Rose's line and kiss...

I asked one of my 19- yo-son's friends what he thought about TFJ. He said ti was all right, but this is the scene he mentioned not liking. Not Luke almost killing Kylo, not Leia flying through space, not any of the more hotly discussed moments that have so divided the fans.

Nope, it was Rose running Finn off the rails when he was trying to destroy the cannon. He said "She saved one person, but he could have saved many." He was highly offended and puzzled that a member of the Resistance would do that, and he just couldn't understand it at all. I said, "Well, it seems Rose really loves Finn," and he said maybe so, but it didn't matter. She should do her duty and let him do his (just like what Obi-Wan forces Anakin to realize when Padme falls out of the troop transport in AOTC).

I'm fairly certain that it was to be interpreted as a romantic kiss, at least on the part of Rose. Finn was just too surprised for me to read anything into his behavior. When he was tucking her in back on the ship,I didn't see that as romantic, though the way Rey was looking at him made me think Rian wanted us to believe it was. But when Rey smiled, I think it was bittersweet- she was genuinely happy for him. And also realized her path lay in a different direction anyway.

I like this Finn/Rose romance. I do think its a romance, not platonic, because she refers to "...saving what we love...." which is him. And of course kisses him on the lips, not the cheek, and not a hug or hand squeeze. Finn needs someone to look up to him, and she certainly does, whereas he'd always be overshadowed by Rey even if she tried not to. And as I alluded to previously, I don't think Rey has a romance ahead. If she does, though, it will probably be with Ben Solo.

 

I read it as romantic. I've said this before my times.

- Finn begins out by fighting exclusively for what he loves, Rey. Rose begins by fighting what she hates, unequality (Canto Bight), traitors (as @Jayson said above). On Canto Bight Finn learns to see the fight between good and evil from the perspective of Rose. He learns to hate that which he needs to fight and starts identifying more prominently with the resistance. In the end, Finn wants to fight what he hates and is willing to sacrifice himself. He is then saved by Rose who wants to save what she loves. They both have become a bit more like each other in the process. What better way than expressing "saving what you love" then by a gentle kiss. It visualizes for the audience what Rose really means. Now whether Finn answers this 'love' is a completely different question. An unresolved question.

So romantic, but in a functional way.

 

You should have explained to him that her duty and Finn's wasn't to go half cocked and get themselves killed for what would be ultimately no reason. (The lack of response to the beacon signified that). The First Order was going to get them on Crait with or without that cannon.
Finn's survival all up to that point is predicated on saving Rey. Not killing the First Order.
He's acting out of hate. Where does hate lead?

 

Anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering, suffering leads to crushing your enemies, seeing them driven before you, and hearing the lamentations of their women.

 

This music plays. No mercy!

 

There's a discussion to be had (not here) about race and inclusion in Star Wars.
Constantly calling it, the people involved and those who like it racist or trying not so subtlety to imply such is not needed and should honestly just be ignored. It's largely ruined any discussions of Finn for me and I have no idea why I ever came into this thread knowing this wouldn't be far behind. It's sad.

 

Well, with all my problems with the film.

I at least thought it was refreshing, that you finally had in Star Wars, the female being the pursuer while the guy is the pursuee.

In the PT and OT, it was pretty obvious what Anakin and Han wanted, before Padme and Leia started to respond.

 

I am glad you feel validated that someone sees similar things in the film. I disagree because again it requires a vast racist and now sexist conspiracy on the part of Disney who even if they are fumbling the message has over the years worked very hard to be inclusive.

Don't knock yourself your post is already better than the article. I disagree with the matters of taste you raise with the character of Kylo. I think that a emotionally flawed villain was a nice change from the seemingly resolute Vader.

Your not allowed to like Finn. I have learned my lesson. . . . I still love Finn but I know its against rules.