The Dark Knight Rises: 20 Mistakes Nolan Should Have Avoided

19. The Lack of Romantic Gestation (Again)

By the end of the film, we are supposed to believe that Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne are ready to spend the rest of their lives together, wandering off into the sunset hand in hand, embroiled in a relationship strong enough to draw Wayne's attentions away from Batman and Gotham. For that to be authentic, we would have needed to see Bruce Wayne's moment of revelation as a direct result of his interactions with Selina Kyle, and not, as it actually felt, because of what his vision of Ra's Al Ghul, and Alfred's guilt-pricking monologue. To convince that Selina was an appropriate enough companion for Wayne, there would have to be some serious emotional development to their relationship, and yet, it's even less noticeable than the bond between Wayne and Miranda Tate that leads to them having sex. Aside from some loaded banter, and interest in each other that swings from intrigue to concern and back, there is very little in terms of explicit moments or exchanges between the two that suggests real love is blossoming, and yet that is the final image we are presented of the two characters. Yes they have chemistry, and yes they look good together, but is that enough of a foundation for their ongoing relationship? I'm not so sure.
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