Blume in Love: A Liberal Fantasy Gone Wrong

In the 1973 film "Blume in Love," directed by Paul Mazursky, we find ourselves in the midst of a chaotic love triangle set in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. The story revolves around Stephen Blume, a divorce lawyer who finds himself in a personal crisis after his wife Nina leaves him for his best friend. This film, a product of its time, is a perfect example of the liberal fantasy that romanticizes infidelity and moral ambiguity, all while trying to pass off as a deep exploration of love and relationships.

Let's start with the protagonist, Stephen Blume. He's a man who embodies the self-absorbed, morally flexible archetype that Hollywood loves to glorify. Blume is a divorce lawyer, a profession that should ideally make him an expert in understanding the consequences of broken relationships. Yet, he is portrayed as a hapless romantic, a victim of his own desires. This is the kind of character that the film wants you to sympathize with, despite his blatant disregard for the sanctity of marriage. It's a classic case of Hollywood trying to make you root for the anti-hero, a trope that has been overused to the point of exhaustion.

The film's setting in Los Angeles is no coincidence. The city is often depicted as a playground for the rich and morally ambiguous, a place where traditional values are tossed aside in favor of hedonistic pursuits. "Blume in Love" uses this backdrop to further its narrative of love without boundaries, a concept that is as unrealistic as it is irresponsible. The film tries to sell the idea that love is a chaotic force that cannot be contained by societal norms, a notion that is both naive and dangerous.

The timing of the film's release in the early 1970s is also significant. This was a period marked by a cultural shift towards more liberal attitudes, particularly in matters of love and relationships. The film taps into this zeitgeist, presenting itself as a bold exploration of love's complexities. However, what it really does is promote a reckless disregard for commitment and responsibility. It's a reflection of a time when traditional values were being challenged, but instead of offering a thoughtful critique, the film opts for sensationalism.

The film's portrayal of women is another point of contention. Nina, Blume's ex-wife, is depicted as a free spirit who leaves her husband for his best friend. While the film tries to paint her as an empowered woman making her own choices, it ultimately reduces her to a mere plot device in Blume's journey of self-discovery. This is a common flaw in films of this era, where female characters are often sidelined in favor of male-centric narratives. It's a glaring oversight that undermines the film's attempt at being progressive.

"Blume in Love" is a film that tries to pass off its lack of moral clarity as a profound statement on the nature of love. It wants to be seen as a daring exploration of human relationships, but in reality, it's a shallow portrayal of infidelity and selfishness. The film's message, if it can be called that, is muddled at best. It glorifies the idea of love as an uncontrollable force, while ignoring the importance of commitment and responsibility.

In the end, "Blume in Love" is a product of its time, a film that reflects the liberal attitudes of the 1970s. It attempts to challenge traditional values, but instead of offering a meaningful critique, it settles for a superficial exploration of love's complexities. It's a film that wants to be seen as bold and daring, but ultimately falls short of delivering any real insight. It's a reminder that not all attempts at being progressive are successful, and that sometimes, the old values are worth holding onto.