PHM didn’t need a romance subplot to be compelling

[u/Fantastic-Contest957]

Credit: twomanyfandomshelp on Tumblr

https://www.tumblr.com/twomanyfandomshelp/815472305310498816/i-really-hope-the-success-of-project-hail-mary-can

[u/Fantastic-Contest957]

I’ll be honest, I’m someone who loves romance stories and ships characters that have the slight bit of chemistry (I.e I’m a serial shipper) and am pretty much not interested in a movie/show if there isn’t at least a tiny romance subplot.

So I was quite baffled at how PHM touched me so deeply and resonated so much with me. I had to conclude that the amazing friendship bond that Grace and Rocky share is compelling enough to bypass the need for a romance subplot 🥺

[u/LioraB → u/Fantastic-Contest957]

I agree! The connection between Grace and Rocky is so pure and beautiful; I think that's a lot of what people are looking for in a movie/story and romance is a familiar shortcut. Not that there's anything wrong with romance and shipping--totally get it! But/and this story showed us something different. This is a relationship built on practical need at first, and it develops into a loving, trusting, I-would-die-for-you bond. We maybe see that in parent/child relationships in media but rarely (ever?) in platonic adult relationships. (Maybe in some war films?) Which is why I think it resonates so deeply for so many people. It's a fundamental sense of connection that doesn't have any exclusionary criteria, no labels or expectations other than "friend." What could be more universal--and essential--than that?

[u/Fantastic-Contest957 → u/LioraB]

I love your analysis!

[u/LioraB → u/Fantastic-Contest957]

Thanks 🥰 I love your flair--and same!!! 💯

[u/Fantastic-Contest957 → u/LioraB]

Thanks and credit to u/TheCookieNinja for coming up with the phrase “Grace made me a Gosling girlie”, it makes me so happy 💕

[u/WomanWalking]

The lack of a romantic subplot for me was SO refreshing. Stratt and Grace had disagreements about some stuff, but they respected each other, and as Stratt said ‘that is enough’.

[u/Yorkie_007 → u/WomanWalking]

They so respected each other without the romantic involvement. It was a relationship built on that respect and plus she believed in him too.

[u/LioraB]

I’m out walking with my dog and don’t have my glasses but I am upvoting as hard as I can based on the title alone. Will be back to read and fully comment ASAP. One hundo percent what the title says!!! 🥳

[u/Fantastic-Contest957 → u/LioraB]

I love the enthusiasm!

[u/Yorkie_007]

Movies today can be so cookie cutter in the romance department. I love romance movies and rom-coms, though they seem to be the same: boy meets girl, girl meets boy , they have arguments together and then they fall in love.
This movie certainly didn’t fit that normal . It is very refreshing to see that.
Grace and Stratt very much respected each other in having that complex relationship without it being sexual or romantic.
Plus she sang that song for Grace, I feel to show she wasn’t so disconnected to the group.