“I Love You, But I Don’t”

Don’t you hate it when the lovers don’t end up together? Damn, realism to hell I think everyone gets those pangs in the stomach when the credits roll and you realise that the lovers will be remain apart. The thing is, it works in films. So many classics have been memorable precisely because the lovers end up apart, it hurts, but it’s still true. It doesn't count when they die, so things like Titanic and Atonement don't count. I'm talking about those films where everyone ends up alive - but they also end up alone, living alone and not liking it.These are the five that I think do the deed best. Interesting enough, interestingly all five are Best Picture winners four are Oscar winners.

                    
Gone With the Wind (1939) (my review)
"Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn."

 Clark Gable doesn’t do much for me, granted I’m not the target audience for him to “do things to”. He’s a fine actor, but I just never go crazy for him. Of course, Gone With the Wind is all about Ms. Vivien Leigh who is completely riveting as our protagonist Scarlett. Unlike another entry, Gone With the Wind is often referred to as a love-story, at heart - something I never really see. I will admit though, Gable and Leigh do have some striking chemistry and that makes the film just a little more excellent.

                       
Casablanca (1942) (my review)
"Play it once, Sam. For old times sakes."

Ingrid Bergman is just lovely, and Bogey is no slouch himself. It's another one of those tragically memorable ones and with good reason, I suppose. I don't love it quite as much as the everyone else, but I do love it.There is much to love. True, the romance sometimes is secondary much of the plot - like with Gone With the Wind) and true it's a story that's more about coping with life's hardships than about love...but it's still a story about love at the end of it all.

                 
Annie Hall (1977) (thoughts on Diane)
"La-di-da, la-di-da, la la"

Of course the crux of Annie Hall lies in her become too mature for Annie Hall and in that way I suppose it's not so sad as pathetic. But I can't make a list like this without Woody. Sure, Alvy just can't commit and that's the very reason the relationship cannot survive - and therein lies the tragedy. They just cannot function together forever, no matter how good they are as one. True it's a comedy, but it's a bittersweet one.
            

Shakespeare in Love (1998) (my review)
"This is not life, Will, it's a stolen season."

It's true, like the others, the poignancy in this tale lies in the fact that the lovers don't end up with each other, but it's still sad. Palthrow and Fiennes work so well together, and we know it won't end well for love. Nonetheless, I can't help but get a little teary eyed as they part for the final time, and when that final image of Palthrow pops up walking on the beach...just magic. It's not wholly loved, but I love it enough to make up for the haters.
               
The Age of Innocence (1993) (my review)
"I think we should look at reality not dreams"

Yes, the last one's the one that didn't get that Best Picture win (or nomination), but I'll always pretend. Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day Lewis are scorching even though they spend so much time apart, but little things like a kiss on the neck, a glove are all so erotic, and it's all so tragic. Scorsese knows how to direct tortured souls, and Newland and Ellen are two such souls. Unlike the above four, they don't even get to consummate their relationships and spend just a few moments of almost bliss. Heartbreakingly tragic.

                     
Which of these unrequited lovers thrill you the most? Which of your own would you add?

A Few Words About Casablanca

Casablanca always saddens me a bit. It is ironic how despite being advertised as one of the greatest love stories of its time it’s really quite depressing. The film is really quite bleak and is all about dealing with what life throws at you. Try as I may I can’t write an adequate review of it; probably because it’s all been said before. Sure it’s not my favourite film, but I won’t deny the sheer gorgeousness of it all. The acting – is spending, and the consummate supporting actor – Claude Rainns – is good here. Of course it all comes down to Ingrid and Bogart. Ingrid Bergman remains as one of the loveliest faces to brighten the screen and she’s exceptional here, but you already know that.

Casablanca ranks with The Godfather, Citizen Kane and Schindler’s List as those films that you have to love…or else. I like two very much, respect one and the other I am not too fond of.. Casablanca I suppose is ranked just a little too low. But the thing with these massively popular films is that it’s often difficult to get that personal feeling for something that everyone is enamoured with. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mitigate the sheer brilliance of Curtiz’s film. Casablanca is good film making, and it’s a classic for a reason. Here it is at #82.