The star of Netflix’s current biggest movie has defended the film following backlash.
Purple Hearts, an original for the streaming service, has become the most-watched film on Netflix with nearly 102.6 million viewing hours across the world since 1 August - beating the likes of The Gray Man, which reached 96.5 viewing hours over that period of time.
But regardless of the number of eyes glued to the screen, it hasn’t stopped some viewers from finding issues with the plot.
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Despite the seemingly romantic storyline, many viewers found Luke’s controversial right-wing beliefs - which were apparently forgotten by left-wing Cassie in their journey to love - problematic.
But Sofia Carson, who played main character Cassie, told in a recent interview that she’s proud to be a part of the film.
The 29-year-old told Variety: “Why I fell in love with the movie is that it’s a love story but it’s so much more than that.
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“It’s two hearts, one red, one blue, two worlds apart, who are really raised to hate each other. Through the power of love, they learn to lead with empathy and compassion and love each other and turn into this beautiful shade of purple.”
According to the film’s synopsis, "In spite of their many differences, Cassie (Carson), a struggling singer-songwriter, and Luke (Nicholas Galitzine), a troubled marine, agree to marry solely for military benefits.
“But when tragedy strikes, the line between real and pretend begins to blur.”
Previously, home-viewers pointed out: “Everyone hyped up Purple Hearts on TikTok because it’s ‘enemies to lovers’, but what they failed to mention is that they're 'enemies' because the guy is a racist conservative and the girl is a minority liberal.”
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Meanwhile, another person explained: “The way Purple Hearts isn't even subtle but blatantly anti-Arab, anti-Hispanic, racist, misogynistic AND pro-military propaganda but people are frothing at the mouth because ‘enemies to lovers’. YEAH, THEY'RE ENEMIES BECAUSE HE'S A PRO-GUN CONSERVATIVE SOLDIER AND SHE'S A LATINA LIBERAL.”
Someone else added: “Purple Hearts is not a romance it is a horror film because I literally cannot think of anything more terrifying than having to marry a military dude to afford my insulin."
While another person echoed: “Wait there’s a Netflix ‘rom-com’ about a type one diabetic who can’t afford her insulin so she marries a man in the military for his health insurance benefits. Baby that’s a horror movie omg.”
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Another person reflected on their thoughts that a love story that controversial could ‘only work in books and movies’.
They said: “‘Enemies to lovers’ only works in books and movies. Imagine ending up with these homophobic and misogynistic people you’ve blocked on here who literally don’t believe in your human rights as a woman. Yeah, that’s what Purple Hearts is giving.”
UNILAD previously contacted a representative of Netflix for a comment on the claims.
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Topics: Film and TV, Netflix, Celebrity