Top Ten Film Romances

From top left: When Harry Met Sally, Brief Encounter, Dirty Dancing, Beauty and the Beast, Brokeback Mountain, Casablanca and centre, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

With it being Valentine's Day, Ticket Stub is all loved up this week! To mark this occasion, I have picked my Top Ten Film Romances.

What are your favourites? Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog. 

1. Casablanca (1942) - Rick and Ilsa

"Here's looking at you, kid" 

One of the most iconic Hollywood romances starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. 

2. Beauty and the Beast (1991) - Belle and Beast

"Tale as old as time..."

This animated love story is enchanting and wonderfully romantic, showing the importance of inner beauty and not judging by appearances.

3. Dirty Dancing (1987) - Baby and Johnny

"Nobody puts Baby in the corner"

Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, the sexy dancing and cute scenes between the two characters make this one of the best coming of age romances.

4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - Joel and Clementine 

"Why do I fall in love with every woman I see who shows me the least bit of attention?"

Erasing the memory of their relationship, we see the sweet yet destructive romance between Joel and Clementine. One of my top favourite films of all time.

5. When Harry Met Sally - Harry and Sally

"You say things like that and you make it impossible for me to hate you. And I hate you, Harry. I really hate you"

What can I say? I had to include it! If you read Ticket Stub often, you know I adore this rom-com. Harry and Sally test out the theory whether men and women can just be friends. 

6. Titanic (1997) - Jack and Rose

"I'll never let go"

I grew up with this movie and loved the Romeo and Juliet nature of Jack and Rose's relationship. Not only are they confronted with objections from society, they have to survive a sinking ship. 

Certainly one of the top film romances.

7. Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Ennis and Jack

"I wish I knew how to quit you"

Ennis and Jack fall in love in a tragic romance based on Annie Proulx's short story which I highly recommend reading.

8. Brief Encounter (1945) -  Laura and Alec

"If you'd die, you'd forget me. I want to be remembered"

A classic black and white cinematic romance. Laura and Alec meet at a railway station and begin a romantic love affair.

9. Annie Hall (1977) - Annie and Alvy

"Love is too weak a word for what I feel  - I luuurve you, you know, I loave you, I luff you"

Another favourite on Ticket Stub, Annie Hall may not end in the perfect romantic fashion but it is one of the best takes on romantic relationships.

10. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - Annie and Sam

"I don't want to be someone that anyone settles for"

Showing in cinema screens tonight, this is a cheesy rom-com with the glorious Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The film also references the wonderful An Affair to Remember (1957).

I have missed LOADS of movie romances off this list. 

What are your favourites?

Tweet @TicketStubBlog or comment below!

Happy Valentine's Day <3

When Harry Met Annie

Earlier this month, I recommended Annie Hall as Ticket Stub's Sunday Classic. In the post, I mentioned the films that have been heavily influenced by Woody Allen's classic. So I thought we would look at this a little more closely...

When Harry Met Sally is one of my all time favourite films and it definitely pays homage to Annie Hall. 

I'm going to run through a few examples, which I hadn't noticed until watching the films recently.

1. Opening Monologues

Annie Hall begins with Woody Allen's character Alvy, explaining his outlook on life and his relationships.

When Harry Met Sally is interspersed throughout with short monologues by couples, talking about where and when they first met. Like Annie Hall, the background colours are similar and the characters all look, more or less, straight down the lens addressing the audience. The couples are hilarious and charming. Here is an edited version of all their stories together:

2. Annie and Sally's Costume

Annie's costume became iconic in the 70s so it is no wonder that Sally takes a leaf out of her book here in the autumnal scene at Central Park. Notice the same hats, long trousers and masculine look of the two outfits.

Image: thebudgetfashionista.com

Image: thecitrusreport.com

3. Montage

A clear homage is paid here and it was one of the first examples I noticed. Both films have montages showing the course of each relationship, through happy, sad and hilarious moments - such as Sally's fake orgasm scene and Alvy sneezing from the cocaine.

Watch the first 47 seconds for When Harry Met Sally scene:

4. Location

Both are set in New York and use the city to its full capacity in filming. From the quirky diners and small bookshops to the impressive city skyline, you definitely know you're in NYC. The concrete jungle creates a stark contrast to the sunny superficial world of Los Angeles depicted in Annie Hall.

"Well, have a nice life"
Harry and Sally say goodbye after their first meeting by Washington Square Arch

Image: christianallaire.com

"I'll have what she's having"
The most famous scene from When Harry Met Sally, which takes place at the popular diner, Katz's Delicatessen  

Image: en.wikipedia.org

"I luff you"
Annie and Alvy awkwardly confess their love to each other with the romantic city skyline in the background

Image: thirteen.org

"Love fades...God, that's a depressing thought"
As the couple argue in the intense city streets, Alvy turns to New Yorkers to hear what they have to say about love...

5. Soundtrack

It Had to be You is sung in both films.
Annie's version however, is a disaster. She sings it beautifully in the New York bar but no-one appreciates it.

In Rob Reiner's film though, It Had To Be You is sung by the classic voice of Frank Sinatra. This is a far more romantic moment as Harry finally realises that he truly loves Sally.

6. Musings on Death

We all know that Woody Allen is obsessed with this theme and Alvy certainly thinks about death a lot.
He even gives Annie books on the subject:

Harry similarly obsesses over death - "I spend hours, I spend days".
Hear what he does every time he buys a new book...

7. Split Screens

Split screens in Annie Hall happen on two occasions: When Annie and Alvy's mothers exchange conversation while at the dinner table and during both the characters' therapy sessions.

When Harry Met Sally uses split screens for telephone calls. The best one being the four way split screen with Jesse and Marie picking up each of Harry and Sally's calls the morning after:

Both these instances create comedy and are very clever in terms of timing. Yet, it is interesting to notice that the split screens in Annie Hall are always dominated by Alvy's side and his point of view whilst Annie's screen is shoved to the left hand side. It further shows how dominant Alvy is on Annie and her way of life. However, with Harry and Sally the split is even. No dominant. They are both equals and friends, which visually indicates that their relationship is more balanced and solid compared to Annie and Alvy.

8. High Maintenance 

High maintenance or low maintenance? When Harry Met Sally explores this throughout, particularly with Sally's ridiculous food orders:

It is a very brief moment I noticed in Annie Hall but one none-the-less! A very quick instance shows this difference between Alvy and Annie as they order food at a diner. Just look at Alvy's face as Annie orders.

Although both these films have many similarities, it is the fate of both relationships and the outlook of the two that differ. Harry and Sally have their ups and downs but develop a strong friendship leading to their long lasting relationship together. Annie and Alvy seem like a great match but ultimately do not see eye to eye and, as we know from the very beginning of the film, they are not destined to be together.

It is fascinating to note that the original ending of When Harry Met Sally did not have the couple getting together. This ending didn't resonate with test audiences so was scrapped. The perfect Hollywood ending. So, although there is a clear respect and homage to Annie Hall, the conclusions of both the films are widely different.