Review of the TV Series 'Modern Love' - Old Wine in a New Bottle

When I first came across the title 'Modern Love', I wondered how can a basic but core human emotion such as Love be termed Old or Modern. Was the director referring to new age love via social media where dating to divorce happens in a week's time? And then I said to myself, "Enough of brain raking. Let me watch, first!".

Modern Love is a web series, written and directed by John Carney, adapted from the stories published in the column (with the same name) in New York Times newspaper. The stories in itself are an interesting read, whose links I have shared at the end.

Love is such an intense emotion that I was afraid how could the characters, though played by renowned actors such as Ed Sheeran, Anne Hathaway, Dev Patel, bring that out with efficacy in 30-odd minutes. While it’s quite understandable that it’s difficult to do complete justice to bring the complex emotion “love” out in each of the short plays, there were few impactful and touching moments splashed like tiny stars on a night sky, making the experience delightful for the viewer.

The 8-part episodes in the series captures how ‘Love’ plays out in its different forms- familial, romantic, platonic, self-love, homosexual etc. A doorman who is a complete stranger to the inmate who is undergoing mental turbulences over unexpected pregnancy, comforts and motivates her through his loving affection, which is purely unconditional; a middle-aged couple undergoing crisis in their marital life and on the verge of a divorce but coming out of it through an open-hearted conversation over a dinner; a seemingly platonic love taking a turn as the two confronts the conflicting assumptions about their relationship; and two aged people deeply falling in love like a young couple does but with a matured approach to it. And so forth.

On the whole, the series ‘Modern Love’ has made a good attempt at throwing light on the subtleties of the most intricate human relationship. But it’s just that the emotions aren’t creating an impression that it is supposed to. As with any experience in life, watching this series made me mull over following takeaways-

• Love isn’t just about kisses and hugs. There’s much more to it. Sounds cliched?! Yes, but the meaning is very profound, so no harm in reiterating. So what is Love all about. Any successful love life typically undergoes all four stages starting from disagreements resulting in fights, leading to compromises and eventually to understanding. Curious how all these components play out? Watch the last episode of this series which is aptly titled ‘The race grows sweeter near its final lap’, where the female protagonist declares that leading a happy and long married life with your loved ones involves compromises. There will be disagreements but with love entwined with compromises and understanding will help the couple overcome these seemingly big hurdles without much ado. 
• It’s important to nurture your love towards your partner by spending time with them and hearing them out with an open mind: Love is not like a Fixed Deposit, where you invest once and it keeps giving you returns periodically, without you paying no to attention it; rather, it’s like your stock investment, where now and then you must revisit and make adjustments, by keenly observing the changes in the business environment. If you don’t, you will lose not just your interest but your principal also.

• Expect love from unexpected source. Love, in fact, is available everywhere. Many crib that they don’t feel loved because they are expecting it from a specific source, say their parents, their spouses, which are the expected source, but this might not always turn out the way one wants. So, for one to lead a happy life, share and expect love from anyone from a stray dog, a new born kid to an elderly person. The more you give, the more you get!
  
• Never build your love on Assumption; it will derail the relationships.  It is essential that each partner openly clarifies their assumption.  You might wonder why would one treat life as a business! Yes. Marital life indeed is the most important business of one's life and if you are in it for long term, then face and quell the concerns. Earlier you do, better it is for you and your partner!
• Just be yourself. You don’t have to transform yourself into someone who you are not to attract someone into your life. It is important that you love yourself for the way you are. Eventually, you will find your love or the love will find you in the form and shape that is best suited for both.  But, remember, never portray yourself as someone you are not!

Interested in watching the series: 

Links to the original stories

1. When the Door man is your Main Man

2. When Cupid is a Prying Journalist

3. Take me as I am, Whoever I am

4. Rallying to keep the game alive

5. At the Hospital, an Interlude of Clarity

6. So he looked like Dad. It was just Dinner, right?

7. DJ's Homeless Mommy

8.The Race Grows Sweeter Near Its Final Lap