Thursday 12 February 2015

Top 10 Original Romantic Gestures

Step up and make an effort! 

In wake of my last top ten, plus my last two reviews of Angel-A and Blue Is the Warmest Colour, I'm staying one final time on the theme of love. Which is fitting, considering that Valentine's Day is just around the corner (along with that florist that you should get down to immediately!).

However, if you're still struggling with discovering a present with that unique appeal, maybe I can help inspire your gift choices with a list celebrating the more daring of chancers in the game-of-amour, with the Top 10 most original romantic gestures in movies.

The criteria:
  • The ranking within this list will be determined on both the effort and, most of all, the originality of the event.
  • The genre of the film has no impact. Love story or not, it's the gesture contained in the movie that counts.
  • There will be no "murdering for love". Yes, there is effort in this act but it is so unoriginal and far too common.
  • There has to be some "lack of shame" at play. Some purposeful detriment to yourself is beneficial but not paramount, however the opposite angle of a detriment to many will be vetoed. For example, like when Clark gives up his power for Lois in Superman II with little regard for the impact this has on mankind. Or even Neo, choosing to save Trinity over the remainder of the human race in The Matrix Reloaded. Shame on you, you over-romantic demi-gods you!

Right, with that settled, let's see who's top of the sops...

WARNING! Major spoilers and incredibly romantic acts lie ahead!



10. Jello house - Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (2009)

Flint Lockwood impresses Sam with a mansion-sized mould of jelly to lark about in, leading to a mutual connection through science between them. As they gaze at the sunset, Flint takes it a step further, expressing how beautiful Sam is when she's her true self, donning her specs and ponytail.

Smooth-o-meter: 3/10
You had me at...Jello



9. Getting the photo - Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) 

Rachel hates the topless photo of herself in the toilets of a nearby bar. Peter, in an act of chivalry and recompense, obtains the evidence of her raucous flash, even with the knowledge that he'll take a downright beating from the barman. Her delivers the trophy, battered and bruised, in a true triumph of the underdog!

Smooth-o-meter: 4/10
Heart broken...face broken more like!



8. A joke-a-day - Rocky (1976)

At heart, this is a love story. A romantic at heart, Rocky Balboa is so infatuated by local pet-shop worker, Adrian, that he makes up a new joke to tell her every single day. Even though his jokes are sometimes a little weak, he persists, showing both effort and uniqueness on a daily basis.

Smooth-o-meter: 5/10
Fighting south guffaw



7. Buying the piano - Once (2006)

When a fellow appreciation of the arts clouds feelings between two people, sometimes a personal gift will do the trick. Leaving Dublin for London, and knowing their relationship will always purely be through music, Glen's "guy" farewell gift to Markéta's "girl" is one thing she can't afford but desires the most...a piano to play on forever. 

Smooth-o-meter: 5/10
Tickled ivories



6. Have a library! - Beauty And The Beast (1991)

And when the gap between the pair is even greater, thanks to a difference in species, you have to give a present of absolute grandeur. And nothing says "I love you" more than...a library! The beast gifts Belle his prize possession, a lifetime of literature, to the woman who stole his heart.

Smooth-o-meter: 6/10
Dewi you love me?



5. A field of daffodils - Big Fish (2003)

Young Ed Bloom extends his love to Sandra with flowers...thousands of them! Enough for five states apparently. This takes some serious planning to handle such a large volume of bloom for Bloom and is visually impressive too. No half measures there Ed!

Smooth-o-meter: 7/10
Blooming romantic



4. His favourite treat - Juno (2007)

One of the cutest gestures on the list, I'm always moved when Juno takes it a step further once the baby is born. The "lawn living room" was one thing, but filling Bleeker's mailbox with the only other thing he adores, Orange Tic-Tacs is truly original and highly bespoke! 

Smooth-o-meter: 8/10
Sweet love letters



3. Come and find me - Amélie (2001)

With a story that's all about generosity through actions, how could Amélie top her efforts so far so she can win the heart of Nino? Cleverly, through trying to unite him to his lost photo album, she incorporates this act into a treasure-hunt style, wild goose chase across Paris, eventually leading to her and her adoration for him.

Smooth-o-meter: 8/10
A literal route to her heart


2. "I've bought you flours" - Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Nearly taking the top spot, this could be the most unique gesture of them all. When Harold Crick realises he has feelings for baker-businesswoman, Ana, he surprises her, not with a bunch of flowers, but the gift of "flours". It's funny, personal and as naturally romantic as anyone can ever get. A hard one to top.     

Smooth-o-meter: 9/10
Say it with flours





And the winner is...







1. The whole film - Cypher (2002)

An obscure choice, I know. And if it didn't exist, Stranger Than Fiction would clearly get the top slot. This is a major spoiler so, if you want to brave it, let me run this down for you.

Vincenzo Natali's Cypher is, like his other films, another unique tale with twists and thrills within it's exclusive shell. Morgan Sullivan (Jeremy Northam) is bedazzled by the intriguing life of being a corporate spy. Agreeing to the espionage, he gets pulled into a corporate data war between two huge conglomerates, becoming a double agent, or maybe even a triple one.

During his heady experience between the companies, he's also wowed by Rita Foster (Lucy Liu) who, working for a mysterious man called Sebastian Rooks, is guiding him to what appears to be some form of emancipation and righteousness. She reappears at crucial moments through his secretive actions, luring him to behave against the task beset him.

Everyone, including Morgan, fears Sebastian Rooks; a shadow, who appears to be manipulating every major player to his own will. Its only at the finale that the enigma himself is revealed...Morgan is Sebastian Rooks. Duh-duh-daaah!! A memory transplant, meticulous planning, along with key instructions to Rita, have led him down this monstrously, labyrinthine path to the heart of these corporations. 

Yet, his motive is unclear. In a key moment earlier on, at Sunway System's vault, is where we find a MacGuffin of true romance. Rooks is a ghost to the world. No ID, no trace. Completely under the radar. His employee, Rita, is more than just his colleague. She is also his lover. This elaborately over-the-top plan was to retrieve all information on Rita from Sunway Systems' vault leaving little evidence in his wake. He obtains her entire identity and history and, when sunning on a yacht, they throw it into the deep blue. His risky, lethal and near disastrous methods, while completely oblivious to the plan, were just to ensure that Rita can enjoy tranquillity through anonymity. A lifestyle that he wants to share with her forever.


Totally unique and a ridiculously amount of effort. Aww, isn't he sweet! Nice one Sebastian!    
Smooth-o-meter: 10/10
You really know me...well, someone has to!


Just missed out:

Becoming a different species (Avatar, 2009)
Arwen chooses mortality (The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, 2003)
Penny goes back for Dodge (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, 2012)
Climbing the ferris wheel (The Notebook, 2004)
Forfeiting the throne (Coming To America, 1988)
Giving up being Iron Man (Iron Man 3, 2013)



If you disagree, and have other suggestions, please post comments at the bottom of the post. Or, email me directly on topten@filmbore.co.uk.

And don't forget, you can tweet me @filmbore or post on my Facebook page here.