The age of the rom-com is back! Love is in the air and movie-watchers are dying for some good romance.
It does beg the question, though: What makes a good romance? Some may believe that the pinnacle of romance is a torrid affair full of passion, sexual tension, and righteous rage. Others may enjoy a slower-paced story built upon mutual pining, intense yearning, and tearful reunions. Whether you like enemies-to-lovers, childhood friends-to-lovers, or a slow-burner plotline, one thing for sure is that society is always going to be in need of a good love story.
With the relatively recent release and success of Voicemails for Isabelle and "The Other Bennet Sister", it’s safe to say that the revival of this genre is coming with strong force and a new twist: something that could be called "The Darcy", inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This new rom-com trope emphasizes that the most romantic thing a man can do is love someone without asking or expecting anything in return. An interesting fact about this phenomenon is that the pattern is not new! From the Nicolandria craze of last year’s "Love Island" season and the heartbreaking film Hamnet to the the upcoming releases of Hadestown: The Musical and Finding Emily, it’s obvious that the best new romances come from intense devotion and men who love from a distance — essentially exactly like Mr. Darcy.
The Allure of Mr. Darcy
Now, what exactly is it about Mr. Darcy that makes him so alluring to rom-com movie watchers? Well, it’s not only his smashing good looks, tall height, and intense wealth — even though those certainly are factors — it’s his dedication to loving Elizabeth Bennet’s entire being and his commitment to changing himself into someone worthy of her love.
Mr. Darcy, in his story, did not begin as the paragon for male leads that he is now. He was brash, rude, and downright unappealing. It’s through his selfless love and deep-rooted respect for Elizabeth that forces him to transform into a gentleman. Even after harsh rejection, Mr. Darcy fought for his lady love from the shadows, eventually earning her love and devotion. He saves the entire Bennet family from social ruin and yet doesn’t brag or mention it to Elizabeth at all. His change in character is motivated by Elizabeth, but he doesn’t only change to win her back; he changes to simply become worthy of holding the title of someone who loves Elizabeth Bennet. And this devotion is something that newer films are looking to imbue into their male leads.
How To Do "The Darcy"?
No matter if the male lead is a bad boy with a troubled past or a studious athlete with a desire for true love, doing The Darcy can always come easily. All you have to keep in mind are 4 things:
1. Make Him Likable.
While a story’s Prince Charming doesn’t have to begin as a likable character, he does have to become likable at some point. Giving audiences a male lead they can root for is key to building a good romance. How the director goes about doing so is completely up to them, but as long as the transformation is believable, that character is properly doing The Darcy.
2. He Has To Work For It.
Romance should never come too easily for any male love interest. The portrayals of his utter devotion and frequent mistakes are what keep audience members on their toes. Will this man get his game together and earn her love? What will he do to show the female lead that he’s worthy of her? These are all questions an audience member may be thinking as your male lead fights for true love.
3. Stay Humble.
In order to successfully do The Darcy, even though a male lead works hard for his leading lady, he should never bring it up himself. Staying humble is the best way to keep the audience on the side of the male love interest. Keeping the male lead selfless shows the viewer that he’s truly looking for real love and not just trying to prove a point. If his escapades in love are ever mentioned by the heroine of the story, the male lead should keep a bashful and humble attitude about it.
4. Give It a Nice Ending.
Since these films are still rom-coms, it’s always nice to keep the ending light and lovely. The male lead has worked hard for love, and it’s a sweet treat for both him and the audience if he wins the heart of his lady. The ending doesn’t have to be super over-the-top with a wedding and doves; a simple kiss and an "I love you" will still have most audiences gushing for days! Joe Wright did it right with Mr. Darcy in 2005 with his adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and now new male leads can do the same with The Darcy.
