Movie Couple Therapy: Chani and Paul from DUNE: PART TWO

How do you navigate growing apart within a relationship?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright react to Chani and Paul’s relationship in Dune: Part Two. They talk about what compatibility means and why Chani and Paul are compatible. They also discuss what undoes their compatibility. Jonathan shares what it takes to change in a relationship and stay together. Alan nerds out about Dune, the underrated acting, and Hans Zimmer’s profound love theme. 

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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, and Corinne Demyanovich
Edited by: Nathan Judd
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis

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[MilesTeg_cy]

As a Turkish citizen I can proudly say that we use the "equal" as wife or husband. Wife says "he is my equal - 'Eş' in Turkish, and the husband says the same for his wife when introducing each other to someone. "To wish be equal to each other" may mean as a proposal in Turkish. So this scene means a lot for us, more than any other.

[grant]

Paul: "Stilgar, what is this behind your ear"? (pulls quarter)
Stilgar: "LISAN AL GAIB!!!"

[FATE]

I love how Paul starts off inspiring and then the film starts to slowly become foreboding. The audience begins to discover what kind of story this is. In that moment the thin layer of the heroes journey is shattered. The moment where Paul Atredies' true destiny is revealed in all its horrifying glory: A golden path illuminated by a universe in flames.

[ashishrandive]

This is a tragic love story done so right. It's two people deciding to not be together because they're both serving something bigger than both of them. It's not about insecurities or traumas or messed up behavior. Everything is so right between them but it has to break because there are bigger things than their relationship at stake

[Geekus]

Seeing Chani stand there atop the dunes, brave yet completely heartbroken, as Paul perverts the Fremen’s victory into the beginning of his eternal holy war, as he leaves their love behind to become a god emperor of death, instantly turning liberation into an even greater oppression, all her dreams, personal and political, die at once, and so she takes the only choice left to her: to leave. It is tragically captivating and one of my top three cinema endings of all time.

[richardkern]

"I'll be with you" vs "I will love you" is an important distinction because he knows he's going to marry Irulan

[katienielsen]

I was totally waiting for you to mention honesty and open communication! Why didn't Paul just communicate his plans and what he saw and what he feels needs to happen?! Sure, we could argue "She'd never agree or understand" but he didn't even try. When they first got to know each other, they talked about things. Now, he just makes his own choices without her input. Just straight up "I know what's best for you and I'm gonna do it whether you like it or not."

[Roroxane]

I had the privilege of seeing Hans Zimmer's official tour with all his musicians and singers, that love theme is just one dude with a flute and damn. Absolutely recommend the show, it was amazing

[AlexanderCrab]

Whilst on the topic of Zendaya, I would love to see a cinema therapy for Tashi, Art and Patrick from challengers. Also so excited to watch this dune part 2 is my favourite film of this year so far

[johnnyhala]

Chani's development is the best change from book to movie.

[BatAmerica]

I love how Paul lies about everything he promised Chani during his prophecy speech. His actions disprove every sweet word: "There is no one in this room who can stand against me! [...] I am Paul Maud'Dib Atrades, Duke of Arakis! The Hand of God by my witness, I am The Voice from the Outer World!" making Chani's heartbreak justified.

[excaliburknives]

What’s interesting is that in Dune: Messiah, even though he’s legally married to Irulan, it’s only for political reasons. Chani is technically a concubine but she’s more or less his wife because Paul refuses to have any relationship with Irulan. So far as Paul doesn’t even share a bed with Irulan.

[erics]

That "The Mahdi is too humble to say He is the Mahdi. Even more reason to know He is!" feels like it would have been completely at home in "The Life of Brian." Trying to remember how close LoB got to that line, but it's been too long since I've seen it.

[angelapotter]

I think people need to keep in mind that Dune Messiah was written solely because too many people thought Paul was amazing. Frank Herbert wanted people to realize that Paul chose to make decisions that led to the deaths of billions. He chose power despite the consequences because he wanted to win, and Chani couldn't support that (the movie version of Chani anyways, book Chani is super different).

[seankim]

A video on Cinema Therapy for Dune - as it was written.

[SaucyJTD]

Potential hot take: I love the changes that Denis Villeneuve made from the books. It totally makes sense for him to do so when he's only intending to do the first two books.

As much as I would love to see the entire series be done, I would prefer an animated series for the longevity. There's just so much lore, time jumps, and characters who survive over a ridiculously long time that it would make for a great animated series option. For a movie, though? I have all the respect for Denis Villeneuve and crew.

Great video, guys! Thanks for all that you guys do 😁.

[harkinsdavid]

To me, the original way Chani deals with Paul's marriage is far more interesting. Paul is from a culture where marriage has nothing to do with love. He was raised in a house where his father never married his mother because they may need the marriage option for alliance purposes. Chani even talks to Jessica about it. Jessica warns Chani this could happen. So when it happens, it is not a surprise at all. Chani is supportive of it. She, being from a highly utilitarian warrior culture, sees the utility in it. She just walks up to Irulan and tells her (and I'm paraphrasing) "You get to call him husband, but his heart is mine." like the bad ass she is. Paul backs Chani up on this sentiment. Chani is also well aware that Paul is looking into various futures and has faith that he'll choose the best one he can.

What makes it interesting is it showing how two wildly different cultures can still fit like a glove. Even though they get to their perspectives by different means, the still end up on the same page. Plus it's super interesting because of how different it is from how our culture views marriage. Handling it the way they did in the movie messes up the character a bit. She comes across less confident and utilitarian than the original version. Plus if they go into future books, that reaction will be inconsistent with how she behaves in the next book.

[gentlesavage]

The slow-mo scene where paul arrives in the south is so badass.

[DinDagaw]

13:25 I love how, when Chani turns to look at Paul, she initially has anger in her expression. But when she notices how sad he is, her look takes on sympathy. Great acting from Zendaya

[sarahogborn]

Hearing the “Love Theme” live on the Hans Zimmer tour was INCREDIBLE!! And the fact that it’s a variation of the actual Atreides theme from the Dune sketchbook album is just *chef’s kiss*