Favorite Romance

Hello everyone:) This week each of us will take a turn talking about our favorite romantic (fill in the blank) :) I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about my favorite romantic movie. I have a slew of favorites that I watch over and over again that brings forth that happy, contented sigh or blasted tear to my eyes. But one movie stands out above all others in my mind. I think you will be surprised to find out what it is.

There have been a million (Yes, I exaggerate, but it feels like a million) different versions of Cinderella shown on the big screen. Out of all the fairy tales to be redone, IMO, Cinderella is the most popular. Of course there is the Disney version and probably most well known. There are also teen flicks like, A Cinderella Story and Another Cinderella Movie. Heck, even Elmo stared in one called Cinderelmo.

So why am I babbling about Cinderella? Because of all the movies I could pick from it is one of these Cinderella adaptations that wins as my all time favorite.

Ever After

The moment I watched it ten years ago, I fell in love and I still love it to this day. Drew Barrymore stars as Cinderella and Anjelica Huston as the wicked stepmother. Could you ask for a better villain? She plays the part to perfection, adding just a bit if vulnerability so you see she is also struggling with a deep sadness she refuses to reveal. I loved this addition to the character. Now she is still wicked, LOL, but this side that is rarely shown in any other version I’ve seen, added a lot of depth to the character.

Then there is the Prince of France. Henry (played by Dougray Scott). Again, not your perfect swoop-you-off-your-feet-go-ga-ga over Prince. He’s arrogant, slightly spoiled and privileged. It’s his growth throughout the movie, with the help of Danielle, a woman who believes in helping the poor, that gives another layer of richness.



Ever After might be an odd choice among some of the classic romances out there, but I’m a sucker for a fairy tale. This everyday rendition of a childhood story is taken one step forward with depth, scenery (which is breathtaking, I might add) and a solid plot that goes further than a woman being treated as a housemaid in her own home and the Prince who rides in on a white horse to save her. I've added a video here. It's more than a trailer so if you haven't seen the movie you will get more insight to how the movie progresses, so be warned. But I couldn't help myself either, LOL.


So my question(s) to you today is: Do you have a favorite romance movie, or better yet, a version of a movie that has been redone to death, but one version stands out above them all?

13 comments:

Nicole North said...

Oooh I love Ever After! I have to agree with you that it's the best Cinderella incarnation. The part where she had to carry him was hilarious and unexpected. I also love the various versions of Beauty and the Beast.

Anne Rainey said...

I don't much care for romantic movies. I know *gasp*. LOL But I did watch that one. Wonderful movie!

Carly Carson said...

I rarely watch movies. But I do remember "My Brilliant Career", an Australian film that I loved. Despite the title, it was a romance.

Carly

Cameo Brown said...

Hi Esme!

I love romantic movies, but good ones are so hard to come by! I did like "Ever After," but one of my favorites is "The Lake House." The reason? I avoided watching it for as long as possible because I'd heard--wrongly--that it had what I considered a bad ending. Then my uber-romantic hubby convinced me to watch it with him, and, well, let's just say the end of the movie wasn't half as romantic as the rest of my evening. Now THAT'S entertainment! :)

Cameo

Dana Fredsti said...

I definitely enjoyed EVER AFTER, but I think my favorite modern romance of all times is ROMANCING THE STONE...

Natasha Moore said...

I love romantic movies. Almost as much as romantic books :) I'm going to have to pull out my DVD of Ever After, haven't watched that in a long time. It's hard for me to come up with a favorite...but Ever After, Romancing the Stone and The Lake House are all on my shelf :)

Abby Niles said...

Oh, I loved Romancing the Stone, also loved Jewel of the Nile, lol. Great Movie. I need to dig that one out:)

I watched The Lake House and cried like a baby, lol. Also a great flick. And oh-la-la on the rest of the evening:):)

Nicole-I also loved it when she picked him up. I laughed like the gypsy did.

Thanks for your comments:)
Esme

Carol Ericson said...

You know, I've never seen Ever After from start to finish, just bits and pieces. I love romantic comedies, and Drew Barrymore stars in a couple of my favorites - Music and Lyrics - love Hugh Grant in this one and all the music is wonderful! I also like Fever Pitch with Drew and Jimmy Fallon. The scene when she runs across the field as Fenway Park is hilarious and romantic. I also really enjoy Love Actually (speaking of Hugh) and Hugh's story and Colin Firth stories are my favorites in that movie. Loved the clip.

Ashley L said...

Ever After is one of my favorite romance movies. I love the historical setting and the characters portrayed in the movie. Anjelica Houston playing the wicked stepmother perfectly and that nasty blond stepsister I just about wanted to rip her hair out.

Debbie Tsikuris said...

I have so many favorites, but, and this is funny in a way. French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Cline. The last scene, check it out when he is kissing her in the vineyard, the way he is hugging her is ... oh soo romantic!! Like he can never get enough of her and all his love is shown in the was his fist holds the back of her dress. OH my!! the funny part is that I read somewhere where he didn't even like her, shows what a great actor he is.
debbie

Ashley Ludwig said...

Debbie - that scene - it's so obvious that he loves her. You are spot on!

And, as far as mine...I still am a huge sap when it comes to old movies. I love the end scene of Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - -when Katherine Hepburn is listening to Spencer Tracy's monologue about their daughter, and love, and marriage...

I still get choked up, seeing the truth of their love in both of them...well into their sunset years...

Great post! Ever After is right up there with my all time favorite princess classics.

~Ashley

Maree Anderson said...

As much as I love Ever After, for me the most romantic movie ever is The Thomas Crown Affair - the version with Renee Russo and Pierce Brosnan. Now Pierce isn't exactly my idea of the sexiest man evah, but the chemistry these two show on the screen is to die for. And the scene near the end where she realizes what she's lost and rushes to the airport...only to be told she's too late? Where's the tissue box - I'm sniffling writing this. The final scene is a stunner. You just know that they'll always be together....sigh.

Terry Spear said...

I was going to say Romancing the Stone too. But I also loved The Princess Bride. :)