SOOOOOOOO.... I saw these posts on Dell on Movies and Rambling Film and I thought to myself "Mt. Rushmore? OF MOVIES?? I MUST WRITE!" And then I realized I had only a day to decide on a topic and pick the ultimate FOREVER four. And such things are usually NOT easy.
But then I realized I had one. THE one. The one where I could pick the absolute indisputable four for ever and ever of all time to be carved in stone and displayed for the masses. So here we go:
THE MT. RUSHMORE OF MOVIES WHERE
THE ROMANTIC LEADS DON'T END UP TOGETHER
(aka, The Great Three-Hankie Weepies)
Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942) That entire last scene at the airport is just beyond perfect: "...the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Here's looking at you kid." ...AND CUE TEARS.
...no, YOU'RE crying! I just have a piece of grit in my eye...
Goodness, Brief Encounter looks like it would stab me directly in the heart!
ReplyDeleteAs I have only seen Shakespeare in Love and Casablanca (best ending speech ever, btw), instead of saying something meaningful, all I can tell you is that I'm infinitely curious. I'm that guy that secretly hopes the leads won't end up together (because it would be so surprising), but then find myself in emotional shambles when they don't. I guess there's a word for that: idiot.
GREAT ENTRY! I am going to track these other two down! Thank you for participating!
Brief Encounter is an absolute MUST, man! Perfectly, quietly devastating in that very British way. And In The Mood For Love is one of the most beautiful films ever. Wong Kar-Wai and Christopher Doyle (his genius cinematographer) are a match made in heaven.
DeleteIt's true - the stories/movies are usually more interesting when the leads don't end up together for whatever reason (another great twist on that? Kissing Jessica Stein), so I don't blame you for hoping they don't lol.
Nice quartet. I haven't seen In the Mood for Love yet but those first two are inimitable. Any attempts to replicate them are doomed to failure, as was shown by the 1974 Brief Encounter remake with Sophia Loren & Richard Burton which was a pleasant view because of the two of them but missing all the specialness that Lean, Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard were able to create.
ReplyDeleteI like Shakespeare in Love but have never been particularly under its spell. Still a fine choice.
In the Mood for Love is a bit quiet and slow, but the story and the way it's told (a man and woman who move into the same building realize their spouses are having an affair and start meeting and play-acting how it might have happened) is utterly beguiling and it is GORGEOUSLY shot and scored.
DeleteNothing comes close to Casablanca, though. NOTHING. Saw a revival screening at Film Forum on Jan. 1 and it was incredible to see on a big screen with a crowd. It still plays so well. A finely tuned machine with a ton of wit and heart. "They don't make 'em like they used to," except that in this case, they never really did; it's a true one of a kind.
Nice picks! I love this idea. Once immediately came to mind even though they weren't really a "couple" so to speak.
ReplyDeleteI love that you went with Shakespeare In Love. Despite it's wrongful Best Picture win, I still really liked it. That scene was heartbreaking.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH Once TOTALLY fits! I can't believe I didn't think of it. Such a great one.
DeleteShakespeare in Love TOTALLY deserved its Best Picture win, and I will vigorously defend it until the day I die.
Great idea! I can think of a few, but as long as Casablanca is here then all is good.
ReplyDeleteCasablanca is just the best. Period.
DeleteI haven't seen Brief Encounter or In the Mood for Love, but you've piqued my interest. And Casablanca...perfect!
ReplyDeleteBrief Encounter is perfectly done, with a Greatest of All Time performance from Celia Johnson. In the Mood for Love is the most beautiful movie. Like, heartbreakingly gorgeous.
DeleteNow this is the kind of Mt. Rushmore I'd love to see. I find it kind of amazing when the leads don't end up together and Casablanca is my favourite and the best of this kind.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?!? Casablanca is still the standard for this.
Deletei just realised most of my favourite films fall into this category:
ReplyDeletecabaret
annie hall
harold and maude
brokeback mountain
OOOOOOOOOOOH those are all good ones, too!
DeleteI soooooo agree with your first 2 picks especially Casablanca. I do really like SHakespeare In Love but I would not place it on that level and I have not seen the other 2 ....which are now on my list
ReplyDelete