Happy Valentine's Day
My 10 favorite professions of love from the movies
It’s Valentine’s Day, everyone and hopefully love is in the air. If you’re a hopeless romantic like me, then you probably have a scene or two from the movies that brings a tear to your eye. And if not, I bet there’s one out there that might even warm your cold, cold heart. And since the world is on fire, I thought I might leave with you a few clips today of the movies, something to let you in on yours truly. And maybe you’ll reply in the comments below with some of your favorites.
Singles: “I was just nowhere near your neighborhood”/ “what took you so long”- Singles is my single favorite feature film of all time and so much of it is due to the Steve/Linda storyline. We start we a double whammy, from Steve’s impossibly perfect line after their first date, to their final coming together at the end of the movie. I love this story so much, you guys. It makes me want to believe.
When Harry Met Sally: New Year’s Eve- Is it possible to have this list without an appearance by Meg Ryan? Some might say Sleepless in Seattle deserves this spot but here’s the reality: Billy Crystal is a phenomenal leading man in this movie. And when his Harry realizes he loves Sally, we realize that we love them too.
Brokeback Mountain: “I wish I knew how to quit you”- I cry every damn time I watch this movie. Like the other great love stories, this film centers to two characters who want to be together, who belong together, but simply cannot be together. I don’t think Jake Gyllenhall was ever better. Heath Ledger should’ve won his first Oscar here. And it’s a damn pity the Academy recognized Crash over this masterpiece of a film.
Four Weddings and a Funeral: The Funeral- I was 17 in 1994 and I don’t seem to remember many films featuring openly gay characters, at least not ones that were featured in the Cheri Theatre of Murray, Kentucky. I’m pulling these scenes entirely from the top of my head, trying to find the ones that still resonate after so many years. Watching now, with disappointment as Matthew “Gareth’s closest friend” is introduced. What follows is I think the most beautiful eulogy I’ve seen on film and a declaration of love everlasting.
Casablanca: Rick tells Ilsa to leave- One might argue this is the most famous scene of all time. I think one of the things about getting older or at least experiencing life is the realization that not all loves are meant to last. You will likely not marry the love of your life. Maybe the love of your life is supposed to breathe life into you so that you might live it elsewhere, even if it is with someone else. Rick tells Ilsa she has to go or she’ll regret it for the rest of her life. And she knows she is right. That is also love.
Say Anything: Boombox scene- C’mon. I’m Gen X. This is our love anthem.
Love & Basketball: “I’ll play you”- Monica and Quincy are childhood friends, destined for one another. They’re also basketball phenoms and their lives and careers tear them apart. We need them to be together as much as they realize they need to be together. Monica’s appeal to Quincy near the end of the movie is Sanaa Lathan’s best moment onscreen.
Pride and Prejudice: “You have bewitched me”- Gentlemen, you will never, ever, ever look as cool as Matthew Macfadyen does as Mr. Darcy walking across the meadow to declare his love for Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet. It will not happen.
Lady and the Tramp: the spaghetti scene- no list is complete without visiting Disney. For some, this was our “taste” of love on the screen. In some ways, the scene is so well known that I hadn’t even considered it until my friend Evan Nooe suggested it. But this is the scene that saw these two fall in love, and the rest of us fall in love with spaghetti, with “Bella notte,” and with the movies.
The Empire Strikes Back: “I know”- This is the single greatest I Love You in film history and it almost didn’t happen. According to Star Wars lore, Han Solo was supposed to tell Leia something along the lines of “I love you too.” They tried all sorts of iterations but nothing felt right. Credit is due to Harrison Ford, who understood Han Solo’s cocky swagger combined with the bravery of a man trying to protect the woman he loves to say something totally unconventional and absolutely perfect. Han Solo’s “I know” is magical and timeless.
But Jason, didn’t you just have a music episode? What about that? Fine. Alright. One song for you lovers out there. Enjoy Mark Knopfler. Listen to the whole damn thing. The live version with Emmylou Harris is in my mind the most beautiful song I have ever heard.
Alright folks, I know it’s tough out there. But who loves you? That’s right. Your favorite Cajun hillbilly Florida Man in Colorado. That’s who.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Jason
Hey thanks for reading this. We’re doing our best to grow this into something that means something. This site and content is free (because things are hard). But if you can afford to help out and offer a paid subscription, it’ll help me to bring this to audiences and maybe do something special. Thanks for being part of this.
Ooof, that song's amazing. Thanks for reminding me of it!
Nice list, and very much one of our generation.