Having Better Love Interests Isn't Just Good For Actresses--It's Better For Heroes, Too

Why We Really Need To Flesh Out Movie 'Love Interests'
FILE - In this publicity file photo provided by Sony Pictures, Daniel Craig, right, appears with Eva Green in the 2006 James Bond film, "Casino Royale." Whatever their role, Bond girls still must be inarguably beautiful. (AP Photo/Sony Pictures/Jay Maidment, File)
FILE - In this publicity file photo provided by Sony Pictures, Daniel Craig, right, appears with Eva Green in the 2006 James Bond film, "Casino Royale." Whatever their role, Bond girls still must be inarguably beautiful. (AP Photo/Sony Pictures/Jay Maidment, File)

On Friday afternoon, the screenwriter Zack Stentz tweeted "My heart sinks when I see a talented actress cast in a role described only as 'love interest of lead.' As filmmakers we have to do better." He's absolutely correct that it's a disappointing lapse in skill that talented writers and directors who are eager to dig into their male characters' father issues, hobbies, unusual skills, and music tastes don't seem to feel it incumbent upon themselves to write rich complementary roles for the women those men are supposed to be in love with. But it's a tweet that raises an important question to go along with the creative one. What are we supposed to think of male heroes who sleep with or date blanks?

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