April 5th, 2008
Forbidden Love in Film
I once heard that if a writer studies their list of favorite movies, and from that list distills a central theme, then that’s what their writing should be about. This concept came up in one of my weekly writer’s group meetings, and we chuckled a bit trying to distill each of our own central themes. When I listed my five favorites, it was forbidden love, or at least love in exotic locales that was the uniting idea. Now that I’ve got your interest, here are my top 5 movies:
Lost in Translation: Forbidden Love/Exotic Locale: Bored 20 something newlywed meets bored 50 something movie star. The two form a bond during one week stuck in the same hotel in Japan. Priceless Scene: Bill Murray singing karaoke version of Roxy Music’s More Than Words to Scarlet Johansson – the look in his eyes…wow!
The English Patient: Forbidden Love/Exotic Locale: Man seduces best friend’s wife in WWII era North Africa. Priceless Scene: Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas stuck in a sandstorm, inside of a car, overnight.
Romancing the Stone: Forbidden Love/Exotic Locale: Romance writer finds herself inside one of her novels, searching for lost treasure with hunky hero in the jungles of Columbia. Priceless Scene: Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner escaping through the jungle slide down the side of a hill with Michael landing between Kathleen’s creamy white thighs, dripping wet from the downpour.
Love Actually: Forbidden Love/ Exotic Locale: The entire movie’s a love theme set in London! Priceless Scene: Andrew Lincoln declares his love for his best-friend’s new bride, Keria Knightley by posing as a Christmas caroler and flipping through words on poster boards. Heart-wrenching!
Sound of Music: Forbidden Love/Exotic Locale: WWII era Austria. Eldest daughter of very wealthy family is in love with local boy turned Nazi. Priceless Scene: Daniel Truhitte comes to visit the house, Charmain Carr sneaks out and they sing and dance in the gazebo ending with a fabulous kiss!
What are your favorite movies and your secret theme?
