The most memorable zesty on-screen couples
August 30th 2007 08:25
I’m going to take Dusk’s idea of doing a follow-up post to my previous one, Dodgy Film Chemistry. Thanks, Dusk.
I’ve come up with a few films where I think the love magnetism is apt and spicily believable. Some are well-known, some are more obscure and some are just plain soppy. They are all ones where I feel the chemistry works and is captivating (even the tacky ones). It seems that relationships occur even in the most unexpected films such as The Crying Game (I keep meaning to review that film but haven’t got around to it yet).
Funnily enough I found it harder to think of couples that worked on screen than couples than got on my nerves. I must just be the moaning type.
Anywho, here’s a few:
Edward Scissorhands (1990) – I love this almost fairytale film by Burton. The relationship between Edward and Kim is gentle and enchanting.
The Princess Bride (1987) - A classic tale of love and adventure as the beautiful Buttercup is kidnapped and held against her will in order to marry the odious Prince Humperdinck.
A Room with a View (1985) - A sublime tale of emerging love between Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter ) and George Emerson (Julian Sands).
There's Something About Mary (1998) – Who will ever forget the hair scene? They must’ve really loved each other to get past that episode.
The Crying Game (1992) – A brave film that explores themes of race, gender, nationality, and sexuality in Ireland with an almost unconventional love theme.
Groundhog Day (1993) – An enduring love between Rita (Andie MacDowell) and Phil Connors (Bill Murray).
Pulp Fiction (1994) – The unorthodox, yet mutually satisfying relationship between Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny is mesmerising as well as disturbing. (Amanda Plummer).
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - Bueller and his girlfriend Sloane Peterson. He was the type of boyfriend I would have loved to have had in school but I wasn’t rebellious enough.
And lastly....I know it’s not a film, but I think a series relationship can also count, so I’m going to say Ross and Rachel in Friends. I did warn you that there could be some tackiness on this list...
So can you think of any? They can be as lusty, mushy, and tacky as you like....
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
In the world of sizzlin, believable onscreen couples I will nominate-
Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in Adams Rib
John Cusack and Ione Skye in Say Anything
Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette in True Romance
George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight
Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde
Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange in The Postman Always Rings Twice
Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort in Harold and Maude
Harrison Ford and Karen Allen in Raiders of the Lost Ark
Comment by katyzzz
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A room with a view [or two].
At least you've got some of me here.
katyzzz
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Mike Crowl
Webitz
Work Report
What about the strange relationship in Forrest Gump? I think that had huge undertones.
And of course when people start mentioning older films we have to remember the Clark Gable movies and the Cary Grant movies and the list would go on and on. These guys - and the gals that starred with them - seemed to have a natural ability to produce on-screen chemistry.
Comment by Aimzster
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Comment by D. Armenta
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Ditto Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in "Dirty Dancing", cheesy as that sounds....
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Some great choices in there. I totally agree with Edward Scissorhands and the Princess Bride (one of my favourite movies!). As for Ferris Bueller, I did really like the Ferris and his girlfriend. But I'd also include Jennifer Grey and Charlie Sheen....not that they were a couple in the movie. But did have great chemistry in the police station!
I'd also agree with JD that George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez were sizzling in Out of Sight.
I also actually really liked Angelina and Brad in Mr & Mrs Smith. Oh, and Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed.
I also loved Han Solo and Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies!!
On the small screen, one of my all time favourite couples were Buffy and Spike. Also Cybill Sheppard and Bruce Willis in Moonlighting!
I was never a Rachel and Ross fan though I did like Monica and Chandler.
Kylie
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair. They were H.O.T!
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
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Charles from the "Thin Man" series. The sexually charged banter and smart dialogue is hard to beat.
Mis
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Thankyou for mentioning 'Princess Bride'....One of my all time faves. The ease of those two together....Such a natural intimacy.....And how utterly deliciously edible is Cary as a sweet young thing!
I love how at the start of 'Mr and Mrs Smith' (You know I HAD to mention Ange...) they are so standoffish with each other.....That ballroom scene, where she says
"That would be a real shame, because they'd probably ask me to leave once your dead"
And the cheeky look she gives him.....You just KNOW they're getting it on by that time! From then on in the chemistry is flawless!
Sorry to do this to you all....Best on screen chemistry EVER? Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor - My fave, 'Taming Of the Shrew' Magic.
Meg Ryan and Billy did well too.
Comment by Lilla
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Many of my favs. above : Groundhog Day (one of the best ever), Princess Bride (Timeless) ...and did I catch flashes of it there between Captain Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth aboard the Pearl, and other places?
I have to agree with Kleo (and the others) on the chemistry of Mr and Mrs Smith very much, being married now for 16 years, how could I not. I thought there was some 'sparkle' in Tomb Raider II, too...?
