With Valentine's Day upon us, thoughts are turning to love ¿ and plans of cozying up to a good romantic movie. But which one?
Three film and video professors in Grand Valley State University's School of Communications pondered this question and came up with a list of romantic movies that worked for them. John Philbin and Kim Roberts, assistant professors, and Pete Porter, a visiting professor, didn't give clear-cut criteria for their choices; they just liked them (kind of similar to the process of choosing a spouse).
Romance in mainstream movies is ubiquitous, as attraction to another person is an element of almost every plot, notes Porter. But good romance is harder to find, and is best if audiences aren't hit over the head with it. The best love stories weave the plot lines in such a way that the couple has something to amuse themselves other than courtship, he said.
Director Sydney Pollack went a step further and observed that the best love stories involve non-overcomeable obstacles.
That may account for the popularity of Casablanca, the hands-down winner of the GVSU film/video professors' Top 10 list. The looming obstacle tearing Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart apart was World War II. But there are other factors that make it good.
What works for me in a love story is when I fall in love with the actress, says Philbin. Bergman fits the bill.
Roberts agrees that star attraction is important, which is why Richard Gere was the male lead in four of her selections.
The profs' Top 10 picks include everything from old classics to some of today's sappy love stories, and even a few dogs. Here's a representative sampling:
1. Casablanca (1942). The all-time classic romance movie.
2. Shakespeare in Love (1998). Sensual, intriguing, and by far the best love story of recent years, according to Porter, this movie made all three lists. Another Shakespeare story listed ¿ this one penned by the bard himself ¿ was Romeo & Juliet (the 1968 version starring Olivia Hussey), which remains one of the best-known tales of starcrossed love.
3. When Harry Met Sally (1989) also made all three profs' lists. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal together are irrepressible and irresistible.
4. First Knight (1995), (or any love story starring Richard Gere, says Roberts). This one includes Julia Ormond, a castle setting, and Gere with long hair. Ouch!
5. Somewhere in Time (1980). It's set in Michigan and stars Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Yes!
6. Rear Window (1954). Because it's a thriller, you may not have realized it's a great love story, too. It is, says Porter. And Grace Kelly is unbeatable.
7. Gone With the Wind (1939). Vivien Leigh's Scarlett is a strong-willed female character caught in the classic predicament of always wanting the man she can't have. She's more interested in the pursuit of love, but not the commitment, Roberts noted. Rhett is fed up with her at the end, but audiences know that tomorrow is another day. I never for a moment think she won't get him back, says Roberts, who has seen the film about 20 times and can recite the dialogue at will.
8. Out of Africa (1985). Beautiful cinematography enhances the dignified love story superbly acted by Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, and directed by Sydney Pollack.
9. It Happened One Night (1934). Frank Capra's oldie but goodie starring Clark Gable utilizes witty dialogue and great on-screen chemistry.
10. Brigadoon. The Lerner and Loewe musical opened in 1947 as a Broadway hit whose love story is a rewarding combination of mythical and modern-day worlds. Gene Kelly dances through the film. Another Gene Kelly winner is Singin' in the Rain (1952).
¿
Unusual Honorable Mentions:
The Graduate (1967) Dustin Hoffman epitomizes the angst and high passions of young love (the doomed-wedding scene in particular).
Harold and Maude (1972, re-released in 1999). The quirky story of boy's preoccupation with an eccentric elderly woman (played by Ruth Gordon) has become a camp classic.
Bringing Up Baby (1938). Katherine Hepburn drives Cary Grant wild in this screwball comedy.
Lady and the Tramp (1955). Walt Disney proves that cartoon dogs can fall in love, too.
