Star Wars and Not Enough Conflict
To George Lucas:
Georgie, dear, stop trying to write romance. You don’t get it. True romance means conflict, fun dialogue, and heroes and heroines who are feisty. They don’t go mooning over each other–”You’re so beautiful.”
“Only because I’m in love with you.”
Gag me with a blender. 
True romance involves real life. You were dead-on with Han Solo and Leia. “I love you.”
“I know.”
See, now that’s funny and believable. That’s real. Episodes II and III weren’t real. They were forced. I would love to get my hands on your scripts and rewrite them. Anakin Skywalker would NOT be running to embrace his 9-months-pregnant wife when she goes across a galaxy to see him. He’d be demanding, “What the hell are you doing? Are you crazy? What if you’d gone into labor?” Then he’d have hugged her, etc. etc.
And the whole hair-brushing scene where he’s mooning and fawning over her beauty? :blahblah: Come on. Any man with a brain cell would have grinning and telling her to come and see his big light saber. 
George, George, George. You just don’t get it, do you?
Aside from the romance, the rest of the movie was great and I enjoyed it. :starwars:
As for me, I hit a screeching halt on my book yesterday. Not enough conflict. Is there a little conflict shop where I could go pick some up? Must work on the synopsis today and figure this out. I only wrote three pages yesterday. :loser:
Michelle posted in Life and So On, Writing @ 7:02 am | Viewed 1719 times
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
:starwars: Sorry you didn’t like the movie, Michelle. I haven’t seen it yet. I’m waiting for the dvd. And hey, three pages is three more than you had
MaryF Says:
GREAT letter, Michelle! And you’ll find your way. I need to boost my internal conflict, too.
Michelle Says:
Actually I did like the movie. It was hilarious in some parts, but it’s the just the romance part that was unbelievable. The rest was just fine.
Suzanne Says:
Yes, there is a little conflict shop. It’s right next to the plotting shop. I’d tell you where, but then I’d have to kill you.
kacey Says:
there is a conflict shop, but like Suzanne, I can’t tell you where it is. Sorry. It’s a secret..
Caro Says:
The thing is, Lucas didn’t write that wonderful exchange in Empire; Lawrence Kasdan did, along with some on-setting reworking by Harrison Ford.
Ford’s description of Lucas’ dialogue: “You can type this shit, George, but you can’t say it.”
I actually have that quote posted by the desktop computer in the office and have for years — it’s a reminder that what looks good on the page doesn’t necessarily sound good, which is why I read my work aloud to my husband.
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Oh LOL:duh: ….I completely missed the part about you liking the rest of the movie…guess I wasn’t awake yet
Yeah, we’ll go with that excuse hehehehehe:whistle:
Tori Says:
And George himself admits his dialogue isn’t the best. He was poking fun at himself on the AFI Lifetime Achievement thing the other night. :starwars:
Lyvvie Says:
I haven’t seen the movie yet:hissyfit: but it seems everyone else has. Ah well…let’s hope it’ll be out on DVD soon enough. Hmm…trouble with conflict, I always find seeing/reading or even being involved in some good conflict helps.
A good BlogPal of mine has her blog stalked by her nast half-sister…you could read that for some inspiration if you want, http://afishinjapan.blogspot.com/ , her sister has a mimick blog to see that just substitute the word fish for freak. It’s pretty interesting. I know it’s not a lover’s spat, but well, I dunno…conflict is conflict *shrug*
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving comments, it’s much appreciated!
Danica Says:
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but this sounds about what I’ve been hearing. Won’t be plunking down my ten bucks to brave the theaters. I’ll just wait for the DVD like I always do.
Crystal* Says:
I’m sure I saw a conflict clutch by the synopsis shop on IWISH WAY. Uh huh.
I’ve heard the same complaints from females on the SITH movie. Lucas doesn’t get it. Which is fine. Because a lot of his audience could give a flip about Padme. As long as she squeezes out Luke and Leia.
Grins*
Michele Says:
Too funny. Anyway, yup, I saw it too. It was better action-wise than the first 2 - as lame as the 2nd with the romance– like everyone was saying. And what was she wearing whilst she was running around chasing Anikin? How sexy did she think she was being wearing a garment that short while being THAT pregnant? She wasn’t going to the beach, although a volcanic planet would be kinda hot.:angry:..still! A Hazmat suit would have been more in line what with the sulferous fumes and all….no one seemed concerned about that though, you notice???
Oh, I really enjoyed the fact that all Wookies like to vine swing and yodel like Tarzan -:thumbsup: My favorite part…
Conflict–a visit with the in laws do that just fine.
Jill Says:
I need a trip to the conflict shop too!
Steph T. Says:
I’m going to stalk Suzanne and Kacey until the tell me where the conflict and plot shops are.:help::coffee2:
We’re going to see the movie this weekend I think. But that whole, I love you / I know, is the all-time best. You can’t beat it.:banana:
Amy K. Says:
*Lining up behind Steph to stalk Suzanne and Kacey and their conflict shop*
I haven’t seen any of the movies, but you did make me laugh. I’ve heard some of the same. Step aside, George. Michelle is taking over.
Michelle Styles Says:
The problem with Anakin and Padme story is that there is not enough conflict between them. Why does she fall in love iwth him? Why is keeping their love a secret so important? One never feels that the Jedi council are about to find out? The stakes are alluded to, but never spelt out. How is keeping their a love secret benefitting either one? More importantly why should the viewer care? And how when Anakin goes to the dark side should Padme feel? Should she reject him? This man is the father of her children and he has just slaughtered innocent people. And nothing…
Josie Says:
I liked that George could poke fun of himself about his writing!
I was thrilled by the lightsaber fights, but tried not to cringe whenever Anakin and Padme were in the same room together. I felt there was more chemistry between Obi-Wan and Padme, or even Obi-Wan and Anakin, than there was between that Romeo and Juliet from a galaxy far, far away.
Michelle Says:
Josie–I just love Ewan MacGregor. He had more charisma than anyone. I named a character Ewan in one of my recent books, just because of him. :starwars:
Michelle Says:
Michelle S.–good points! I think that’s one of the major weaknesses. If there were true consequences, we might care more about their situation, but it seems forced.