Still, laugh as we might, it is just another example of how little Jackson understands the story he chose to film - or rather, the story he chose to "update" and make into a film/films. In
Tolkien's mythic world - or the medieval world or the world of legend - no man would kiss a woman so in public. It would not only be unseemly, but it certainly would be an insult to her (and a public one at that!). However passionate the two were, the most he would deign to do in a public place would be to place a chaste kiss upon her hand or forehead. Any true passion would be kept strickly private. It was not a culture of "let it all hang out", thank
God.
But Mr. Jackson either did not know that or, more probably, didn't care. However, given how determined he was to be "spot on" in every detail of Tolkien's
Middle-earth -
armor, runes, clothing etc. - one wonders why he cared so little about the most important thing -
the behavior of the inhabitants. It's no wonder that one gets a constant feeling of "disconnect" in these films. It reminds me of that modern television series Hercules; period costumes and props with modern dialogue and behavior. Of course, that was intentional - and fun. In these films it was just jarring.