I love some of these classics that are mentioned … in a way, '..they don’t sizzle like they used to..' - is a very a valid point and I thought Richard Burton and Liz were hot, not to mention Clarke Gable.
I thought the screen bristled with static in Proof of Life ... and again was there something there in the first Bourne movie?
I enjoyed the balance of yin and yang in Anna & the King and also play of science and religion in Contact.
There are so many more, but my mind has gone blank - I’ve got to go grocery shopping AGAIN. *wail, cringe*
Have to agree with you Louie ...
Great Post Tracy,
Lilla …
Comment by Cibbuano
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Although, Brosnan is a bit of a wet noodle, sitting there all smug. It's Russo who lights that movie on fire.
Comment by Chic Critique
Hot wild lesbian action!
Pierce and Rene were very steamy.
Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn were gorgeous.
Bogey and Bacall were feisty.
I agree with KylieW - Buffy and Spike sizzled.
All time favourite?
Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey in Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. Both hot and sweet.
Cooooool post!!
Cheers
CC
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Agree with Kylie, "Mr & Mrs Smith"; and JD re. Tracy and Hepburn, and Bogart and Bacall.
I kinda like the *touch and go* between Will and Elizabeth in "Pirates of the Caribbean".
Great post, Tracy
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
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My daughter krystina LOVES Edwards Sciscorhands. When she was about maybe five. We went to the movie store. She wanted me to rent it but i wouldn't because she had me rent that movie almost EVERYTIME we went. We get out to the car, i go to pick her up out of the cart and theres the movie under her legs. lol Funny though, it was just the display box. <grins> I took her back in and made her give it back.
She LOVED that movie and still does.
Tammy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your all your great comments, I'll be replying soon. Things are a bit hectic.
Byee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
You named a couple I hadn’t heard of:
Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in Adams Rib
John Cusack and Ione Skye in Say AnythingGeorge Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight
And yes, there certainly was spice in the other films you mentioned, in particular Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette in True Romance, that is a great film.
Thanks for your comments,
Tracy
PS I have to admit I haven’t seen many of the any of the classics with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Shame on me!!
Hi katyzzz
Glad there were a few in there that resonated for you,
Thanks for dropping in,
Tracy
Hi Mike
It seems like Princess Bride is a favourite with many people. Yes, I hadn’t thought of Forrest Gump, mostly because of all the hype surrounding it, but there were interesting undertones in their relationship.
Oh yes, the classics....I haven’t seen that many, but Clark Gable and Cary Grant certainly were sizzlers with their leading ladies.
Bye and thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Hi Aimster
It seems that Princess Bride and the classics are definitely favourites with people. I think the classics were good at creating screen sizzle subtly without the need to be blatant as many modern films are.
Bye and thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Oh yes, Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia had fantastic chemistry in The Addams Family, I
definitely agree. I nearly added Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing too...yes it was cheesy but they were definitely sizzling with passion, no doubt about it!
Byeee
Hi Cib
I hadn’t heard of In the Realm of the Senses, so I looked it up and it certainly sounds hot.
Tracy
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
Michael Douglas and Kathlen Turner in Romancing The Stone...
William Hurt and Kathleen Turner in Body Heat!
Mickey Rourke and Kim Bassinger in 9 1/2 Weeks!
Anymore questions?
LOL
Great post!
take care,
Nick
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Nick
You named some scorchers!!! Yeppie, they are definitely hot on-screen couples,
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Kylie
Thanks for all your comments. It’s amazing how popular The Princess Bride is! This is an interesting observation, I would never have thought of it:
But I'd also include Jennifer Grey and Charlie Sheen....not that they were a couple in the movie. But did have great chemistry in the police station!
I was wondering about Angelina and Brad in Mr & Mrs Smith after I wrote the post when I saw the DVD in a shop...good to hear what you thought.
That’s another good one, Solo and Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies, they definitely worked well.
Oh and I loved Cybill Sheppard and Bruce Willis in Moonlighting too.
I also like Monica and Chandler, maybe more than Ross and Rachel now that I think about it....
I haven’t seen Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair. Sounds like you loved it!
Byeeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I love your description:
Gave me a good laugh....
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Kleo
That’s a great way to describe Groundhog Day: palpable, I like that.
Yes, I loved Ferris and wished I’d had a boyfriend as rebellious but as adorable as him when I was at school. He certainly got away with a lot didn’t he? He had such an innocent yet pesky way about him...
My curiosity has been piqued by you and Kylie saying how good Mr and Mrs Smith is....
And yes, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor...they were a perfect blend of sizzling lust with intimacy....
