Vertigo

This film so accurately depicts humanity's relationship with “love”. Love as a performance, an obsession. The desire to be with, control, own. Shallow “love” based on perceptions constructed by those so desperate for connection. Scotty becomes obsessed with Judy performing as Madeline, neither Judy nor Madeline, someone who does not exist and is merely an act. In the last third, he changes Judy's appearance only, to match Madeline, but cannot name another reason he may love her. It is entirely appearance based; the film doesn't once depict Scotty and Judy (or Judy as Madeline) having a real conversation. Judy is alone, away from her parents and still fixated on Scotty after a year. She willingly accepts his “love” to cover up her deep loneliness, out of desperation to be loved or seen. Originally trying to be loved for herself, but quickly resorting back to her performance. This lack of being vulnerable and being oneself is so prevalent in love. We rush into it, doing everything to act as the perfect person, just to run away from the growing loneliness and desperation, creating an obsession with avoiding difficult feelings. This obsession is defined as love, though it isn't really.