Romcom Deceptions: The Bet or Wager
The "Bet or Wager" deception in romantic comedies one or both characters enter into a bet, wager, or agreement with an ulterior motive, typically involving the other character as the unwitting subject of the bet. The stakes can vary, but the essence of the deception lies in the transformation of the characters' intentions over time, as what starts as a deceptive pursuit evolves into genuine affection and love.
Types of Bets in Romantic Comedies
1. Dating for a Dare: One of the most common bets involves a character being dared or challenged to date someone they wouldn't normally consider their "type."This setup can lead to a series of comedic misunderstandings and situations as the "dater" tries to win over the unsuspecting party, only to find themselves genuinely falling for them.
2. Makeover Bets: This variant involves a bet to transform someone's appearance, social standing, or behavior, often inspired by the Pygmalion myth. The character making the bet usually takes on the role of a mentor, guiding the transformation process, but becomes emotionally invested in the person they're "improving," leading to unexpected romantic developments.
3. Pretending to Be Someone Else: In some cases, the bet involves one character pretending to be someone they're not, either to win a date or to achieve some other goal. The comedy and drama unfold as the character struggles to maintain their facade, with the deception leading to both humorous slip-ups and moments of vulnerability.
4. Competing for Affection: Another variation involves two characters betting that they can win the affection of a third party. This setup often leads to competitive antics and schemes, but as the characters go to greater lengths to win the bet, one or both discovers that their true feelings lie elsewhere, perhaps even with each other.
5. Accomplishing a Task or Challenge: Sometimes, the bet is about getting the other person to do something out of their ordinary behavior, like convincing a workaholic to take a day off or getting a reserved person to perform on stage. The person making the bet usually orchestrates situations to achieve this, leading to shared experiences that bring the characters closer together.
On to the examples!
TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU
"10 Things I Hate About You" is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," set in an American high school. The story revolves around the Stratford sisters: Kat, a fiercely independent and outspoken senior, and Bianca, her more popular and conformist younger sister. Their father's strict rule – Bianca can only date when Kat does – sets the stage for the unfolding drama.
Kat Stratford, portrayed by Julia Stiles, longs for a world that values authenticity over conformity, a place where her intelligence and strong-willed nature are seen as virtues rather than obstacles. Her need, though deeply buried under layers of cynicism and defiance, is to connect with someone who understands and accepts her for who she truly is. Kat's wound stems from a past relationship that ended poorly, leading her to build walls around her heart to protect herself from further hurt. This experience has instilled in her a fear of vulnerability, causing her to push people away and adopt a persona of detachment and disdain for the high school social hierarchy.
Patrick Verona, played by Heath Ledger, is introduced as the mysterious and somewhat rebellious new student with a rumored dark past. Despite his tough exterior, Patrick's longing is for a sense of belonging and purpose, something more meaningful than the reputation that precedes him. His need is to be seen beyond the rumors and his bad-boy facade, to reveal his true self to someone who cares to look closely. Patrick's wound is not explicitly detailed but is hinted at through his guarded nature and reluctance to form close relationships. His fear is of being truly seen and subsequently rejected, leading him to maintain his identity as the aloof and untouchable loner.
The plot thickens when Cameron, a new student who has a crush on Bianca, concocts a plan to get Kat to date so that Bianca can be free to date him. This leads to Patrick being hired by Joey, Bianca's wealthy and narcissistic admirer, to date Kat. Initially, Patrick's attempts to win Kat over are met with resistance, but as they spend more time together, genuine feelings start to develop between them.
"10 Things I Hate About You" uses the bet deception as a central plot device, leading to numerous comedic and engaging moments as Patrick Verona attempts to win over the seemingly impenetrable Kat Stratford. The humor often arises from Patrick's efforts to charm Kat, her resistant and sometimes abrasive responses, and the various high school settings and scenarios where their interactions take place. Here are some comedic moments resulting from the bet:
1. Patrick's Initial Attempts: When Patrick first tries to talk to Kat in the music store. He thinks this is going to be easy, but she coolly rebuffs him, highlighting the contrast between his determined efforts and her indifference.
3. Patrick's Serenade: Patrick performs a rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" accompanied by the school's marching band on the football field, while Kat is at soccer practice. His bold and public display, complete with goofy dancing and cheeky confidence, not only amuses the onlookers but also endears him to Kat despite her initial embarrassment.
4. The Detention Scene: Patrick lands in detention, where he sees an opportunity to spend time with Kat. His deliberate antics to maintain detention, including creating abstract art with a pair of scissors and his attempt to eat an entire sheet of paper, showcase the lengths he's willing to go to for the bet, all while keeping the audience entertained with his absurdity.
