Thursday, April 04, 2013

New Adult Movie?


So recently I watched the move Pitch Perfect. Staring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson (she was the awful roommate in Bridesmaids). I loved it. I thought it was funny and edgy in places and of course there was a lot of singing.
And as I was watching it I thought to myself I think a woman must be directing this. Or part of it somehow, because there were just some lines that I thought were so funny that I didn’t feel like a man would understand. Elizabeth Banks provides sideline commentary during the acapella competitions that while funny is also a wink to women everywhere who know that while what she is saying is wrong, it’s also very truthful. After watching the credits I learned it was in fact written by a woman and I thought she might make a great NA writer.

Because of course there is a romantic element too. Anna Kendrick’s character has suffered as a result of her parent’s divorce. Her relationship with her father is strained. She doesn’t want to be at college, she would rather be working in music. So when she meets the funny, charming nice guy, she really doesn’t know what to do with him.
Now I would say there is probably 95% less angst in this movie than other NA books that are out there, but the premise is the same. Young girl starting her adult life with all her childhood history behind her and falling in love while doing it.

In this case it worked for me. But again that might have had a lot to do with the singing and lines like.. “Aca’Scuse me?”
But the trick with NA is believing in the HEA. Of course it’s not inconceivable to think Becca and Jesse will stay together all through college, get married and live happily ever after. But the reality is a couple who meet their freshman year probably won’t. So if I’m going to buy into NA anything as it relates to romance the trick is going to have to be letting the story end and freezing them in that moment and in that time.

I haven’t read an NA book, I’ve been reluctant to try because I didn’t know I would react to that HEA element of it, but if I can be so pleased with this movie maybe there is a chance for me and NA yet?

7 comments:

Travis Erwin said...

Interesting assessment. I'll have to check that movie out.

Karen Whiddon said...

I loved that movie too! Let's see if this post shows up, since my other ones don't usually

Eileen said...

I thought that movie was acadorable.

I don't think you have to have HEA in a NA novel. You're right. It's just not completely believable, although that said I have a couple of friends who started dating their husbands in high school and are still very happy. Anyway, I think the NA thing (for me) just has to have the heroine putting aside some of those childhood issues. The guy is almost more symbolic of her opening her heart as an adult.

Maureen McGowan said...

Acadorable. Eileen, you crack me up.

I really enjoyed Pitch Perfect too. And your take on the NA genre is interesting, Steph... To me both YA and NA romances are about first love, not ever after love...

Maureen McGowan said...

Acadorable. Eileen, you crack me up.

I really enjoyed Pitch Perfect too. And your take on the NA genre is interesting, Steph... To me both YA and NA romances are about first love, not ever after love...

Molly O'Keefe said...

It's based on a book, isn't it?

Tess Young said...

Hello There,
I just wanted to see if you were currently interested in additional guest bloggers for your blog site.
I see that you've accepted some guest posters in the past - are there any specific guidelines you need me to follow while making submissions?
If you're open to submissions, whom would I need to send them to?
I'm eager to send some contributions to your blog and think that I can cover some interesting topics.
Thanks for your time,
Tess



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