Film analysis

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Knocked Up Film Analysis
The film Knocked Up mainly revolves around relationships. The two principal characters, Ben Stoke and Alison Scott meet in a nightclub for the first time. The two strangers speak to each other briefly while ordering for beer. Ben and Alison engage in more conversation and eventually end up spending the night at Alison’s house. Alison gets pregnant after a one-night stand with Ben. This pregnancy results in an unplanned personal relationship between Alison and Ben. The film portrays Alison as a go-getter in her entertainment presenter job while Ben appears to be a carefree person with no official employment. Ben and Alison have an unstable connection though in some instances they are a happy couple.
Relational development theory is a model of communication that occurs between two people through the process of coming together and coming apart. The model describes the different stages of a relationship as it progresses from the beginning. The fundamental concepts are initiation, experimentation, intensifying, integration and bonding. Initiation is a brief phase where impressions matter in starting a relationship. Experimentation is the inquisitive stage where two people determine if they want the relationship to proceed depending on the information shared. The intensifying phase is a time for the two people to share intimate details about themselves and signals a need for a close relationship. Integration marks the assimilation of two people who are now dependent on each other.

Bonding involves solemnizing the relationship into a legal commitment. Differentiating starts due to different interests where a couple in a relationship starts making decisions as an individual hence creating disagreements. Circumscribing is the boundary phase where partners limit communication between each other. Stagnating is a decline stage in the relationship, but partners still stay together with the hope of improving the connection. Avoiding is a phase where people entirely evade interaction with one another. Terminating indicates the end of the relationship.
With the fundamental concepts in the progress of relationships, external and internal influences determine the path of a connection. Shared interests, personal attributes, profession, family, friends, children, communication and obligation are among the factors that determine the possibility of advancing a relationship.
The movie Knocked Up key illustrates the concepts of the relational development theory. Several factors influence the relationship between Ben and Alison, key among them is the unexpected pregnancy. Initially, when Alison discovers what Ben does for a living, she realizes they do not have common attributes, and she is skeptical. Once Alison informs Ben about the pregnancy, the dynamics of their relationship change. Alison and Ben incorporate their lives and spend time with their family and friends as a couple. Ben adjusts his life by getting a job and relocates from his friend’s house as he prepares to be a new father. Even in instances where Alison decides to end the relationship, Ben encourages her to give him an opportunity to be a better person.
Communicating in a relationship assists in sending signals, feelings and maintaining a connection. Failing to communicate symbolizes a breakdown in a relationship. Communication nurtures a relationship (Guerrero, Andersen and Afifi 16). Interaction requires that partners spend quality time with each other as well as express their feelings to sustain a mutual partnership. Communication assists in making an impression, whether good or bad.

Works Cited
Guerrero, Laura K, Peter A. Andersen, and Walid A. Afifi. Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships, 2013.