Weekly Opinion Poll: Heart Attack
Well, I’ve got to let you know that after my last opinion poll, I considered calling it quits.
Because throughout these weekly opinion polls, you know that we’ve had some ups and downs. None of you agreed that Boys of Summer was a heart-wrenchingly sad song. And sure the flip-flop haters were in the majority, but I just didn’t feel like we had any true breakthroughs.
But with the work jargon entry, it was almost like we had reached nirvana. I have never in my life felt so understood. So connected. So part of something bigger than me. I just wanted to smile until I couldn’t hold back the laughter, and then laugh until I started to cry a little, which would then turn into hysterical sobs that eventually would turn back into laughter, but by then you wouldn’t know what to do with me so you’d just promise to call me in the morning.
But both of us knew you never would.
So I guess I kind of felt like, what more is there? How much closer can I really let myself get? I already feel like you’re the Billy Bob to my Angelina and I just want to wear a vial of your blood around my neck. Do you know what I mean?
Anyway.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t want to give up just yet. I just need to not let myself compare future opinion polls to that one. Because it wouldn’t be fair to them.
So I decided to take stock: what is it that I know about you, and what have I yet to learn? You are truly complex individuals. I know what you don’t like to eat, who you don’t like to listen to, what you hate to see people wear, what makes you cry, what makes you crazy. What’s left? Romance, of course.
So I got to thinking – what makes you all squishy inside? On that note, I launch this week’s Weekly Opinion Poll!
Question: What romantic movie makes your heart just melt and gives you hope that true love can exist? (and for you, of course I’ll accept write-ins)
A. Love Story
B. Officer and a Gentleman
C. Somewhere in Time
D. Sixteen Candles
E. Casablanca
F. West Side Story
G. The Princess Bride
P.S. I know I shouldn’t muddy the issue, but just yesterday I heard two more catch phrases that make me dig my fingernails into my fists: “I had an ‘A-ha’ moment,” and “But can we really deliver that Wow Factor?”
Filed under: Opinion Poll on August 12th, 2005
August 12th, 2005 at 1:13 am
I loathe weepy romance dramas, and there are only three films that come to mind when I think of “romance.”
The first is Michael J. Fox in “Doc Hollywood.” There’s a scene where he’s dancing with Julie Warner at a county squash festival (or some such thing)… and all of a sudden all the other people just fade away so it’s only the two of them dancing alone. To me, it captured exactly what it’s like to be in love: the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
The second is “Cinema Paradiso” which defined love so beautifully, that it’s almost painful to watch.
The last film is “Amelie,” but that might just be because I think Audrey Tautou is hot.
August 12th, 2005 at 3:35 am
Its a toss up between Casablanca and Princess Bride. I’d also throw in Great Expectations, the Ethan Hawke version.
August 12th, 2005 at 4:57 am
The John Cusack difecta (it’s a word now):
Say Anything
High Fidelity
And yes, smack me if you will:
It’s A Wonderful Life
August 12th, 2005 at 8:11 am
Before I got to the multiple choices, I was thinking, “she’ll never have Somewhere In Time”….and there it was.
So that is my pick and please forgive me for underestimating you.
August 12th, 2005 at 8:38 am
its not a movie, but the epitome of romance for me was the series finale of mad about you. personally, i loved the show, BUT even if you didnt, i still think you would enjoy this FANTASTIC episode.
the ending montage timed to faith hill’s ‘you give me love’ is absolutely phenom! if i will be ever so fortunate to have a marriage like they portrayed (with all of the imperfections) then i will surely be blessed.
cheers
hooizz
August 12th, 2005 at 8:58 am
Dear Jenny,
I can’t believe you missed Hope Floats! And, for goodness sakes, what about, Aimee and Jaguar?!
Weepingly,
Vivian
August 12th, 2005 at 9:44 am
For love? Stepmom. I wept for days.
For romance? Somewhere in Time.
A-ha?! *cringe* *slinking away wincing*
August 12th, 2005 at 10:25 am
What about Forest Gump? That was love that stood the test of time. And she dies! What could be sadder?
August 12th, 2005 at 10:37 am
Oh, I am going to have to go with Jason’s write-in on this one… High Fidelity. It portrays love in a more realistic/relatable way, without all the over-the-top “bells and whistles” that come with the formulated romances out there.
