Reviews from the heart
Love means forgiving someone for being just a little late. In this case, four days.
In honor of Valentine's Day, which was Monday, some of The Press staffers wrote about their favorite love stories that at one point filled the silver screen.
Some are serious tales of passion and might make you cry. Others are on the lighter side and should leave you laughing.
Either way, we hope you snuggle up in front of the TV with your sweetheart and let love work its magic.
"Casablanca"
"Casablanca" is the best romantic drama movie, in fact, I would argue that it is one of the best films of all time. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman create the love story that makes every girl's heart swoon. The movie is sentimental, funny, and melodramatic. With such iconic music, cast and cinematography, this movie captivates everyone who watches it. "Casablanca" set the standard for romantic films, which is why I'll always say, "Play it again, Sam."
- Andrea Kalas, special sections editor
"Bed of Roses"
This is one of my VHS movies that has been played almost to destruction. It's an early '90s gem that sadly slipped through the cracks of romance movie history. I think the appeal is in the simple plot line: A hunky, lush-haired man (Christian Slater) sees a woman (Mary Stuart Masterson) crying while he's on a walk, and to lift her spirits he finds out her name and sends her flowers. She in turn tracks down her anonymous admirer, and they do the bonding thing and fall in love. It's mostly about the complications and rewards of a real relationship. She helps him get over his late wife, he helps her open up after being raised by an alcoholic. It's not goofy or zany, really more on the sad and bittersweet side. A down-to-Earth romance, which truly is the best kind.
- Alecia Warren, Press reporter
"As Good as it Gets"
One of my favorite movie romances is the unlikely, awkward dating ritual that takes place between Melvin and Carol in "As Good as it Gets."
It's funny and genuine, and shows how love really can conquer all.
Melvin, played by Jack Nicholson, is a financially successful, yet reclusive writer. Because of his cynical, misanthropic attitude, coupled with a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, Melvin has limited interaction with humans.
One of his few relationships is with Carol, a New York City waitress. Melvin's peculiar, particular demands make him a difficult customer, and Carol is the only server willing to wait on him.
Carol, played by Helen Hunt, is somewhat cynical herself, but more tired and guarded from working so hard to financially and emotionally survive the hand that life has dealt her. She's a single mom trying to support her severely asthmatic son.
Through a series of events, a relationship develops between the pair. Melvin works to change his ways, and Carol begins to let her guard down.
My favorite lines from the movie are uttered during a scene where they go out to dinner together.
Melvin tells Carol he's got a compliment for her, and proceeds to explain that he hates to take pills for his OCD, although the doctor tells him they often help ease the symptoms.
His compliment to Carol is that because of her, he has begun taking the pills. Carol doesn't understand how that is a compliment.
"You make me want to be a better man," says Melvin.
Carol tells him that might be the best compliment she's ever received.
"Well, maybe I overshot a little, because I was aiming at just enough to keep you from walking out," Melvin tells her.
- Maureen Dolan, Press reporter
"Once" (2007)
This ultra-low budget musical has more heart and soul than most of the glitzy Hollywood showstoppers in recent years. Not a lot of plot here - just the story of two struggling musicians who develop a powerful connection through the process of songwriting. The music is terrific, and the "romance" doesn't fall into the typical genre traps.
Stars Glen Hansard of the Irish-group The Frames and Marketa Irglov had a real-life relationship to pull from, and their Academy Award winning song Falling Slowly was the definitive highlight of that year's Oscar telecast.
- Tyler Wilson, special to The Press
"Away We Go" (2009)
A movie about marriage that doesn't resort to cynical generalizations or overwrought drama about infidelity or other nasty elements of relationships. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph play soon-to-be-parents who set out on a cross-country journey to find a place to make a permanent home. They encounter a series of wacky personalities, but the central relationship has a steadiness that is too often unrepresented in fiction.
Some criticize this Sam Mendes-directed indie as being too "clever" and "precious." Yes, Krasinski and Rudolph play smart, somewhat selfish individuals, but their struggles, whether likable or not, are the real life dilemmas facing young adults on the threshold of parenthood.
- Tyler Wilson, special to The Press
"The Princess Bride" (1987)
"Is this a kissing book?"
That's what the grandson (played by Fred Savage) asks his grandfather (Peter Falk) as he begins reading the fairy tale, "The Princess Bride.
The answer is, yes, there is a kiss or two, but there's also much more. There's the courageous hero Westley (Cary Elwes), the beautiful princess played by Robin Wright, and a outstanding cast of villains and good guys. There are swordfights, narrow escapes from the shrieking eels and Rodents of Unusual Size, the return of Westley from the "mostly dead" after being cast into the Pit of Despair, and a final rescue of the trapped princess. The late Andre the Giant playing Fezzik, a collosus of strength, proved he could act not just in the wrestling ring, and Mandy Patinkin almost steals the movie as Ingigo Montoya, a swordsman seeking to avenge his father's death.
In the end, it all adds up to this:
True Love.
- Bill Buley, city editor