The early film, Forbidden
(1932), asks the viewers to sympathize with a married politician and his
mistress, who together have a “love child,” even though the politician, as a
governor, finally follows his conscience and admits to the decades-long affair.
Lulu, the mistress, selflessly remains alone and hidden from public view so Bob
can climb the political ladder without scandal. At one point, Bob offers to
leave his wife, Helen, and leave with Lulu for a shared life somewhere else,
but Lulu refuses for the sake of Bob’s career in politics. She places his
interests above her own. The film’s attitude toward the “cheater” and his
mistress ethically is complex, as is human nature itself. The film presents the
complexity that can go with some, but certainly not all, ethical controversies.
The full essay is at "Forbidden."
