Listing of characters/couples and some theoretical notes on them. This is just to help you get started with your analysis and writing.
Vicky: (colors of love, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, love languages, triangular theory of love) no tolerance for pain or arguing. She is grounded and realistic. She wants a man who is stable and serious. Marries Doug because he is decent, successful, and committed to her.
Cristina: (colors of love, love languages, triangular theory of love) accepted suffering in exchange for a passionate relationship. She does not know what she wants in a relationship; she only knows what she does not want in a relationship.
Judy & Mark: (marital typology, social exchange theory): in a marriage that is pleasant, but not passionate. The love they originally once had, now has waned. Vicky and Doug’s relationship is the same as Judy and Mark’s relationship. Vicky is younger, and the spark is still present, but Judy tries to talk Vicky out of marrying Doug because she knows the way the marriage will be in 20 years – just like her marriage.
Judy as an individual (relational dialectic theory – integration v. separation, social exchange theory, infidelity): she strays from her marriage, and has internal conflict about her actions, but will not leave Mark because the rewards still outweigh the costs of leaving.
Vicky & Doug: (marital typology, social exchange theory, triangular theory of love) they are in a “cookie cutter” marriage. They both are trying to live that typical, traditional marriage lifestyle (which is why Judy at one point, mentions Vicky does not need a career once she has children, since her place will be at home with the kids). It is not measured by passion, but rather, out of attempting to keep up with the Joneses and advance through the ranks of society as a team.
Cristina & Charles: brief scene to illustrate that stability and money does not coincide with passionate love and free spiritedness.
Art Gallery Scene with Juan Antonio, Vicky, & Cristina: (uncertainty reduction theory, love languages, and Knapp’s Stages of Relationship Escalation begins here)
Juan Antonio & Vicky (relational dialectic theory – stability v. change, infidelity, triangular theory of love)
Julio as an individual (Juan Antonio’s father): (relational dialectic theory – expression v. non expression)
Adam & Sally: brief scene to show the way Vicky’s life will be back in the States: keeping up with the Joneses.
Bar Scene with Juan Antonio & Cristina: this brief scene illustrates that Juan Antonio and Cristina are in the bonding stage of relationship escalation.
Cristina as an individual (principle of least interest, relational dialectic theory – integration v. separation, four horsemen between Juan Antonio and Maria Elena)