By, Cammie Dutchess, Features Editor
Amazon Prime’s 2019 series, “Modern Love,” explores the depths of love and all of the good and bad that can come out of it.
Based on the New York Times column that shares the same name, the eight-part series divulges into the hardships of different relationships, whether they be intimate or otherwise.
In the first episode there is an unusual relationship between a woman and her suite’s doorman. In the first few minutes, without much context, the doorman seems like a creepy man who tells Maggie, played by Cristin Milioti, who she should and shouldn’t see. Whenever Maggie brings a guy over, the doorman, Guzmin, played by Laurentiu Possa, criticizes her choice in guys and tells Maggie that he isn’t right for her.
It seems a bit dramatic, at first, to think of a doorman telling a guest how to live her life and who to live it with, but when a sudden change hits Maggie unexpectedly, the bond between Guzmin and Maggie becomes fully clear.
Guzmin and Maggie’s relationship may not be an intimate one, but this episode shows that love can come in different forms, especially when you need it the most.
The second episode, “When Cupid is a Prying Journalist,” shows that people will always go back to the person that they are meant to be with.
The episode begins with Josh, played by Dev Patel, explaining his new dating app to journalist, Julie, played by Catherine Keener. When Julie asks Josh if he has ever been in love himself, the story begins to go off the record as the two divulge into their histories of love.
John found Emma, played by Caitlin McGee, at a job interview where they were competing for the same position. The two hit it off automatically and as the time passed, Josh was going to ask Emma to marry him. Unfortunately, as Emma comes home from work one day, she discloses to Josh that she cheated on him with her ex-boyfriend. Distraught, Josh left Emma in the dust. However, as months go on, he realizes that despite Emma’s flaws, he still loves her and wants to relive the connection they once had before Emma ruined it.
Julie’s love history is a little more complicated.
While in college, Julie studied abroad in Paris where she met Michael, played by Andy Garcia. A stolen book that had Julie’s address on it results in Michael standing up Julie on their first date, but 17 years later Michael shows up to Julie’s book signing and explains why he didn’t show up.
When Julie agrees to have dinner with him that night, Michael tries to convince her to rekindle what they once had many years ago. However, since they both have significant others and children at home, Julie decides she’d rather work on her faulty relationship with her husband instead.
Through Julie and Josh’s relationships, love is being tested. They both go through an experience where it is easy to give up on intimacy. However, they both fight to keep their relationships alive.
“Take Me as I Am, Whoever I Am,” the third episode, features Lexi, played by Anne Hathaway, on a “high.” After a few minutes, it’s like watching a video montage of the best of musical theater but it’s nice to watch Hathaway singing and dancing which is something that isn’t seen often.
This episode deals with mental illness and can make people uncomfortable to watch and discuss. Lexi is bipolar and about 50 percent of the time she finds herself in a low state. At these points, she is unbearable to be around. She doesn’t talk, doesn’t leave her bed and doesn’t eat. Yet, the other 50 percent of the time when she’s out of the depressive state, she has the time of her life. She wears vibrant colors, always smiles and her hair even has bigger bounce and volume. It’s at this point where she can physically get herself to work. She’s overwhelmingly productive and great at the law firm she works which helps her get by even with her awful attendance rate.
While trying to find love, it’s hard for Lexi to keep a guy around because she feels embarrassed about her condition and doesn’t tell the guy about it. She meets them when she’s in a good state, so when they see her with a contrasting mood they feel as though she’s a completely different person.
This happens when she meets a guy in a grocery store’s produce aisle. She meets Jeff, played by Gary Carr, and they hit it off automatically. But, as the days go on and her mood changes, Jeff isn’t dating the same woman who confronted him at the grocery store.
Through many failed attempts to win Jeff over, their love is lost and Lexi has to go through this process all over again. Finally, she confides her secret to a coworker and begins to feel a weight lift from her shoulders. Now, she feels more comfortable being herself and telling friends and past lovers about the sudden change in her attitude.
Each of the eight episodes deal with the challenges of love, finding it and the obstacle of keeping it alive. Whether it’s a parental love, unexpected love, or love through mental conditions, “Modern Love” shows that love is more than intimate, it comes in all scenarios.
jonesdca17@bonaventure.edu
