It’s Friday night. I was going to wait until Saturday to post this so you wouldn’t all know what a horrible slouch I have been today that I was able to post here THREE times, but well, I never could keep my mouth shut. :)
Just finished watching the second Bridget Jones Diary movie - I loved it. As I said on Marty’s blog the other day, I have very chick flick taste in movies, but I think anyone struggling with internal conflict and pinpointing an antoginist should watch this movie.
Okay, the movie broke some rules–(shocking I know)–the biggest being that the “big mis” was a major factor throughout, but it is a grand example that rules don’t mean diddly. The main thing I loved about the movie is that while there were some misunderstandings the real thing keeping Bridget and Mark Darcy apart was Bridget herself. Just like in the first movie/book, she was struggling with her own bad habits and insecurities. This aspect of her personality was the antagonist. I love a good woman against self story. I mean isn’t that the biggest struggle most of us have to face?
I was actually criticized by a reviewer for not having a strong enough external conflict in Love is All Around, and to be honest, all I could think at the time was phtt! (my attempt at a typed raspberry) I much prefer a story that doesn’t depend on external factors for the conflict - although I agree pulling off a story with only internal conflict is a difficult feat, and maybe the reviewer in question didn’t think I managed it. That I can take, but to just criticize a book for not depending on a big external conflict? phtt!
Anyway, if you are looking for a great example of internal conflict and an internal antagonist, check this movie out. :)
