Thursday 15 September 2011

ROMANTIC DIALOGUE - THE BEST & WORST


Whilst re-watching the STAR WARS saga, I came across the thankfully forgotten clunky lines of romantic dialogue that Lucas had penned and whilst cringing, let my mind wander briefly to other examples where men and women try to express that allusive thing called love...

So, here are some of the more memorable lines throughout cinema's century - for all the right, and wrong, reasons. Which side do they come down for you?

Or, in the end, do you frankly give a damn?....




BEST LINES

Film: As Good As It Gets
Line giver: Jack Nicholson

If you still wonder how ol' Jack seems to keep pulling in the ladies, maybe it's because he gets to say lines like this... all previous sins seem to be forgiven, just like that.




Film: Jerry Maguire
Line giver: Rennee Zellweger

Even though the big speech is done by Tom Cruise, the killer line is quietly delivered by Rennee with such emotion and truth that it knocks it clean outta the park!




Film: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Line giver: Harrison Ford

Despite the story by George "what's romance?" Lucas, it's Ford who changed the original line to this borderline cocky response that all men would love the confidence to say.




Film: Notting Hill
Line giver: Julia Roberts

A personal fave of mine, again it's the thing that you always wish you could be on the receiving end of and Julia's smile and nervousness puts the final nail in the coffin.




Film: The Princess Bride
Line giver: Cary Elwes

3 words... just 3 words...that's all it takes and yet, they can be said too much and not enough. So, same sentiment but different phrasing! Sorted then! Clever Dread Pirate Roberts!




WORST LINES

Film: Back To The Future
Line giver: Crispin Glover

Totally unprepared for conversations with the opposite sex, Marty McFly's future dad shows how over-preparing other people's lines isn't such a great idea.




Film: Four Weddings & A Funeral
Line giver: Andie MacDowell

A line of dialogue that is so truly unique that both men AND women groan inwardly and outwardly upon hearing its utterance! Now that's special!




Film: Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones
Line giver: Natalie Portman and Hayden Christian

The one that started this whole article off for me - this is so bad because it's supposed to be the reason why the worst villain in cinema is born; out of the love lost between them! How wrong.




Film: Dirty Dancing
Line giver: Jennifer Grey

That all-important first impression can be heightened by that also equally important first line of dialogue between the two of the possible lovers... Nice try but no cigar baby.




Film: Gigli
Line giver: Jennifer Lopez

I f you have to be explained why this particular example made it to the list then, honestly, there is no saving you... at all.




Now it's your turn to tell me, as I stand before you, in the pouring rain, what should I have/not said? What should have made it onto the list, or for that matter, shouldn't have?....

5 comments:

  1. " it was like...... Magic". - Sleepless in Seattle
    " when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible". - When Harry met Sally
    " We'll always have Paris"- Casablanca

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  2. And how could i possibly forget the best one of all....."you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love … I love … I love you".. Pride & Prejudice, the one with Keira Knightly..

    And a classic, "Love means never having to say your sorry"- love story..
    But guess cos you haven't seen them they don't count?!?

    "I was looking up.... It was the nearest thing to heaven" - An affair to remember.

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  3. Reasons some of those didn't make it (but were considered):
    Sleepless In Seattle is said about someone and not to the specific individual;
    Casablanca feels like a get rid of line rather than a come here line;
    Love Story is neither great or bad - a lifetime of those awful cartoon strips of "Love is..." has diminished it's impact for me personally;
    An Affair To Remember I struggled with but more about the conversation about them meeting at The Empire State Building rather than the conclusion;

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  4. And P&P, come on that's a awesome line that makes you melt!!!

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  5. Of course the most romantic exchange in a film is that in which no words are spoken at all...

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