Favorite Romantic Movies
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and to be honest, it's not my favorite holiday. It seems to be the one day that divides people into the "haves" and "have nots" more than any other. Although I am in my 12th year of a very happy marriage, my guy is not the most traditional romantic. However, he is especially good about watching love stories with me and often finds one for us while he's (endlessly) flipping channels. I thought how as this is the month of romantic love, I'd share some of my favorite romantic films/TV shows with you.
Pride and Prejudice, BBC/A&E version.
This is six hours of pure romantic pleasure from start to finish. The movie made Colin Firth's career and cast him as a leading man. I'm not sure he'd ever have been cast in "The King's Speech" if it hadn't been for this BBC treasure. I was extremely excited when I got to interview Firth for the first time. It was at the LA premiere of "Shakespeare In Love." I excitedly referred to him as "Mr. Darcy" and he was gracious about it, but a couple of his people in his party afterward were talking loudly enough that I could hear and were saying things such as "Colin hates it when people do that." I thought it was really hateful of them, but I have almost gotten past it. Needless to say, he was able to get over the whole "Mr. Darcy" thing and play a very similar character in "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason." My only other comment is you should look like Colin Firth and play the part of someone who is arguably the most beloved man in fiction, and be upset when people associate you with said beloved character.
This is six hours of pure romantic pleasure from start to finish. The movie made Colin Firth's career and cast him as a leading man. I'm not sure he'd ever have been cast in "The King's Speech" if it hadn't been for this BBC treasure. I was extremely excited when I got to interview Firth for the first time. It was at the LA premiere of "Shakespeare In Love." I excitedly referred to him as "Mr. Darcy" and he was gracious about it, but a couple of his people in his party afterward were talking loudly enough that I could hear and were saying things such as "Colin hates it when people do that." I thought it was really hateful of them, but I have almost gotten past it. Needless to say, he was able to get over the whole "Mr. Darcy" thing and play a very similar character in "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason." My only other comment is you should look like Colin Firth and play the part of someone who is arguably the most beloved man in fiction, and be upset when people associate you with said beloved character.
The Painted Veil (2006)
This little jewel starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts came and went very quickly in theaters and did not receive the recognition it should have. I was showing it to a couple of friends a few months ago and one of them pressed pause to say "This is such a good movie." And it really is. The film, which was shot in China, is based on the Sommerset Maugham book by the same name. It tells the story of "Kitty and Walter Fane" who have married and moved to Hong Kong. He's a government researcher and loves "Kitty," but isn't the most romantic chap in the world. For "Kitty" it's a marriage of convenience of sorts. She likes "Walter" well enough, but is of a certain age and so decided to take the leap into matrimony and a new life with a man she barely knows. What happens next is a love story for the ages, which is probably why both Watts and Norton worked as producers on the film to make it happen.
This little jewel starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts came and went very quickly in theaters and did not receive the recognition it should have. I was showing it to a couple of friends a few months ago and one of them pressed pause to say "This is such a good movie." And it really is. The film, which was shot in China, is based on the Sommerset Maugham book by the same name. It tells the story of "Kitty and Walter Fane" who have married and moved to Hong Kong. He's a government researcher and loves "Kitty," but isn't the most romantic chap in the world. For "Kitty" it's a marriage of convenience of sorts. She likes "Walter" well enough, but is of a certain age and so decided to take the leap into matrimony and a new life with a man she barely knows. What happens next is a love story for the ages, which is probably why both Watts and Norton worked as producers on the film to make it happen.
Shadowlands (1993)
Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger give us a glimpse of real, true love in the fact-based drama “Shadowlands.” Hopkins stars as the famous British author and religious apologist C.S. Lewis. Winger is American Joy Gresam, who travels to England with her young son, Douglas, in an effort to meet with the Christian writer of the “Narnia” books. What takes place is an unusual and unlikely love story, but I dare you not to be touched when you see the transformation that takes place in the relationship.
Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger give us a glimpse of real, true love in the fact-based drama “Shadowlands.” Hopkins stars as the famous British author and religious apologist C.S. Lewis. Winger is American Joy Gresam, who travels to England with her young son, Douglas, in an effort to meet with the Christian writer of the “Narnia” books. What takes place is an unusual and unlikely love story, but I dare you not to be touched when you see the transformation that takes place in the relationship.
These are a few of my favorite romantic films. I love a good love story and will write about more later this week. In the meantime, what are some of your favorite romantic films?