"Before Sunrise"

          The love between Jesse and Celine in "Before Sunrise" blossomed and progressed because of the conversations that they shared with each other, but I also believe that what they perceived of each other at first glance (whether it was love, lust, or just interest) played a big part in whether or not the conversation would have taken place to begin with. During the scene where they were pretending to talk on the phone with their friends, Celine admitted (indirectly) that she had sat next to Jesse on purpose. The argument could be made that Jesse, who was the first to speak, also spoke to her based on her looks. He saw a pretty woman sit down next to him and could assume that she was intelligent from the book she was reading, sensible from the way she avoided the arguing couple, and eager by the way she looked at him several times when she sat down across from him. Maybe it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but the cynical side of me is convinced that the rest of the movie never would have happened if Celine looked like Bea Arthur or if Jesse had a clubbed foot.
          Cynicism aside, their feelings for each other seemed more immediately mutual than it would have if their relationship was simply based on love at first sight. There wasn’t really a game of cat and mouse. Their objectives had more to do with intellectual intimacy than physical intimacy which, in my opinion, resulted in a more stable outcome than pure lust would have. This is evident when Celine stops to think about whether or not they should have sex and they talk about wanting to meet again. This movie also asks the audience what the difference is between being with someone for years or spending a short 24 hours with them.  Not asking “what’s the difference?” as if to imply that there is no difference, but really asking the audience, “What is the difference?” Is it possible to have a fulfilling relationship with someone you’ve known for hours as you would with someone you’ve known for years? Does liking each other mean that you have to be together, or can one encounter be enough?
          Because the movie brings so much attention to the length and progression of relationships that have been deemed the norm and how Celine and Jesse’s relationship breaks this norm, I don’t think that they will meet again in six months. They both have dealt with their own sad versions of long term relationships and they both seemed a little bitter because of them. If they don’t meet again, then they can keep this perfect memory of their relationship and prevent those memories from being ruined by a break-up or a bad experience. 

"Annie Hall"

There were many instances where gender roles and stereotypes were supported in Woody Allen's film, "Annie Hall". The most prominent instances had to do with female stereotypes. Annie mentioned that a tennis match where the men played against the women wasn't “fair” and Annie called Alvy over to her house because she was afraid of a spider. These type of situations reinforce the role of the women being weaker or helpless. Annie was also portrayed as being a terrible driver, which goes along with the stereotype that women are bad drivers (a stereotype that I personally resent). And throughout the movie, Alvy says to Annie (and also to the cartoon wicked queen from Snow White) that she must be upset because she is on her period (I lied before, I hate this stereotype the most).

There were many stereotypes about men presented in this film as well, Alvy’s libido being the most obvious. Alvy is very concerned with sex and it is the downfall of many of his relationships. He isn’t getting enough in one relationship, he isn’t giving enough in the other. When he is not receiving enough sex, and constantly asks for it or complains about it, his character is feeding into the stereotype that men are way too concerned about sex (while the woman denying sex  because she is "tired" or "has a headache" is just being the “typical” woman).

"Annie Hall" also made me reevaluate the importance of sex within a relationship. From the movie, "Kissing Jessica Stein", it became clear that love without sex, even something that appears to be romantic love, plateaus into intense friendship. So, sex is arguably important to romantic relationships. But "Annie Hall" brings up the concept of sex as a way to gauge the relationship. It is no longer about whether or not the couple is having sex, but what kind of sex. If someone needs “artificial stimulation” in order to have sex, is there something wrong with the relationship? If a couple needs to use a “large vibrating egg” during sex, is there something wrong with their relationship? In today's society, most couples would see a large vibrating egg as something new and exciting- a way to spice up the relationship- but Alvy seemed to disagree.

I think sex can be a useful indicator of the status of the relationship, but there are some instances when a quirk might not have anything to do with the relationship at all. Sex is something intimate that is shared between two (or more) people, but it also has a lot to do with the individual. It's like eating. Just because someone isn't hungry, doesn't mean that they never want to eat again. Focusing too much on sex, the way Alvy did, can greatly hinder a relationship because although it is an important aspect of romantic love, it isn't the only aspect.