Thanks for your comments,
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I had never heard of that series so I looked it up, the tagline is great:
I’m curious to see an excerpt, might see if there’s one on YouTube,
Byeee and thanks for your comment,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think that scene in Something About Mary will stay with me forever...
I love the story about Krystina and Edward Scissorhands...so how many times do you think you’ve seen it? I know I’ve seen it quite a few times but I doubt it would be as many as you or Krystina!
Byee
Comment by Miswanderlust
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Here is a link Thin Man
Enjoy!
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Good to see you, glad you like the topic. Sorry about my delayed response.
Ah yes, I also thought of Pirates of the Caribbean....good thinking, Batman.
Yes, Burton and Liz were hot stuff and also Clarke Gable, definitely true.
I haven’t seen Proof of Life or any of the Bourne films, so I can’t comment there (what a pity as I like adding my opinion). I also haven’t seen Contact or Anna and the King, I really like the way you described them:
I enjoyed the balance of yin and yang in Anna & the King and also play of science and religion in Contact.
know what you mean about knowing there are more but not being able to remember them! I thought of another before and I have no idea now what it is.
Hope your grocery shopping wasn’t too much of a chore and you bought some goodies,
Thanks for all your comments,
Trace
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi CC
Sorry about my belated response, thanks for your comments as always.
Henry and June is one of those films I’ve aimed to see but haven’t yet, sounds like it’s saucy stuff! I also haven’t seen that version of Romeo and Juliet; I just had a quick look at it and even the picture looks like they blend well together.
Great ideas, thanks
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Your blog tag always makes me smile.
Yes, I agree about Pirates of the Caribbean, there definitely is chemistry there which is back and forth like you said.
Good to see you,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for that link, I can definitely see what you mean. Their eyes and body language said a lot and it's very quirky.
Byee
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thank-you for your lovely compliments.
Yes, I know what you mean about thinking of couples from programs rather than films...we've mentioned a few though, no strict rules here!!
Byeee
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I'm sorry I haven't been around...I'm sorry for myself mostly!...I have aso many Movies and Life and Filmpeek new post notifications in my email inbox!...it will take me forever to catch up so forgive me when I do my usual thing of reading and voting without commenting...
Of course I had to comment on this post because i love the post topic!
...I will have to come back but the first couple that springs to mind for me is...Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in 'Somethings Got to Give'.
They were sooooo sexy together!
George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones in 'Intolerable Cruelty'.
Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta Jones in that excuse for a ratpack party film 'Oceans
bottomTwelve'.Daniel Day Lewis and Madeline Stowe in 'The Last of the Mohicans'...ouch...
...oh God...mental block...will have to come back...
Hope you are well T...Happy Spring!
Dusk
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Glad it makes u
Another couple that comes to mind, Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in "Roman Holiday" -- drizzling with romance...
Ahhh yes, Dusk -- Jack and Diane in "Something's Got to Give" -- quite sexy indeed...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
No, I don't think it's goofy, I think it's quirky and original, I love it
Ah yes, I agree...Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday -- drizzling with romance' is an apt description...
Thanks for popping in again,
Tracy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
not sexy...but memorable.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Your choices made me giggle. Yes, they are definitely memorable...and funny. And they did have a chemistry, not sexual but they worked well together and oozed humour.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Kathleen turner and Michael douglass! How could I forget! Those two ROCKED in all three movies they did together - they were UNSTOPPABLE MAN!! I wanted more, MORE!
I think the reason 'Mr and Mrs Smith' resonates is because the start of the movie emphasizes that they have lost the spark in their marriage. They seem comfortable with each other, yet like strangers. The longer the movie goes the closer they seem to become - until its like WHAM you can just SEE the evidence of intimacy! By that ballroom scene theyre doing it, you can tell. They just sizzle.
I love the final scenes - "See you in your next life Jane."
"Likewise John"
And the very end where she says....."Theres nowhere Id rather be than right here with you" the emotion is evident in her face. And the final battle....Whoa! You cant fake closeness like that!
Theres a cute little scene every wife gets.....Where they are trying to be careful and quiet and brad knocks over a barrier. He manages to lay it down without making a sound and does a little victory dance. The indulgent giggle and look she gives him is given by every adoring wife everyday! That look that says - "Ah, Men!"
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Dusk
Happy Spring to you too, although it’s not looking that Springy here at the moment. But I do love this atmospheric rain.
I agree, Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in 'Something’s got to Give' did sizzle. I liked that film.
I haven’t seen the other ones you mentioned, but I do love Daniel Day Lewis.
Thanks for popping in, always good to see you,
Trace
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
HI Kleo
Thanks for all that insight into Mr and Mrs Smith, so many people have mentioned it that I’m curious now. It sounds like you’ve seen it a few times and really love it.
Good to see you as always,
Tracy