The 21st century has ushered in a rejection of traditional romantic tropes. Audiences are tired of the "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" who exists only to teach a brooding man how to feel. They are exhausted by the "Love Triangle" that is really just a decision between two identical options.
Leo pulled the plug. The monitor died with a high-pitched whine. In the sudden darkness, the only light came from the small, blinking "Data" LED on his router. It was blinking in Morse code.
Even in 2003, the film likely touched on the burgeoning world of online relationships and the potential for both connection and deception.
These stories remind us that a "failed" relationship is not a failed storyline. If the characters learn to love themselves or to open their hearts, the arc is a success.
To "put together a useful story" based on this, let's look at the typical narrative arc and themes of such a film: The Story Arc: A Road Trip to Adulthood The Catalyst: