Valentine's Day Movies

What is your favorite all-time romance movie to watch on Valentine's Day each year? Mine is, like many incurable romantics, An Affair to Remember. I've watched earlier and later versions of this movie, but none get me teary eyed and sentimental like the 1957 version. Much as I like Charles Boyer and Irene Dunn in the original, I relate better to the Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant version. I later learned that Kerr and Grant improvised some of their lines, so they truly were a good casting fit.

Why is this a sentimental favorite? (It's still one of the most aired movies during February and was voted the #5 greatest romance film of all time*) For me, it has the elements I look for in a good romance story. (Spoiler alert: If you've yet to watch the movie, stop reading now)

1. Conflict. Each is engaged to marry someone else, but they're attracted to each other.
2. Tough choices: Their significant others aren't villains or jerks. In fact, Terry's ex-fiance is a nice guy who remains her friend. We can't help but like him.
3. Sympathetic characters. Neither Nickie nor Terry wants to hurt anyone and truly tries to do what is right. They're honest and up front.
4. Tragic event: Terry is hit by a car on her way to rendezvous with Nickie. The accident leaves her wheelchair-bound.
5. Secrets: Terry hides her injury from Nickie. Nickie hides his heartache from Terry.
6. Character growth: Nickie, the rich playboy who hasn't worked a day in his life, proves he can be a successful painter. Terry finds a productive outlet in teaching music to children.
7. Pacing: The promise to meet in six months is exchanged precisely halfway through the movie.
8. Happy ending: Reunited and filled with hope, the two commit at the story's end.

I want a happy ending, which is why I have little enthusiasm for films like Message in a Bottle or Dr. Zhivago. 

If you share my love for this movie, tell me your reasons. If you have another favorite, please share. 

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥


*The American Film Institute

Movie Talk

An author posted the question on Facebook re: books made into motion pictures. Are there any movies that you enjoyed more than the book upon which it was based? My first thought was Doctor Zhivago. I tried reading Pasternak's novel in college while studying Russian lit. Not at all readable. I made it through One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Anna Karenina, and Crime and Punishment just fine. But the movie Doctor Zhivago captured the horror of war, the ruthlessness of Lara's husband, the incredible Russian scenery, and the emotional battle within a man in love with two women. The book did not, at least not for me.

Then there are motion pictures that borrow the title of a book and little else, like Ian Fleming's The Spy Who Loved Me. I enjoyed the book, but except for the James Bond character, it bore no resemblance to the movie. Alas, the movie was more entertaining. Then there's Jean Shepherd's In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, which is a delightful read (not a novel. More of a collection of vignettes from Shepherd's childhood) but not quite as entertaining as its film version, A Christmas Story. Who doesn't enjoy A Christmas Story, with Ralphie's quest for the ultimate boy's Christmas present, a Red Ryder BB gun?

I could write a post every day about movies that fail to do the book justice, but that's been done to death. Borrowing from my colleague's question, is there a film you thought was an improvement on the book?

The Chill Factor

I'm on deadline and have no time for this, but I am shopping for a new refrigerator. I would rather shop for a new car or a new dishwasher. Just about anything else! I dread cleaning out the old, moving it (we're keeping it. It goes into my husband's garage), cleaning the embarrassing dirt hidden behind/beneath it, etc. Agh! When am I supposed to do all this when I'm trying to write my romance novel?

It's quite a process. After all, buying a refrigerator is a commitment. It's an appliance I hope to live with at least 20 years, although my current model is only 11. It works great. So why am I putting myself through this angst?

BECAUSE THE BLASTED THING IS TOO BIG!

I thought I wanted 26 cubic feet with double door, etc. Yet it sticks out into my kitchen like a giant footstool. Two people don't need 26 cubic feet, especially if they have a second model plus a chest freezer in the garage. So I'm downsizing.

Husband and I agreed on the following criteria:

• Must be made in USA
• Must have external ice/water dispenser 
• Must be counter-depth
• Must be no taller than 69.8"
• Must be Energy Star rated
• Must be either white or stainless steel

We discovered few models fit our criteria. Or our kitchen space. Funny how many refrigerators are 70"+ tall. Not that many qualify as Energy Star, either, but that's a must for us. But we've narrowed it down to a couple. Right now the frontrunner is a Maytag 20.6 cu. ft that fits all the criteria. And it's on sale at Lowe's! 

But we're still shopping. Stay tuned in the new refrigerator shopping saga.