Romantic Movie Sucker
 

Ok. I'm a girl. I'm not a "girly" girl, really, though. But last week I watched a dvd of a BBC mini series that made me sigh and remember that I am a very avid heterosexual female and a sucker for a well done costume drama. A friend recommended it and I found it via netflix. Apparently the movie has had a similar affect on a large number of women, crashed the bbc chat board back in the day and helped push the film onto dvd . It has not been broadcast in the US, so you have to go find it. Its worth it. sigh.

The film is from 2004 (I think) and called North & South- but its not about the US civil war. It is based on a Victorian novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, set in 1850 UK. It stars Richard Armitage as John Thornton finding his way in the young textile mill industry. And the whole cast is great, but I must say, he is mighty fine. sigh.

So. Has anyone seen this?
Do you have a favorite to share?

wait. is that the one with the repetitive soundtrack that uses a lot of Boom chika bowbooow?

Girl? No. Girly? No. Sucker for a Romantic Movie? Yes.

Although I haven't seen the one you describe, I do have some favorites of my own.

What Dreams May Come.

Field of Dreams.

Big Fish.

I'll review the movie rack at home. I'm certain there are some I'm forgetting. I've had a pretty steady diet of other stuff (anime, tv series...) and I'd be happy to refresh my memory.

Well...it starts as a slow gentle piano solo...foreplay, you know. The boomchicka hits you later, internalized. : )

North & South is kinda Charles Dickens meets Jane Austen.

I did an IMDB search on Richard Armitage, and....YUM

I like costume dramas a lot, and romantic films, if they are somewhat comedic and well done, not sappy. "Love, Actually" and "Notting Hill" are both terrific films, for example.

I liked Love Actually because although I think it was sappy (sorry 'Spode) it also hurt. I like films with real pain in them, not the saccharine replacement version you often get in blockbusters.

Oh yes my friend, one is riveted by Thornton.
(And I'm not even calling up his Guy of Gisborne for a whole other facet of nuclear hotness. gulp).

Elspode you'd like this. Seriously check out N&S on dvd. This is just a great story, well done. It is beautifully shot in great locations to create 1850s Manchester-like city. I'm fond of shots from Edinburgh, the narrow old dark streets and that great park overlooking the city (I was there sooooo long ago), and in textile mill museums they brought to life (maybe that's the weaver in me). also Sinead Cusack nails a great role as Thornton's strong mother. All the performances are really good.

Love Actually is great movie. How about 'Out of Africa'.

Its been a while since Ive seen Out of Africa, I just remember Meryl Streep did an amazing job. Redford (like Pitt) is always just a bit too pretty for my tastes. But wasnt there a great scene with tents and a gramaphone? : )

I liked, "Much Ado About Nothing" 90's version? Very lighthearted and fun.
Oh here:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm82942464/tt0107616

I also thought, "Eternal Sunshine of A Spotless Mind" was very romantic in the intense way. I like Jim Carrey when he is being serious. Almost really handsome! (but just handsome)

Oh and "What Dreams May Come" was awesome...good one BigV!

Thanks Cicero. Your picks are also favorites of mine, both of which we own. The bantering between Emma Thompson and Kenneth Brannagh is priceless. More correctly, Shakespeare's dialog is masterful, and they honor it by delivering superb performances. Props to Keanau and Denzel too yo!

2 of my favorites are Chocolat and Don Juan DeMarco - both Johnny Depp movies, which doesn't hurt.

Hey, I can get behind Much Ado, too. Emma Thompson...her Sense and Sensibility was pretty good.

I still love the movie Truly, Madly Deeply with Juliet Stevenson Alan Rickman. again, just enough of an edge to avoid the big sappy. Lots of great textiles in the art direction, too.

hmmmm. my fav Depp romantic roll was Finding Neverland. I liked that movie very much.

Sex Lies and Videotape. OK it doesn't set out to be romantic.

People like that "Pretty Woman", which it seems to me works until you're pointed out the reasons why it shouldn't. (i.e., Julia Roberts: genuine as an actress but not genuine as a prostitute.)

I thought that "City of Angels" was absolutely perfect... right up until the last third.

There's romance in Wings of Desire, the original to City of Angels: So very weird. And something about the lovely and strange Peter Falk (rather than Cage) as the angel...Its one of those movies that lingers in your head.

Let's not forget "Shakespeare in Love", while we're on the topic of costume dramas and romantic films.

I also recommend "Dangerous Beauty" very highly, as well as "The Girl with the Pearl Earring". Not quite so costumey, but definitely Period, is "Sirens".

Don't overlook "Bevis and Butthead do America."

I'm absolutely floored by some of the responses. "What Dreams May Come"? Really? After seeing that, my friends banned the person who chose the movie that night from having a say in our movie selection for a year. We STILL talk about how bad it was 10 years later.

Anyway, in terms of quality movies, Eternal Sunshine is always great.

Guilty pleasures: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Two Weeks Notice -- very cheesy, but always amusing

The movie may have sucked, I'll grant you that, but you have to admit that it was visually interesting.

I can't wait for the new Bond to come out. Daniel Craig is completely hott.

I always liked "10 Things I Hate About You." A teen romantic film, but I found it to be very amusing!

I vaguely remember that North & South; or maybe I'm remembering something similar.

Not a huge fan of romantic movies--never go see 'em in the theater, but occasionally I get hooked on one seen on tv or video, particularly in the romantic comedy genre.

Two of my favorites: "Moonstruck" with Cher and Nicholas Cage, and "Fools Rush In" with Salma Hayek and -- that guy from Friends.

I'm with you Cloud. Not a "romantic movie" person per se, but a well-written well acted movie is great, no matter the genre.

And Moonstruck! Love it.

Nicholas Cage's character "I'm no monument to justice!"

"In time, you'll drop dead and I'll come you your funeral in a red dress!!!!" --one of my fave quotes. Here are some more quotes from Moonstruck:

http://www.quotegeek.com/index.php?a...categoryid=785

What Women Want - clever premise
Simply Irresistable - It's true I'm a sucker for SMG, but I think this is underrated.

Depends on your definition of romance I suppose.
The most passionate film I think I have ever watched was all about unrequited love - Manon des Sources. My throat burned from trying not to cry, and when I gave way I sobbed. Had to stop the video (as it was then, kids).