The Beauty and the Shlep

Why do so many Hollywood movies present the trope of the shleppy, tasteless cretin, recently played often by Seth Rogan, who wins the beautiful, smart, rich girl, who, in real life, is obviously way out of his league.  Like Charlize Theron.

It’s simple: in a nutshell, it appeals to crucial fantasies of both genders in the audience.  The shleppy guy, who in real life is dumb, sloppy, obsessed with sports and guns–  thinks that beautiful, smart, rich women only pretend to fall for smart, good-looking, athletic men– as they do in real life.  But in their heart of hearts, they really prefer ME!  Because I am so hot and desirable.  I am real man.  I grunt and sweat and fart on the couch.  But I’m real.  And, in a pinch, I can kill people.

For women, they see the positive aspects of a relationship with a man whom they can easily manipulate to death, out-maneuver, nag, and exploit.

Done.