2008 was not a great year for romance on screen, as I have already noted. But there were four very touching movie love stories that deserve special mention:
Wall∙E: Love brought two mechanical creatures to life in this tender romance about a rusty trash compactor with a sentimental soul who falls in love with a sleek little exploratory drone. Together they learn that the real prime directive is devotion and that some rules must be ignored.
HIgh School Musical 3: Senior Year One of the best things about the third in the HSM series is the relationship between Troy and Gabriella. No silly misunderstandings. No pettiness, power-plays, or jealousy. Just sweetness, respect, and support. When Gabriella’s special program prevents her from attending the prom, Troy brings the prom to her — nothing big or showy, just a recognition that they don’t need anything else to make their music.
“Slumdog Millionaire” Two children grow up in a world of unspeakable abuse and poverty but the purity of the love they share keeps their souls intact. At the end of the film, he leans down for their first kiss and instead of her lips, he kisses her scar, showing her that he cannot help be grateful for everything that made her who she is and brought them to this place together.
Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist One of the very few falling-in-love stories of the year, this was this adorable romance starring Kat Dennings and Michael Cera. It beautifully catches the way that falling in love at the same time transforms us and makes us our most authentic selves.
The good news is that there is a good love story opening up in the first month of the new year, an indicator, I hope, of a better year for movie romance in 2009.
posted December 26, 2008 at 8:48 am
Oh, Last Chance Harvey looks wonderful! Emma Thompson is one of my favorite actresses. I’ll put this one on my definite “to see” list.
Thank you so much for the wonderful lists and reviews. I found your site in the middle of this year and it has become the one I check for nearly all things movie related. The only thing I go to another site for is movie times, LOL. I’ve even been recommending your reviews to my friends and family.
Thank you for all the work you do, and Merry Christmas!
Amanda J.
posted December 27, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Thanks so much, Amanda! You made my day. The best thing about having this blog is the chance to be in touch with wonderful people who love to comment on the movies they see.
I have seen “Last Chance Harvey” and I think you will like it. Emma Thompson is great as always (and blessings on her for not doing anything to her face to try to look younger) and she and Dustin Hoffman are terrific together.
Thanks for a wonderful comment and all best wishes for a happy and healthy the new year filled with great movies!
posted December 27, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Caught “Last Chance Harvey” at Starz Denver Film Festival … what a treat to see a grown up romance, one that doesn’t adhere to the modern rom-com formula. It’s Hoffman’s best film – and performance – in ages. Just writing about it makes me wanna see it again.
posted December 27, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I agree, Christian! Hoffman and Thompson were sensational. You could tell they brought out the best in each other as actors and as characters. The script was not always up to what they brought to it but they kept me interested and involved and rooting for them the whole way. I thought the supporting cast was great, too.
Happy new year! I know this will be a great year for you and your family.
posted December 31, 2008 at 10:35 am
I love your reviews….but I thought Wall-E was one of the most depressing movies I’ve seen in my 60yrs….
It might have been made for children but we adults could read into the “mess”that the people of earth did to our world….and who is to say that we’re not heading in that directions…if we all don’t start taking care of Mother Earth?
The other movies were great…
Happy New Year and God bless