Discussion Main / TheObstructiveLoveInterest

I took this example off its film's page, where it was a Zero Context Example, and I don't think it fits better here.

• In the film of Stardust, Victoria Forrester is a big one of these. We're not meant to like her, and The Hero comes round eventually. In the original book, she's a lot more sympathetic, mainly because she seemed to make her claim sarcastically and didn't actually expect the Hero to try to fulfill it, feeling guilty when he does.

I tried to add context before realizing that she doesn't actually fit the trope as described. She's not a true love interest that the hero gets in the end, she doesn't hang around causing problems. She's there to send Tristan on the adventure by setting up the Engagement Challenge, and that's about it.

I'd like to add a comparison with Career Versus Man, because this is often the male equivalent of that trope - it's just that we already know which choice is the "right" one for the protagonist. Going off to fight aliens in space instead of staying home with your spouse and family makes you a brave, selfless hero if you're male and a cold, selfish bitch if you're female. So when The Obstructive Love Interest nags at the hero to stay home with her, we know she's wrong because fighting aliens is the "right" choice for him, and we find her annoying and petty because why can't she realise that?

Edited by 2.71.196.123