Today my wife and I were debating what makes a good fantasy/romance, and while there were some common titles on both our lists (The Princess Bride, Ever After), one that the discussion kept coming back to is Stardust. For those of you who might not remember this mid-2000s film, Stardust was a fun, sweet-natured fantasy film based on the novel of the same name by master story-crafter Neil Gaiman. The tale involves Tristan, an enthusiastic young shopkeeper who ventures into the fantasy land “beyond the wall” in search of a fallen star, in a somewhat hopeless attempt to win the hand of the spoiled and vain Victoria. However instead of finding a meteorite, he finds the beautiful and prickly Yvaine, who has been knocked from the sky by a King testing his sons as a way of settling the succession. What ensues is a rollicking adventure, where the pair must fight through witches, sky pirates and a murderous prince to finally settle the question of who becomes king, and to whom Tristan gives his heart.
So what makes this romance stick in my mind? The story starts with a clever subversion, Tristan only viewing Yvaine as an object through which he will win the hand of Victoria – the old “transactional” romance where the hero has to either kill something or retrieve a physical object for true love to reign. However, in spending time with Yvaine, and through the way they co-operate and defend each another to defeat the plot challenges, Tristan becomes drawn more and more to the haughty, intelligent, then warm and sincere star. Tristan’s story is one of emotional maturity, reflected in his growing physical capability. He moves from boyish infatuation with Victoria to facing whatever dangers and tasks lie ahead with Yvaine – not because he thinks he will get a prize out of it, but because that’s what you do for someone you truly love.
Yvaine’s story line is the one that interests me more. As a star, Yvaine was only able to observe men and women going about their lives, and this gives her a degree of insight (juxtaposed against her discomfort as she tries to find her way on the ground). What she sees in Tristan is a man of action – someone who is brave, who will follow through on his word, and will blithely leap into the unknown even if he’s unsure he’s up to the challenge. Yvaine sees the qualities in Tristan that Victoria overlooked, and because of it, she grows to love him.
And here’s where Good Writing Matters. Yvaine offers her love to Tristan, wholeheartedly and unashamedly. Not because he’s completed a quest or done something to “deserve” her, but simply because she loves him. Romance is not presented in this story as the prize to be won, but as something that is offered without strings attached. Don’t believe me? At the story’s climax, it’s Yvaine, not Tristan, who defeats the head of the witches, by using the love she already has for him.
Agree? Disagree? Wish I’d covered Ladyhawke instead? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!
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