How does the film Roman Holiday depict love, romance and sex?
Roman Holiday depicts love and romance in the context of sacrifice and responsibility. It is evident that Joe and Anne have fallen in love, but they are still able to make mature decisions regarding their feelings for one another. They are able to do this because they both possess a level of virtue that prompts them to sacrifice their desire for a romantic relationship for the sake of Anne’s duty to her country. This kind of love allows them to act as whole persons and not simply as physical and emotional beings that are physically attracted to one another and emotionally involved. Anne’s decision to return to the palace and Joe’s decision not to pressure her to stay reflects their inherent recognition of the social, intellectual and moral realms of their whole personhood. If any one area of their personal wholeness were to be compromised, neither person would have lasting peace or happiness. At a high school in Northern Virginia, teens who viewed Roman Holiday were at first disappoint
