on menial jobs and lives modestly, endeavoring to blend in. It's in this unassuming context that he meets Lisa, a kind-hearted and independent woman who captures his heart. Lisa, unaware of Akeem's true identity, is drawn to his genuine, respectful nature and his evident contrast to the materialistic values around her. Their relationship develops on the basis of mutual respect and affection, with Akeem's princely essence—his integrity, compassion, and wisdom—shining through his humble facade.

The reveal of Akeem's true identity serves as the Dark Moment, thrusting Lisa into a whirlwind of emotions. She feels betrayed and deceived, having believed Akeem to be a simple student, not a wealthy prince. This revelation forces her to confront her feelings and the foundation of their relationship, questioning the authenticity of Akeem's affections and her own perceptions.

In the revelation scene, Lisa comes to realize that her connection with Akeem was never about wealth or status, but about the person he is. Akeem's True Essence, which she was drawn to from the beginning, remains unchanged by the revelation of his identity. In understanding this, Lisa recognizes that Akeem's attempt to hide his royalty was not a deception intended to hurt her but a desire to be loved for himself, not his title.

Variations of the Trope

Secret Royalty/Nobility

A character hides their royal or noble lineage to find true love or escape the burdens of their status. My favorites are Coming to America” and The Prince and Me. Hidden royalty is a Hallmark speciality!

Undercover Lover

One character is undercover (for work, investigation, etc.) and falls for someone while concealing their true purpose and identity. Never Been Kissed anybody?

Gender-Bending Disguises

A character disguises themselves as a different gender, leading to complicated romantic entanglements. Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is a classic example, influencing countless stories like She's the Man.

Online Anonymity

Similar to You've Got Mail, characters form a connection online under pseudonyms, with the story exploring the impact of technology on relationships and identity. Unlike many catfish stories, these end with a happily ever after.

Class Crossed Lovers

Characters from different social or economic classes hide their backgrounds, reminiscent of stories like Cinderella.