June 18, 2008
Top Ten Romance Movies
Written by Shirley Karr in Jaunty PostLast night’s AFI special listed their Top Ten movies in ten categories. I only got to watch parts of it but I went to their web site and confirmed that one category they omitted was Top Movies for Romance Writers.
Yes, they did include the Top 10 Romantic Comedies: City Lights, Annie Hall, When Harry Met Sally (”I’ll have what she’s having.”), Adam’s Rib, Moonstruck (”Snap out of it!”), Harold & Maude, Sleepless In Seattle, Roman Holiday, It Happened One Night, and Philadelphia Story.
Romantic is not the same as romance, though. Roman Holiday is a romantic story to be sure, but a true romance, at least in my opinion, has a happily ever after for the two lead characters together. Audrey Hepburn’s character went on as the princess and Gregory Peck went back to being a reporter, separate. Sleepless in Seattle is romantic, too, but the lead characters get what, two minutes on screen together?
I heartily agree with their choice of It Happened One Night. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert have marvelous chemistry together. I first saw this years ago when I was heavily into reading traditional Regencies and it seemed like a Regency set in early 20th century. Loved it when the “wall of Jericho” came tumbling down at the end.
Philadelphia Story is a hoot, too – love the rapid, witty repartee between Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. They were also great together in Bringing Up Baby, but then I may be biased since I have a fondness for screwball comedies.
My Top Ten Movies for Romance Writers (and Readers):
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark – a primer for any writer, the opening sequence of this film is used in countless writing classes and workshops. Right out of the starting gate you get a feel for the hero, the villain, the quest, the conflict, and the hero’s strengths and weakness (”Snakes! I hate snakes!”) which will come into play later. And of course there’s the whole reunion romance with Marion. On the ship, when she’s kissing Indy’s owies better? Fun stuff. Yes, we love to beat up our heroes, sometimes even in the love scenes. (If you’ve seen Indy 4, please don’t spoil it for me — hubby and I plan to go but haven’t made it to the theater yet.)
2. Romancing the Stone – love the developing relationship between Michael Douglas’s rugged adventurer and Kathleen Turner’s wimpy city girl, and how both characters grow. Danny DeVito is hysterical in his supporting role. I sometimes explain to people that my writing style (at least what I’m aiming for) is Jane Austen meets Romancing the Stone. Since the movie is a quarter century old, maybe I should update the reference, but I can’t think of another one that fits as well.
3. Overboard – an amnesia story as well as a revenge story, set in my backyard, with the adorable real-life couple Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. Roddy McDowell is a great supporting character. Actually there are a bunch of fantastic supporting characters in this flick. The last line (”What could I possibly give you that you don’t already have?” “A little girl.”) still makes me reach for a tissue. Sniff.
4. Sabrina – take your pick of the version with Harrison Ford and Greg Kinnear or the original with Humphrey Bogart, but both remind me of a great Regency story, too. Can you see her as the coachman’s daughter? Love it when the crusty curmudgeon finally gives in to his romantic side.
5. The Princess Bride – over the top but so much fun, and so many memorable one-liners.
6. Cary Grant – okay, he’s an actor not a movie, but he sure knew how to do romance and comedy. Father Goose, Operation Petticoat, His Girl Friday, and the other two movies mentioned above are just the starting point for your Netflix queue.
7. Pretty Woman – one reviewer dismissed this as simply a hooker falling for her rich john, but he totally missed the point of the story arc and character growth. Near the end, Vivian is offered what she wanted at the beginning but she’s grown so much she passes up the heartless situation Edward offers her and goes off to make something of herself, and now has the strength to help her room mate do the same. Edward has grown enough to make major changes, too.
8. Benny & Joon – several types of love stories are going on here, between brother and sister (Benny and Joon), girl meets boy (Joon and Sam) and boy meets girl (Benny and Ruthie). One of the sweetest on-screen first kisses I’ve ever seen takes place between the two misfits falling in love, Joon and Sam. And there are some really interesting cooking tips, too. 
