RomanceEverAfter

The Modern Renaissance Woman

Community Conversation

"Favorite Romantic Movies"

Nothing is more enjoyable than relaxing with a favorite romantic movie.  I look forward to the myriad of imaginary experiences to be had - new people, places, and times all within the safety of my comfy chair.

I was curious to hear from readers about their favorite romantic movies.  I proposed two questions:

QUESTION #1:  Why do you like the romantic movie you picked?  

QUESTION #2:  Can what happens in a romantic movie be experienced in real life?

What a delight it was to receive your e-mails! The results provided a marvelous perspective on the movies that we embrace.  It seems that each of us brings our own experiences to the viewing.  How we interact with the film is based on our opinions, where we are in life, the romance road that we have traveled, literary merit/analysis, a favored actor/actress, quality of the writing, etc.

One submitter's favorite film was "Serendipity" (John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Released 2001).  Nicole said that although a romantic comedy, the message of "love conquers all" and that some people are "meant to be together" makes the film a winner.

"The Bridges of Madison County" (Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Released 1995) introduces another angle from one reader.  He felt that the movie displayed a couple that "lived a love they couldn't ever possess."  Interestingly, he would have us consider the reality that love is not always what we think is will be, that some are "in love with love".  Indeed, true love is about commitment through the good and bad times.

Romantic movies can also show that love can travel through time.  One reader mentioned her forever favorite is "Somewhere in Time" (Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Released 1980).  She not only liked the costumes of the period, but the relationship between the characters. 

Some of Your Favorites

Here is a listing of some of our readers' favorite films.  I have seen some of these films and relished them all.  Have you? 

"Housesitter" (Steve Martin, Goldie Hawn, Dana Delany, and Julie Harris, released 1998)

"Notting Hill" (Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, Richard McCabe, and Rhys Ifans, released 1999)

"Sabrina" (Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond, Greg Kinnear, released 1995)

"That Touch of Mink" (Cary Grant, Doris Day, released 1962)

"The Wedding Planner" (Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Bridgette Wilson, and Justin Chambers, released 2001)

"While You Were Sleeping" (Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher,and Peter Boyle, released 1998)

"When Harry Met Sally" (Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, and Bruno Kirby, released 2001)

What Did You Say!     

I thought it would be enlightening to provide the comments from a selection of our submitters. I think you'll be prompted to get a hold of the films after their thoughtful insights.

"The War Lord"
Charlton Heston, Richard Boone, Rosemary Forsyth, Maurice Evans, Guy Stockwell.  Released: 1965

This was recommended to me by one of my girlfriends during my college days, and eventually I purchased it on VHS. I like this movie for a few reasons. One is because the hero (Heston) is a strong character, committed to his overlord "The Duke." He has spent his life in fighting as a knight to preserve the honor and life of his family, particularly his younger brother. But the girl opens something in him that he didn't know existed (no one in his entourage dreamed that Sir Chrisogom could fall in love). He counts everything well lost if only to gain this love.

Another reason is that the story is set in a time an locale that is seldom looked at in stories or movies--pre-English conquest Flanders. Some of the things that happened in this story have happened many times in real life. Two people get engaged because they have known each other a long time and are comfortable with each other. But the introduction of someone new may make one of the parties realize that his/her love to their betrothed is mere affection. In The War Lord, Bronwyn had known the guy she was engaged to nearly all her life, and had been raised with him by his father. But that boy had never made her feel the way Sir Chrisogom did. Part of his appeal was his restraint, and his need for her when he was getting his wound cauterized.

As Frank Taggert says in one of Jude Deveraux's books, "a strong man who is weak." Laura Kinsale's heroes fill that description very well.

Submitted by Marilyn

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