August 12th, 2005 at 12:35 pm
If we’re talking over-the-top romances, Somewhere in Time does it for me, too, but what about:
When Harry Met Sally
You’ve Got Mail
Shakespeare in Love
Tootsie
And two sort-of romances:
Braveheart
The Full Monty
August 12th, 2005 at 12:48 pm
Sniff. Some excellent suggestions so far – I’m surprised and thrilled to see “Somewhere in Time” taking such an early lead. Natasha half-jokingly suggested it, not thinking people would have seen it. We’re all saps, all of us!
August 12th, 2005 at 1:06 pm
i’m afraid to even mention this, because it’s been so thoroughly made fun of (but the book was just too awesome)
english patient is the one for me.
August 12th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
After watching everyone boo hoo through Sleepless in Seattle I had to see An Affair to Remember. It is now one of my all time favorites.
August 12th, 2005 at 2:44 pm
Seamus – who is a huge movie buff with very diverse tastes – sent me a 5-page email in response to this opinion poll. He asked me not to let anyone know he was such a big mushball, but since I thought he had some excellent points, I decided to violate our doctor/patient confidentiality and post his romance lists. I cannot be trusted.
Taken from Seamus’ Top 1,000
Best straight romance films:
The Apartment
LA Story
It Happened One Night
True Romance
Something Wild
Best romantic moments:
Nightmare Before Christmas (one of best screen kisses)
Rushmore
On Golden Pond
Best realization of love moments (not necessarily romantic):
Magnolia (Tom Cruise at dying father’s bedside)
American Beauty (love creeps in on Kevin Spacey)
Best lesbian love:
Bound
Buddy love:
Midnight Cowboy
E.T.
Motherly love:
A Christmas Story
Dancer In The Dark
August 12th, 2005 at 4:35 pm
When Harry Met Sally gets to me because they end up being great friends first. Of course, Sleepless in Seattle kills me.
August 12th, 2005 at 10:22 pm
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, played by Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Oh, that romance is to die for!!!
And I’m with Dave2 — Amelie’s quirky chasing hiding of an equally quirky cutie in the movie — it’s wonderful. (And I agree with Dave’s opinion that Audrey Tautou is hot.)
August 13th, 2005 at 6:22 am
Wow. This is a tall order… the all time best romantic movie that shows love CAN last forever? There are lots of kinds of love of course, so if romance is the defining term, then I am on board with Shakespere In Love. Even now, it takes my breath away, not just at the end, but throughout.
But the movie that always makes me warm and fuzzy inside is My Best Friend’s Wedding. It’s not romantic love, but it is true love between friends and I think that’s something worth mentioning.
I also LOVE Amelie… but I never thought of it as a love story, but it’s a great film and Audrey Tautou is pretty cute!
August 13th, 2005 at 10:49 pm
I have to give a vote to The Princess Bride. Wesley came back from the dead for true love (or “to blathe”)! That has to count for.
I also have to agree with Robert on Braveheart. Billy Wallace went through so much to avenge his wife. That’s the perfect marriage (ha!) of a romantic movie and a guy movie.
Stop rhyming now, I mean it!
…?
August 14th, 2005 at 8:39 am
O: Does anybody want a peanut?
August 15th, 2005 at 11:20 am
Princess Bride. Yes.
Amelie. Yes.
Chocolat, anybody?
August 15th, 2005 at 2:48 pm
Jenny –
Hope I’m not too late…I just thought of another. My Life with Michael Keaton – a dying father leaves his unborn son several video tapes to watch over his lifetime ranging from reading bedtime stories and how to shave to how to walk into a room with confidence. I’m misting up just thinking about it.
August 16th, 2005 at 9:11 am
I know I’m late. Sorry. Blogger accounts were blocked in my neck of the woods for awhile. I loved High Fidelity too, but I also thought about “As Good as it Gets,” and “Titanic.” When I saw Titanic at the theatre, I bawled all the way home in the car, and asked my boyfriend if he’d freeze to death for me. (I just watched Bruce Almighty on the weekend, and Jim Carrey’s freak-out on the Maid of the Mist, mentioning Titanic was really funny!)