The Breakup Analysis

Near the end of the film, as she breaks up with her long-time boyfriend, Brooke Meyers says to Gary Brobowski "I don't know how we got here" (Reed, 2006). Completely incompatible and deep in a quagmire of irreconcilable differences; the couple's expectations, notions of love, poor communication, and lack of effective conflict resolution are how they get "there." The only thing the two share in common is that they fell in love, but that feeling is long gone as we watch a series of sour exchanges and incidents that only drive them further apart despite sharing the same condo because neither will relinquish its ownership to the other. This analysis will explain how the expectations, notions of love, communication challenges, and lack of conflict resolution skills undermines the couple's love. Relevant theories of sociology, including social exchange and conflict theory, will be offered to support the analysis. A conclusion will argue whether the couple should remain apart or attempt a future reconciliation, as the film's ending suggests.

Different expectations and notions of love, poor communication skills, and passive-aggressive conflict handling skills characterize the breakdown in the relationship of Brooke and Gary. With respect to expectations, Brooke wants a mate who listens to her and can communicate with her. She also expects a mate to be interested in some of the things she's most interested in, like fine art. Gary, in contrast, thinks Michelan

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o and more capable of expressing her deepest feelings and emotions. Even so, the two often become involved in hostile, angry exchanges with passive-aggressive communication tactics and behavior. When they fight about Richard's intrusion into the condo, Brooke challenges Gary's manhood, "Please, come on. You know what; you're just embarrassed because Richard kicked your ass" (Reed, 2006). When they argue over Brooke's interest in art, Gary becomes sarcastic and insulting, "I shouldn't sit here and pick on your art, because you've got the 'nuts' down, Picasso! All you have to do is cut off your frigging ear" (Reed, 2006). Brooke's response is equally insulting, as she insults Gary's lack of knowledge by informing him it was "Van Gogh" who cut off his ear. Instead of calmly and compassionately discussing their issues directly, they engage in hostile conflict or act passive-aggressively toward each other. When Brooke wants to make Gary jealous, she engages in a series of dates that makes her seem like first prize on an Internet dating site. In retaliation, Gary hires a group of strippers. There are a number of sociological concepts that also illustrate the reasons why Brooke and Gary are incompatible. Inequality pl

Category: Film - T