I am not offended by the assertion that women are generally more interested in relationship themes in movies then men, in fact my experience bears this out. I hope the fear of offending isn't causing anyone to self-censor. For the record, I enjoy my escapism just like anybody else. My point is why do we have so many characters in mainsteam movies like the Steve Martin one in "Father of the Bride", who at one point writes out a check for $100,000? I rarely see anybody similar to anybody I know in mainstream Holllywood movies. I barely watch tv sitcoms, but I can think of 2 examples of characters who seem closer to life than this. The Roseanne show features a woman who is hardly super-model slim, got married young etc. etc. The John Laroquette show features a main character who is a recovering alcoholic, divorced, in a mediocre job etc. Both of these shows are successful comedies, providing a half-hour of escapism. So I'll put forth the question this way. Do you listers think that when Hollywood puts out characters that are unrealistic in their affluence it is because they are out of touch with average people, who would like to see characters more like themselves? Or, are they simply providing the escapism that is sought? Simone Fary P.S. I don't think that narrative expediency can be blamed totally for showing charcters without problems. A good writer can add provide alot of information rather quickly with just the right line, action etc. You could have shown the Julila Roberts character going to school without having to get into details of the enrollment process, but without having to make it seem so effortless. It could have made her charcter seem more complex, sympathetic and interesting. ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]