Love Story
Are there a lot of melodramatic romance films on the market today, or have I been smoking some tainted crack? Boy meets girl; boy and girl get it on; boy and girl encounter strain in their relationship and break up to keep the story moving forward; and for some incomprehensible reason, they get back together at the end. All together now, stick your pointer finger down your throat and puke on the count of three. If you must watch a romantic film, at least pick one of the best examples in Hollywood history, Love Story. Almost any other entry in this genre is Story's deformed bastard.
Oliver Barrett is rich, handsome, and Harvard-educated. Jennifer Cavalieri is smart, sassy, but not as wealthy as Oliver. Their initial meeting was humorous; Oliver needed a book from Jenny's smaller college library, and she gives him crap for being wealthy. Somehow, they end up getting coffee together. Sooner or later, a relationship blooms.
Oliver and Jenny's relationship is going relatively smoothly, until she meets Mr. Oliver Barrett III (the film's stereotypical rich snob). Mr. Barrett tries to use his wealth to manipulate Oliver into giving Jenny the heave-ho. Junior responds by marrying Jenny and shutting Pappy out of his life. Together, Jenny and Oliver face and nearly survive almost any conceivable challenge that lovers encounter.
Both Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal were Oscar-nominated for their leading roles, but MacGraw gives the standout performance. Jenny isn't your basic cardboard-cutout supportive-girlfriend character. Probably born out of the feminist movement, Jenny is an assertive female character. She is not afraid of speaking her mind, with hilarious results. She often greets Oliver with such loving terms of endearment as "preppie" or "goddamn hockey jock," but you can feel the love between them. The audience can't help but fall in love with her when Oliver does.
The Oscar-winning musical score is outstanding! The recurring theme is a brilliant piece of instrumental music that will play in your head for days. The soundtrack also features pieces by Bach and Mozart.
I'd say that Love Story is a true-to life film about love. Money and social status are irrelevant to Oliver and Jenny. All they need are each other. The continual problems that they face test their love, and they kick these exams' asses.
Aside from its Academy Award for Best Original Score and nominations for the two leading actors, Love Story was considered for best picture of 1970, best director, and best writing in the Academy Award nominations. Doesn't that sound 10x better than typical Meg Ryan cheese?
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
You might want to drown your sorrows in some beer after the sad ending.
This is one of the most romantic movies of all time. You are almost guaranteed to seal the deal.
Buy this film from Amazon.com
Buy This Photo At AllPosters.com
Buy This Photo At AllPosters.com
Related Articles:
1) Top 20 Date Flicks
2) Say Anything
3) When Harry Met Sally
