Thursday Movie Picks: Romance
1) Blue is the Warmest Color
I was so into Adele's life and her love affair that I actually caught myself wondering if everything was going to work out with her after the credits rolled. That's remarkable. And on a completely immature note. This film holds a special place in my heart for having a sex scene that was long enough for my husband to go outside, shovel the sidewalk, and come back in to say "they're STILL having sex?"
2) Brokeback Mountain
I'm not sure there will ever be a tragic romance I love more than Brokeback Mountain. This film is perfect in every single way.
3) Atonement
Speaking of tragic romances, I felt like this film punched me in the face at the end.
agreed re: Atonement UGH! that rug is torn out so fast
ReplyDeleteI didn't see that coming at all either, so I just sobbed.
DeleteBlue is the Warmest Color has been on my watchlist for a long time but I've just haven't gotten to it yet. Maybe with it being the appropriate time of the year I'll finally correct that.
ReplyDeleteThe other two though, so sad but terrific films. I haven't watched either in a while but I have seen both multiple times. Brokeback has such beautiful performances, even Anne Hathaway who I usually find rather risible. Atonement has all those amazing performances as well, even Vanessa Redgrave's tiny cameo at the end is a knockout, plus that incredible imagery.
I went with films where love's course does not run smoothly either but all three are among my favorite films.
Waterloo Bridge (1940)-A distinguished officer walks slowly across London’s Waterloo Bridge one evening during WWII pulling a talisman out of his pocket he falls into a reverie of his great lost love. On that same bridge in WWI then young soldier Roy Cronin (Robert Taylor) meets ballerina Myra Lester (Vivien Leigh-fresh off GWTW) when they are forced into a shelter during a bombing raid. Falling almost immediately in love they plan to marry but Roy is called to duty before they can and Myra pledges to wait for him. Having stayed out with him beyond curfew she is dismissed from the ballet and when Roy is reported killed in action full of hopelessness she falls into a life of degradation. On the stroll a year later in Waterloo Station Myra meets Roy, recently released as a prisoner of war and he whisks her off to his family estate in Scotland but is it too late for the pair? Beautifully directed by George Cukor, tragic and heart wrenching romance was the personal favorite of both Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor of their respective filmographies.
The President’s Lady (1953)-In 1789 newly appointed Tennessee Attorney General Andrew Jackson (Charlton Heston) seeking living quarters at the farm of the Widow Donelson (Fay Bainter) meets her daughter Rachel Robards (Susan Hayward) recently separated from her abusive husband Lewis. They strike up a friendship and after an abortive attempt by Rachel to repair her marriage fall in love. Word soon arrives that Lewis has divorced her and the pair marry. Two years hence they discover that Lewis never finalized the papers and their union is bigamist, he is now suing on the grounds of adultery however. Truly free they remarry but scandal plagues them for the rest of their days as Andrew rises higher and higher in politics towards the presidency but their love remains strong. Tender romance with a very strong central performance by Susan Hayward looks at the mores of an earlier time and shows that mudslinging and the damage it causes are nothing new.
Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)-Young naïve Angie Rossini (Natalie Wood) finds herself in quite a predicament after letting her guard down once and having a one night stand with feckless musician Rocky Papasano (Steve McQueen)….she’s pregnant. Seeking Rocky out she finds he at first doesn’t remember her but he steps up to help with the situation and despite interference from her very Italian family, his former showgirl squeeze and Rocky’s fears an attraction slowly blooms but there are bumps ahead before romance triumphs. Two movie stars at their peaks make this both gritty and swoony at the same time.
I haven't seen any of your picks but Love with a Proper Stranger sounds like the one I would be interested in the most. You should watch Blue!
DeleteLOVE Brokeback and Atonement (the latter slightly less than the former). I only liked Blue is the Warmest Color, though. There are a few absolutely tremendous scenes in it (that breakup is breathtaking), but mostly I just thought it was fine. Something was missing for me, and I don't know what.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty long, I'm sure they could've trimmed a bit here and there.
DeleteI haven't seen Blue yet but I am laughing at what your hubby said. I love Brokeback mountain! The acting is stellar and really shows how much they suffered. You know what I think about Atonement..zzzz
ReplyDeletelol yes. You should check out Blue though, it's wonderful.
DeleteI haven't seen Atonement but the other two are great. Absolutely loved them both.
ReplyDeleteAtonement is an amazing film, but devastating. You should check it out!
DeleteAtonement is probably the first time where I legitimately felt angry at a character and would still get frustrated about it when the movie gets brought up back then. I was rooting for Adele in Blue is the Warmest Color, I wanted her character to be happy.
ReplyDeleteI felt so close to Adele, that movie was tremendous.
DeleteLol that story about sex scene :P Atonement and Brokeback Mountain are both so heartbreaking :/
ReplyDeleteI still laugh about it to this day. It was the best reaction.
DeleteOh it's a total punch in the face.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, yes, yes to your picks.
Thank you!
DeleteOh, I love all of these picks. It's such a shame that Joe Wright actually peaked with Atonement and the only good film that came out of that so far is Hanna.
ReplyDeleteI liked Anna Karenina and the episode of Black Mirror he did, but you're right. I haven't been thrilled with the others.
DeleteI love depressing endings, though 😂 All amazing picks, but shoutout to Brokeback Mountain, that movie is devastating and YES, so perfect in every way. I really want to rewatch it now!
ReplyDeleteI read the short story in college and I love it even more as an adaptation because it's so close.
DeleteWait...your husband went out to shovel the sidewalk during THAT sex scene? He's a better man than me.
ReplyDeleteI think if he had known what was in store he would've waited. lol
DeleteI really need to see your first pick (and I will since it's in my Blindspot), and I will have seen and hopefully liked all these three picks!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it! It's long but it's so lovely.
DeleteTragic romances all round. I was disppointed by Blue is the Warmest Colour, it was super long but I was getting annoyed with Adèle Exarchopoulos. Atonement...there are some great scenes in that BUT you're right it is unbelievably depressing. I like to pretend that they were happy at the end not just, dead. but I can't watch it again.
ReplyDeleteI can see why Briony wrote that book. I felt the same way, I wanted them to have a happy ending.
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