5. The Party: Joey's party provides a backdrop for some more humorous moments. Kat's uninhibited dance on the table, followed by Patrick's reaction and subsequent care when she hits her head, blends humor with moments of genuine connection.
These comedic moments serve to not only entertain but also to build the chemistry between Kat and Patrick, making their eventual romantic connection all the more satisfying.
Kat's passionate and unapologetic essence begins to shine through as she opens up to Patrick, revealing her intelligence, humor, and tenderness. Similarly, Patrick's true essence, that of a caring and thoughtful individual capable of deep affection, emerges as he lets down his guard with Kat.
The film reaches its emotional climax when the truth about the bet comes to light, shattering the trust and budding romance between Kat and Patrick. This revelation serves as the dark moment for both characters, forcing them to confront their fears and the consequences of their actions.
In the end, Patrick's grand gesture – buying Kat a guitar with the money he'd earned from the bet and expressing his true feelings – coupled with Kat's heartfelt poem, allows them to reconcile. This resolution showcases their growth and willingness to embrace their true selves, paving the way for a genuine and loving relationship.
HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN TEN DAYS
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" is a romantic comedy that intertwines the lives of Andie Anderson, played by Kate Hudson, and Benjamin Barry, portrayed by Matthew McConaughey. Andie, a journalist for a women's magazine, longs to write about substantial matters but is stuck covering fluff pieces. Her latest assignment, however, offers a twist: she must start dating a man and then drive him away within ten days using classic relationship faux pas. This challenge speaks to Andie's need for professional fulfillment and her desire to break free from the constraints of superficial journalism, but it also masks her deeper wound—her fear of genuine intimacy, possibly stemming from past relationships or the superficial nature of her work.
Benjamin, on the other hand, is an advertising executive who believes he can make any woman fall in love with him in ten days, aiming to win a high-stakes bet that would allow him to lead a prestigious diamond campaign. His longing is for professional success and recognition, believing that this will affirm his worth and capabilities. Beneath this ambition, however, lies Ben's need to be valued for more than just his charm and surface-level achievements. His wound is not explicitly detailed but is hinted at through his competitive nature and fear of failure, which drive him to maintain his identity as a suave, successful man who can win over any woman.
The plot unfolds as Andie and Ben's paths cross, each unaware of the other's ulterior motives. Their initial interactions are marked by Andie's over-the-top antics to repel Ben, from her clinginess to her emotional manipulation, all designed to push him away according to her article's premise. Meanwhile, Ben's efforts to woo Andie become increasingly desperate as he counters her every move with patience and calculated charm, determined to win his bet.
1. The "Love Fern": Andie gifts Ben a "love fern" as a symbol of their growing relationship, only to use it later as a tool of guilt and manipulation, humorously accusing him of letting their "love" die when the fern starts to wilt.
2. The Dog and the Poker Game: Andie surprises Ben by bringing a small dog home, much to his dismay. The situation escalates comically when she brings the dog to a poker game with Ben's friends, showcasing her knack for disrupting Ben's bachelor lifestyle.
3. The Family Album: In an effort to accelerate their relationship uncomfortably fast, Andie creates a family album featuring photoshopped pictures of her and Ben with children. The absurdity of the album and Ben's forced smile as he presents it to his boss add a layer of humor to the situation.
4. The "Therapy" Session: Andie drags Ben to a couple's therapy session, where she openly discusses their "intimacy issues" in front of a complete stranger, much to Ben's embarrassment. Her exaggerated revelations and his uncomfortable reactions make for a hilariously awkward scene.
And there's lots more, all while Ben struggles for patience to win his bet.
The turning point comes when Andie and Ben's deceptions are publicly revealed, leading to a mutual sense of betrayal. This revelation forces them to confront their fears and the superficial identities they've presented to the world. Andie realizes her fear of genuine connection and her longing for meaningful work and relationships, while Ben confronts his fear of inadequacy and his need for authentic personal and professional relationships.
In the end, both Andie and Ben must strip away their facades and confront their true feelings for each other. Andie's decision to pursue her true journalistic passions and Ben's realization of his love for Andie, beyond the confines of a bet, demonstrate their growth. Their reconciliation, symbolized by Ben's chase to stop Andie from leaving New York, culminates in their acceptance of each other's true selves, moving beyond the superficial identities they once clung to, and embracing the essence of genuine love and vulnerability.
There must be something about the number ten and bets. Because both of these films provide audience with hilarious scenes as the characters attempt to win a bet, and wind up winning at love.