FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
 |
| a weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves |
If you are familiar with this series then you already know that it's a tradition for the month of February to have themes revolving around romance. It's not different this year and we are kicking off the month with films involving fake relationships. Without any further ado, here are my favourite films tied together by actresses I love.
Easy A (2010) - Review
Emma Stone stars as Olive Penderghast, a high school student who becomes the centre of attention when a lie about losing her virginity to a(n imaginary) college guy gets out. She decides to ride with it and use the high school rumour mill to advance socially while also making money. This is my happy movie. Whenever I am sad and need something to cheer me up, this is my go-to film. When I feel like watching Emma Stone and want something light, this is my go-to film. Sure, it is predictable and clichéd, but I just love it.
The Proposal (2009) - Review
Sandra Bullock plays Margaret Tate, a Canadian editor at a prestigious New York publishing house who, when her VISA expires, blackmails her personal assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), into marrying her so that she won't have to leave the country. Faking the relationship will come with its challenges though as not only they have to convince Andrew's family but a sceptical immigration clerk as well. It is clichéd and predictable, but the cast is delightful and the film is so much fun.
While You Were Sleeping (1995) - Review
Sandra Bullock stars as Lucy, a Chicago Transit Authority token collector who has fallen in love with one of the commuters, Peter (Peter Gallagher). On Christmas day, Peter is mugged, falls onto the rails and goes into a coma and, at the hospital, when mistaken for his fiancée, Lucy decides to ride with it. It is a very predictable and a little far-fetched film but it still manages to be believable and the characters are just lovely.
We match on Easy A! I saw The Proposal once and don't remember much from it, and I never saw While You Were Sleeping.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very nice and sweet film, and Bullock is just adorable.
DeleteNice choices.
ReplyDeleteI also turn to Easy A often if I'm in the mood for a lighthearted romance. Wonderful rethink of The Scarlet Letter, perfectly cast.
While You Were Sleeping is equally well cast, love Glynis Johns' grandmother!, and while the story stretches credulity thanks to the assured performances of the actors you buy in.
Speaking of stretching credulity The Proposal while amusing takes it a bit too far. I liked it but unlike the others I don't return to it.
This is one of the tropes that's been in use since film began probably which made finding films that worked easy.
Picture Perfect (1997)-Kate Mosley (Jennifer Aniston) toils in a junior position at a big New York advertising agency and despite her competence cannot seem to get ahead. Turns out her boss feels she is too much of a free spirit and tells her he needs to see her commitment to settling down before she moves up in the company. So when she goes to a wedding and has a picture taken with a stranger named Nick (Jay Mohr) she passes him off as her fiancée earning her a promotion. Since he lives in Boston all is well with the deception until he becomes famous by saving a child from a burning building and her boss wants to meet him. On the spot she finds Nick and convinces him to play along but complications ensue. Bright, breezy romcom with a terrific cast.
Come Live with Me (1941)-Viennese immigrant Johnny Jones (a ravishing Hedy Lamarr) is in danger of being deported unless she gets married pronto. The problem is that her wealthy boyfriend, publisher Barton Kendrick (Ian Hunter) is already married and wife Diana (Verree Teasdale) isn’t about to give him a divorce! By chance she meets broke writer Bill Smith (James Stewart) and proposes a marriage of convenience. Instantly smitten Bill goes along but has ideas of his own. Though they seem polar opposites Hedy and Jimmy make a most compatible couple.
Hired Wife (1940)-To avoid a hostile takeover of his cement company CEO Stephen Dexter (Brian Aherne) proposes an in name only marriage to his super-efficient secretary Kendal (Rosalind Russell) so he can transfer his assets to her name. She consents but when the danger is passed and Stephen wants a divorce so he can return to his gold-digging former girlfriend Phyllis (Virginia Bruce) Kendal, who carries a torch for him, pulls all sorts of tricks and ploys to maintain the ruse. Roz was one of the queens of this sort of screwy comedies in the 40’s and she’s a vivacious delight here.
I haven't seen any of your picks but for a moment, a very brief one, I considered going with a Jennifer Aniston movie too. But it was so bad so I forgot about it.
DeleteSo much YES for The Proposal. It might be cliche in every way but Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock are perfect on screen together!
ReplyDeleteFinally someone who shares my love for it!!!
DeleteOooh! I love watching the Proposal! It's one of my all-time favorite romantic comedies!
ReplyDeleteYAY! I'm so happy there's someone to share the love with.
DeleteWe share a pick with The Proposal... there's really not a lot of originality in this subject as that's just a fine film though Easy A and While You Were Sleeping are really good films.
ReplyDeleteIt's not original nor believable but it's fun.
DeleteWhile You were Sleeping and is such a sweet movie that just works. Still my fave Sandra Bullock role. Easy A has real heart too. Can't hear the words pocketful of sunshine without breaking into a big smile.
ReplyDeleteHaha same! Every time I hear the song I see Emma Stone singing it.
DeleteI love all of these choices! WWYS is my favorite :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that :)
DeleteHaven't seen WWYS in a long time, but I remember liking it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad. It is such a sweet and charming movie.
DeleteWhile You Were Sleeping ❤️ and The Proposal ❤️!!!!
ReplyDelete