Purple Hearts

"Purple Hearts" follows Cassie Salazar, a sharp-witted, liberal-minded aspiring singer-songwriter burdened by the immense cost of insulin for her Type 1 diabetes. Across the aisle is Luke Morrow, a troubled yet disciplined Marine preparing for deployment, who is desperate to pay off a significant debt from his past. Despite their clashing worldviews and immediate dislike for one another, they enter into a fraudulent marriage solely for the military benefits: Cassie gets access to comprehensive healthcare, and Luke receives a higher pay grade to clear his debt.

What begins as a marriage of convenience, governed by rules and feigned affection for the sake of appearances, is complicated when Luke is seriously injured in Iraq and sent home. Forced to live together and maintain their charade under the watchful eyes of Luke's suspicious father and the military, the line between pretense and reality begins to blur. Through shared vulnerability, late-night video calls, and the music Cassie writes inspired by their journey, an unexpected and profound love begins to blossom, forcing them to confront what their sham marriage has become.

The core meaning of "Purple Hearts" revolves around the idea that empathy and love can transcend deep-seated ideological divides. Director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum and star Sofia Carson have stated the film's intention was to portray two individuals, a "red heart" and a "blue heart," who are initially defined by their opposing political views but learn to see the humanity in each other. The film suggests that shared struggle and personal sacrifice can forge a connection stronger than political rhetoric. It poses that by looking past labels and engaging on a human level, people can find common ground and even love, creating a metaphorical "purple heart." The narrative also serves as a poignant critique of a failing healthcare system, where a person is forced into a desperate, illegal act simply to afford life-saving medication.

While the filmmakers intended "Purple Hearts" to be a story about bridging divides, a significant alternative interpretation views the film as a piece of military propaganda that ultimately validates a conservative worldview. Critics of this interpretation argue that the narrative structure forces the liberal character, Cassie, to do most of the compromising. Her initial anti-war and anti-establishment stances soften considerably, while Luke's core conservative values are never fundamentally challenged; instead, his personal flaws (addiction, anger) are what he overcomes. The romance is seen as a vehicle to make his worldview more palatable.

Furthermore, this interpretation suggests the film uses genuine social issues—like the broken healthcare system and economic hardship—as mere plot devices to create a scenario where dependence on the military institution becomes the only solution. The controversial scene with the racist toast is pointed to as a key moment where the film's attempt at balance fails; Luke's weak defense of his friend and his silencing of Cassie are seen not as a nuanced portrayal of a flawed character, but as an implicit endorsement of that culture. From this perspective, the "purple" heart isn't a balanced mix, but rather a blue heart that has been largely colored red.

"Purple Hearts" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, becoming a viral sensation and one of Netflix's most-watched films of 2022. Its popularity was driven by the classic enemies-to-lovers romance trope and the on-screen chemistry between leads Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine. However, the film also sparked widespread controversy and debate. Many critics and viewers accused the film of being pro-military propaganda that sanitized the realities of war. A particular scene, where a Marine makes a toast to "hunting down some goddamn Arabs," was heavily criticized for being racist and xenophobic, with many feeling the film failed to adequately condemn the sentiment.

The film was also criticized for its perceived political narrative. Some viewers argued that it glorified a conservative viewpoint and that the liberal protagonist, Cassie, compromised her beliefs for love, thereby undermining her character's initial principles. In response, director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum and Sofia Carson defended the film, stating their intention was to depict two flawed characters from opposite extremes who learn empathy and become more moderate. Despite the backlash, the film was also praised by some audiences for its depiction of a character with Type 1 diabetes and for its message that love can overcome political differences, resonating with viewers who enjoyed its heartfelt romance.

Audience reception for "Purple Hearts" was highly polarized, though it achieved massive viewership numbers on Netflix. A large segment of the audience embraced the film wholeheartedly, praising the powerful on-screen chemistry between Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine and the compelling enemies-to-lovers romance. Many viewers found the love story deeply emotional and satisfying, and appreciated the original soundtrack. The film's portrayal of military families and the theme of love overcoming differences also resonated positively with many.

However, the film also faced significant criticism from audiences online. The primary points of contention were allegations of it being military propaganda, its handling of racism, and its political messaging. The scene containing an anti-Arab remark was widely condemned, and many felt the film didn't adequately challenge the racism on display. Others criticized the romance for feeling contrived and for having the liberal female protagonist seemingly abandon her principles. These viewers found the film's attempt to portray a political middle ground to be shallow and ultimately a validation of the conservative male lead's worldview.