Confessions of a Closet-Romantic

I recently admitted, here on Dry Ground, that I sometimes cry at movies.

Here’s another shocker.

I’m a hopeless romantic.

I know… *gasp*

It’s a tough one to admit because, well, first, there’s that heightened risk of involuntary tears, but also because sappy romance absolutely gags me. I like clever, original, clean (although, not necessarily sterile – I mean, life is gritty, I get that), classy, meaningful love stories that reflect in some way, no matter how tiny, the Ultimate Love story.

I guess I have a good reason to be a romantic, though. I am designed to be loved by the Perfect Lover, so any hint of that kind of love will resonate. (See sidebar for more thoughts on The Perfect Lover!)

Writing, reading, watching movies, I love a good love story.

So, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday (so-called), and because everyone else on the web is doing it (and I’m such a crowd-follower J), I offer my list of favorites.

My Top 10 Fave Romantic Movies:

10. While You Were Sleeping (1995) –Sandra Bullock & Bill Pullman – “Lucy, I have to ask you a question.”

9. An Ideal Husband (1999) –Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Jeremy Northam – “My dear father, if we men married the women we deserved… we should have a very bad time of it.”

8. You Can’t Take It With You (1938) – Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, Jean Arthur – “Sometimes, you’re so beautiful, it just gags me.”

7. The Philadelphia Story (1940) –Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart – “The course of true love… gathers no moss.”

6. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal – “So what? So plenty! I love you, you belong to me!”

5. Phantom of the Opera (2004) – Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Miranda Richardson – “Anywhere you go, let me go too. Christine, that’s all I ask of you.”

4. Moulin Rouge! (2001) – Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent, John Leguizamo – “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

3. Ladyhawke (1985) – Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Broderick – “She loves you more than life itself. She’s had to.”

2. The Young Victoria (2009) – Rupert Friend, Emily Blunt, Miranda Richardson, Paul Bettany – “I had two very good reasons. First, I am replaceable and you are not… Second, you’re the only wife I’ve got or ever will have. You are my whole existence, and I will love you until my very last breath.”

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005) – Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland, Rupert Friend, & many more great talents – “Then, how are you this evening, Mrs. Darcy?”

(Please note the complete absence of popular titles such as Titanic, Ghost, The Notebook, and/or anything starring Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan. Also, as far as most romantic is concerned, no Twilight. Some of you thought worse of me, I know. J)

My Top 10 Fave Couples in Movies (appearing in films not necessarily romantic in genre):

10. Lars & Bianca - Lars and the Real Girl (2007) – Ryan Gosling – Okay, so the girl was a blow-up doll ordered off the internet, but who among those who saw it didn’t believe she was real by the end of the show simply because he really loved and grieved for her?

9. Clark Kent/Superman & Lois Lane – Superman (1978) – Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder – Some may call it “sap,” I’ll admit to “cheesy,” but still, who wouldn’t want to be swept off her feet… literally?

8. Lady & Tramp – Lady and the Tramp (1955) – Slurping spaghetti to the tune of “This is the night, such a beautiful night, and they call it Bella Notte…”

7. John & Jane Smith – Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005) – Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – Um… do I really need to elaborate?

6. Robin of Locksley & Maid Marian – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) – Kevin Costner & Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio – Can’t wait for Russell Crowe to top this in May!

5. Edward & Bella – Twilight (2008), New Moon (2009) – Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart – Come on. You knew they’d show up somewhere, right? As a couple, they rock.

4. Carl & Ellie Fredricksen – Up (2009) - Talk about tearjerker… every time during the first freaking five minutes of this film! The montage of their life is just a heart-wrencher! But in a good way.

3. Aragorn & Arwen – Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) – Viggo Mortensen and Liv Tyler – Their scenes together are just gorgeous.

2. Nathaniel & Cora – The Last of the Mohicans (1992) – Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeline Stowe – “I will find you!” Need I say more?

1. Will Turner & Elizabeth Swan – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) – Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley – Love how they end up. Love the last scene on the beach when he puts his boot on, then says, “I’m gonna need the other one.”

See, I wasn’t joking. Hopeless romantic. Really.

(But note absence of one notorious couple... a certain Shakespearean creation? Blah... )

Okay, I have to add a few honorable mentions for portraying strong marriages!

1. We Were Soldiers (2002) – Mel Gibson and Madeline Stowe as Lt. Col. Hal & Julie Moore

2. Amazing Grace (2006) – Ioan Gruffudd and Romola Garai as William & Barbara Wilberforce

3. Big Fish (2003) – Albert Finney and Jessica Lange as Ed & Sandra Bloom

My most favorite love story of all time has not yet made it to the screen, although they say they’re working on it – Redeeming Love (1997) authored by Francine Rivers. Man, if they can do it right (right meaning exactly how I have it pictured in my head J), what a powerful film that will be.

Well, there’s my long, opinionated list. I’d love to hear yours! Which stories really squeeze your gut in the romance department?

Thanks for spending time with me today on Dry Ground!

(photos by photobucket.com)