Film Soup: I'm A Romantic ♥
Welcome to the second installment of Film Soup, where I write about movies, although my interest in film remains only personal (rather than academic, critical, or otherwise). In this installment, I will put forth some of my favorite romance movies as we inch into Hell Season to hopefully keep our spirits high. However, I regret to report my Letterboxd follower count is now back down to 24 (we lost a random one to the war). Such is life.
Youth In Revolt (2009) dir. Miguel Arteta
I am going to start with this Michael Cera flick, where Michael, playing Nick Twisp, falls in love with the girl next door in a trailer park. Though physically next door, Sheeni is enamored with all things French, and Nick is enamored with all things Sheeni. When he meets her, the doe-eyed protagonist is decidedly spoken for by a futurist percussive poet, but that doesn’t stop Nick and his bad boy alter ego, François, from ensuing shenanigans to win her over, including stealing a car, running from the police, and a boarding school break-in.
Brooklyn (2015) dir. John Crowley
Starring one of my favorite actresses, Saoirse Ronan, the fifth film is based on Colm Tóibín’s novel of the same name and has long been a favorite of mine. The film follows a recent Ellis Island immigrant as she navigates her new life in America. However, after a family tragedy, she is called back to Ireland to return to her family. The two worlds she finds herself between involves a romance with two different men, and, consequently, two different lives depending on whether she decides to continue to forge her way in America, or return, for good, to Ireland.
Phantom Thread (2017) dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
The second movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis as an intense and obsessive dressmaker in 1950s London. Though he believes himself entirely dedicated to his craft, Reynolds Woodcock meets Alma, a waitress-turned-muse, and his world is completely changed. Their relationship is caked in tension, as Reynolds is controlling and particular. However, Alma finds her own way to get his attention, which includes some less-than-appetizing offerings.
Notting Hill (1999) dir. Roger Michell
The third movie features Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant as an unlikely pairing, not only in their nationality, but in their occupation. When the world-famous Anna Scott stumbles into William Thacker’s travel bookshop (terrible business model, by the way), he can hardly believe his eyes. Their relationship is hallmarked by miscommunication and serendipity more than communication and planning, especially due to Anna Scott’s celebrity status, but love finds a way for everyone (but it certainly helps if you’re a quirky Englishman with sparkly blue eyes).
Summerland (2020) dir. Jessica Swale
The fourth film is set in the 1940s, during WWII. However, this is far from your average war romance movie. The movie features a reluctant guardian and pseudo-recluse, Alice, as she takes in a young boy, Frank, after he has been evacuated from London due to the war. As we learn more about Alice, we learn more about a woman she loved during her university days, named Vera, but ultimately could not be with because of Vera’s strong desire to become a mother. Alice continues to bond with Frank, she realizes there is an important connection between Frank and her lost love.
I Love You, Phillip Morris (2009) dir. Jacques Deray
Being gay is really expensive… The sixth and final film I’m going to recommend stars Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as criminally charming boyfriends, and is based on a true story. After leaving his life as a pastor, Steven Jay Russell (you can Google him) seeks to live his life authentically as an out-and-proud gay man. While he begins to lead a life of crime, he finds love behind bars with another prisoner, the titular Phillip Morris. Their love blossoms, but it’s not long before the n’erdoweller finds himself in more plots and schemes, but this time, in order to find a way to forever be with Phillip.