Romance Movie

The Decoy Bride (2011)

The Decoy Bride

The Decoy Bride (2011)

Director:

Sheree Folkson

Starring:

Kelly Macdonald

David Tennant

Alice Eve

Plot:

When the world’s media descend on the remote Scottish island where a Hollywood actress is attempting to get married, a local girl is hired as a decoy bride to put the paparazzi off the scent.

Review:

Another Netflix recommendation. Love the Scottish accents, it reminds me of Brave. A quick search tells me that Kelly Macdonald did the voice of Merida in Brave, so that’s probably why.

I kind of feel sorry for Lara, Alice Eve, she’s evidently a great person, she’s just not right for James, David Tennant. He is the doctor, though, so it’s hard to be the one for him.

The story was cute, nothing really amazing except for the accents. I liked it and would watch it again. Reminded me of The Matchmaker with Janeane Garofalo, but that was probably just the accents. Did I mention I loved them?

3.5/5

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Director:

David O. Russell

Starring:

Bradley Cooper

Jennifer Lawrence

Robert De Niro

Plot:

After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.

Review:

So this was one of the top movies Netflix had recommended for romance and I haven’t seen it, so I figured why not.

Not a very romantic opening. Bradley Cooper’s character is bipolar and doesn’t want to take his meds. He’s a bit crazy with moments of way too crazy. Tiffany, Jennifer Lawrence, is also messed up. Her cop husband has died and she has fallen back into bad habits. Slutty habits. She really just needs someone to love her for her and not for her wild sexy behavior.

After it’s clearly explained that they’re both fucked up, Tiffany says she’ll only give his ex-wife a letter if he dances with her. Naturally.

When they finally dance I had my fingers in my ears and I was humming because it was just too much tension for me. In the end their crazies meld and everyone was happy.

This was not the type of romance I was looking for, and the beginning was a bit rough for me to get through, but I liked the ending. I guess I’m just not cultured enough to like Oscar winners.

3/5

Re-Watch: You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Youve Got Mail

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Director:

Nora Ephron

Starring:

Tom Hanks

Meg Ryan

Greg Kinnear

Plot:

Two business rivals hate each other at the office but fall in love over the internet.

Review:

The intro is so great, the sound of the internet connecting. So many memories… Obviously the technology doesn’t hold up.

I like the modern interpretation of The Shop Around the Corner. Unlike In the Good Old Summertime, this isn’t just adding music or a modern setting. The story takes several new changes. Kathleen Kelly, Meg Ryan, isn’t working beneath Joe Fox, Tom Hanks, she owns her own business and they are rivals. She isn’t as mean as the other women either. She has her moment, but it’s a fluke and not something she’s normally able to do. When she is mean what she says is, basically, what the women said in the previous movies.

Tom Hanks is probably just as awesome as Jimmy Stewart, love him.

Like the soundtrack in this movie too.

Honestly, this is one of my favorite romance movies, it’s been a while since I’ve watched it so I’m glad I had an excuse.

5/5

Re-Watch The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Shop Around the Corner

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Director:

Ernst Lubitsch

Starring:

Margaret Sullavan

James Stewart

Frank Morgan

Plot:

Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand one another, without realizing that they’re falling in love through the post as each other’s anonymous pen pal.

Review:

This is one of my favorite Jimmy Stewart movies. He plays a store clerk that has come to a point in his life where he wants a little bit more out of his life. So naturally he answers a personal ad in the paper.

One thing leads to another and he falls in love with the girl he writes to, evidently the idea of it being a dude doesn’t enter his mind. Such a trusting time. When he finally gets to meet her, he’s nervous that she’s going to be fugly, then he finds out it’s the woman he works with and hates.

Since it’s Jimmy Stewart and he’s not a total dick, though I’m not sure if anyone’s a total dick, he ends up wooing her as himself and not just through letters. It’s beautiful.

I do think Margaret Sullavan’s character is a bit of a bitch at times. There are also some dark moments, attempted suicide and infidelity, though, not from Jimmy or Margaret. It’s a great story and a nice look at depression era sensibilities.

5/5