9.
10.
The last two are blank. You get to fill them in. Which romance movies would you add to this list?
3:45 am | Share This
Margay Says:
Pride and Prejudice (the Keira Knightley version) and Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour - absolutely gorgeous film.
brownone Says:
Finding Neverland and Pirates of the Carribbean (can I count all as one?)
Dev Says:
Sleepless in Seattle and While You Were Sleeping
Shana Says:
Somewhere in Time is my choice, too, Maragy. Also, I watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding the other night, and it has some super romantic moments. Plus, any guy willing to go through all that to marry the woman he loves is a keeper.
Clarisse Says:
Return to Me and While You were Sleeping
Dorothy Says:
An Affair to Remember—yet another Cary Grant film. I love this movie and cry each time I see it!
While You Were Sleeping.
It was tough picking just two though. lol
Shirley Karr Says:
While You Were Sleeping was fun. I almost included Return To Me on my list. I have the VHS but don’t watch it often because the beginning is tough to get through, though it is cool to see David Duchovny emoting after so many years as Mulder.
I didn’t include Somewhere In Time because he has to *die* before they get their HEA. And what about all those painful years she had to live through, waiting for him?
The Pirates trilogy does include a nice romance subplot for Will and Elizabeth, and for quite a while you’re not really sure if she’s going to choose Will or Jack. Turns out she just wanted to *be* Jack, not be with him.
Shirley Karr Says:
Hey, Clarisse! Nice to see you on the boards again!
catslady Says:
Forever Young - an old Mel Gibson movie (before he went wonkers). I seem to be the only one who has seen this movie and it’s my absolute favorite. Makes me laugh out loud and cry and I’ve seen it dozen of times.
Ladyhawke - Michelle Pfiffer (sp) and a very young Matthew Broderick. Romantic, funny, sad - all in one.
Both have HEA but you’re tortured to the very end.
RobynDeHart Says:
Well, I’m not sure I agree with your list there, Shirley, but since you only asked us to provide the last two, I’d probably say, Stardust and sheesh, picking only two is just hard. I love Return to Me, just so wonderfully emotional and romantic. I love Where the Heart is (the movie, never read the book, don’t plan to, I like the story as it is in the movie). Six Days, Seven Nights, I could watch that one over and over again, it’s always funny and charming. Never Been Kissed, such a great kiss at the end. Ummmmm…Rob Roy, not a romantic comedy, and well, they’re already married, but sooooo romantic! Too many movies to choose from cause I could really go on forever.
Jane Says:
“Top Hat” and “Last of the Mohicans.”
Mary Says:
“A Room With A View” and “Possession” Fun blog!
Shana Says:
Oh, yeah! A Room with a View. Love that movie.
Mary Says:
I really liked Two Weeks Notice, but I’ll second While You Were Sleeping.
Then there’s The Mummy….
Shirley Karr Says:
I had Two Weeks Notice on the list (have the DVD) for a bit but deleted it. Love the scene at lunch where Hugh and Sandra are in perfect synch taking each other’s mushrooms and ice cubes and such without having to discuss it, but they left a crucial scene on the cutting room floor — Sandra in the park with a friend, finally realizing she loves her boss. It did go on too long but they needed part of it at least.
Kimmy L Says:
Gone with the Wind
Legends of the Fall
and Titanic
ladydawgfan Says:
How about:
“Fools Rush In”
“When Harry Met Sally”
“Sense and Sensibility” (Recent BBC version)
eap Says:
My favorites:
Miracle in the Rain
The Pride of the Yankees
Marty
Random Harvest
eap Says:
I forgot Miss Potter with R. Zellegwer
JOYE Says:
What category does Casablanca fall under?
I would add Grace Kelly’s High Society to the list and of course, Pretty Woman
Ceirwen Says:
Gotta Be **a walk to remember** & **when harry met sally** They are great films..:]
Delilah Marvelle Says:
I would say Amelie and Pillow Talk.
No and ifs or buts.