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By Perry Gil S. Mallari
Watching a good romance movie is
always a good way to wrap up Valentine’s Day. It fits well whether
you’re munching popcorn with your sweetheart on a couch or when
you’re on a solitary sentimental trip, reminiscing a love lost,
with a box of Kleenex within arms length.
As we all celebrate Valentine’s
Day, we decided to come up with a list of 10 must-watch romantic
movies for the benefit of our dear readers who plan not to join the
mob in their numerous love day engagements. Whether you’re love
crazed or loveless, we’re pretty certain these movies will give
you one romantic blast.
Gone With The Wind
Film buffs say you haven’t seen
any real movie yet until you’ve watched Gone with the Wind. They
probably were right since this landmark film featuring the love
story of Scarlet O’Hara (played by Vivien Leigh) and Rhett Butler
(played by the Clark Gable) continues to reap accolades worldwide 69
years after it was first shown in 1939. Gone with the Wind bagged 10
Academy Awards including Best Picture and Clark Gable’s now
classic line “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” was voted
as “the #1 movie quote of all time” by the American Film
Institute.
Casablanca
To most movie aficionados,
Casablanca, 1942, often rivals Gone with the Wind for the no. 1 post
in their list of great films. A romance movie set on the Moroccan
city of Casablanca, the cast included two Hollywood legends:
Humphrey Bogart (as Rick Blaine) and Ingrid Bergman (as Ilsa Lund).
Casablanca cleverly weaves the elements of a love story with the
conflicts of war. The film perfectly captures the pain of
relinquishing a love with the immortal lines of Bogart at the end of
the movie that goes, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a
beautiful friendship.”
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Another classic, Breakfast at
Tiffany’s was released in 1961 and it stars the legendary
Anglo-Dutch actress Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a woman, who
after a series of romantic and personal mishaps, begins to shun
love. Holly eventually fell in love with Paul Varjak (played by
George Peppard), a struggling writer. The movie was based on the
novel of the same title by Truman Capote. Oh, watch out for the last
scene where Holly and Paul huddled by the stinging rain, locked in a
torrid kiss.
Dr. Zhivago
This 1965 movie is a Baby Boomer
favorite though its grandiose cinematography and rich story material
prove really timeless. Dr. Zhivago has lead stars Omar Sharif as Dr.
Yuri Shivago and Julie Christie as Lara Antipova. Zhivago and
Antipova’s love affair was superimposed on the tumultuous years of
the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil War, the time when the
Soviet Union was about to take shape. It’s good historical stuff
and a touching love story combined. A perfect flick to watch with a
cerebral boyfriend or girlfriend.
Romeo and Juliet
Released in 1968, Romeo and
Juliet is an ambitious film adaptation of Shakespeare’s most
beloved tale of love. The movie was directed by controversial
Italian director Franco Zeffirelli and starred Leonard Whitting as
Romeo and the youthful Olivia Hussey as Juliet. Heavy with artistic
merits, Romeo and Juliet won the Oscars for Best Cinematography and
Best Costume Design. It was also nominated for Best Director and
Best Picture.
Love Story
The fashion sense will tell you
at a glance that this is a 70s flick— turtleneck tops and
bell-bottom pants. Released in 1970, Love Story, starring Ali
MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal, is a tragic tale of love. This is no
feel-good movie at all. It would also be interesting for the younger
generation of movie lovers to learn that Love Story marks the debut
appearance on screen of Tommy Lee Jones, then an unknown actor. One
line from the film that entered pop culture was “Love means never
having to say you are sorry.” Uh, not a very wise piece of advice.
The Last American Virgin
A rehashed version of the Israeli
film Eskimo Limon (1978), The Last American Virgin, released in 1982
deals with tacky teen issues like sex and unwanted pregnancy.
Included in the lead cast were Lawrence Monoson, Joe Rubbo, Diane
Franklin and Steve Antin. What made the film memorable was its
soundtrack that featured the best hits of the early 80s including
“Open Arms” by Journey and “Just Once” by James Ingram.
When Harry Met Sally
Can a man and a woman become
really good friends without having sex? Watch When Harry Met Sally
and find out. This 1989 romantic comedy film stars Meg Ryan (as
Sally) and Billy Crystal (as Harry). One memorable scene features
Sally demonstrating to Harry how to fake an orgasm over lunch. When
Harry Met Sally landed 23rd on the American Film Institute’s 100
Years... 100 Laughs list of top comedy films.
Titanic
Three years before the turn of
the century, the movie Titanic made waves around the world. The
film, which was based on the sinking of the MV Titanic in 1912 was
directed by James Cameron and had Leonardo di Caprio and Kate
Winslett essaying the roles of ill-fated lovers. The plot
dangerously tipped to being saccharine had it not been saved by the
adroit use of special effects. The in-your-face computer generated
simulation of the sinking of the Titanic might be the one ingredient
that has magnified the film’s emotive effect on viewers. One
touching scene portrays the ship’s musicians continually playing
their instruments as the Titanic slowly sinks. A certified
tearjerker.
Notting Hill
You’re the average Joe and
suddenly you find the world’s most famous actress on your bed.
This is the gist of the 1999-movie Notting Hill starring Julia
Roberts as Anna Scott (a renowned actress) and Hugh Grant as Will
Thacker (a bookshop owner). Filmed in the picturesque Notting Hill
district of London, the movie made it to the 95th slot on the
British Film Institute’s roster of the all-time top 100 films. One
memorable quote from Grant says, “Let’s face facts, this was
always a no-win situation. Anna’s a goddess, you know what happens
to mortals who get involved with gods.”
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