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| Yea...about that... |
The Danish Girl: Gerda Wegener had it all, a chic bohemian lifestyle, a successful career as an artist, and a loving marriage to the man of her dreams. All of that changed, however, when the man of her dreams decided to become a woman. Based upon the biography of transgender pioneer Einer Wegener/Lili Elbe The Danish Girl explores the ways in which one woman's love survived the ultimate test. When one of her models cancels a sitting at the last minute Gerda is relieved to have her husband dress up and pose in the model's place. When the resulting painting becomes a surprise hit, she's thrilled to suddenly have an in demand model at her disposal free of charge. She even goes so far as to use this unusual development to promote her work by having Einer appear at her exhibition dressed as her mysterious model 'Lili' for a publicity stunt. As Lili is called upon to make increasing appearances, however, the line between male and female is blurred as Einer finds himself identifying as his female alter-ego. When Einer reveals his gender identity crisis Gerda is understandably devastated, but refuses to give up on a marriage that most women even today would have considered to be over. Instead, she defies all expectations and remains firmly at her husband's side. When medical experts deem him mentally disturbed she dismisses their diagnoses and continues to advocate for him. As their financial resources dwindle she tirelessly works to secure the funds needed for his treatment. She even resists temptation and remains a faithful wife after the physical aspect of her marriage ends. In short, Gerda repeatedly proves herself to be Einer's greatest confidante, ally, and champion. All of this she does for the sake of a love which, although profoundly changed, remains as strong as ever. Throughout the film, she continually puts her husband's needs above her own as she helps him to pursue a new life, all the while aware that this new life may be one without her. Many films remind us of the importance of putting our own happiness aside for those we love, but rarely has a film shown how agonizingly difficult it can be to do so. This timely and topical story garnered viewers and critics' notice with its unusual premise, but earned their admiration through its poignant portrayal of two truly remarkable women.
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| I can't decide if that sounds romantic or just exhausting |
The Notebook: Can love survive once its been forgotten? That is the question that lies at the heart of this 2004 crowd-pleaser. The deceptively simple tale follows an elderly man as he visits a nursing home patient and reads her the story of two star-crossed lovers in 1940's South Carolina. The man's tale of love lost and found features all of the expected obstacles (family interference, war, and temptation), which are ultimately overcome in a fairy tale worthy conclusion. Despite the young couple's seemingly happy ending, however, it becomes obvious that happily ever isn't the whole story. Early on, the film reveals that the young man in the story, Noah is the elderly man reading the story and that the woman in the story, Ally, is the woman to whom he reads each day. Although their young love was able to withstand every obstacle in its path neither Ally nor Noah can do anything to slow or cure the Alzheimer's Disease from which she is suffering. As a result, Noah,is forced to helplessly watch as the love of his life forgets the life that they built together. Despite the impossibility of its success he carries out a quixotic mission by moving into the nursing home with her and reading the story of their romance to her every day in hopes that she'll become lucid enough to recognize him, even if only for a moment. When their children visit and beg him to return home he dismisses their pleas without hesitation saying, "That's my sweetheart in there. Wherever she is, that's where my home is". For Noah, there is no point in returning to his home or resuming his former life because without Ally both are empty. At first glance the tale of a man watching his wife succumb to Alzheimer's Disease is a depressing reality that is far from the stuff of movie magic. Upon closer observation, however, this story actually personifies what love is all about. Ally and Noah's youthful passion captures all of the exhilaration of young love at its most romantic. Similarly, Noah's quiet devotion, invokes the less glamorous, but ultimately deeper, love that comes from years of shared struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs. These combined narratives weave a compelling emotional tapestry that sets apart what easily could have been just another tale of summer love. For a true love story for the ages take a page from The Notebook.
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| You're never too old for a new adventure |
Up: An animated children's film is probably the last thing that most audiences think of when they hear the word 'romantic'. Yet, within its opening minutes this Pixar hit brings to the screen one of the most achingly poignant love stories ever put to celluloid. The film begins with shy young Carl meeting the tomboy next door, Ellie. While the two could not be more different they form a fast friendship, which blossoms into something more when they grow up. The film then treats viewers to the highlights of the couple's life together with a masterful montage that shows them facing marriage's many triumphs and struggles together. Throughout this series of scenes the film shows the couple planning for their future family and their 'bucket list' trip to the lost land of Paradise Falls. Unfortunately, by the montage's conclusion it is revealed that they were unable to have children and that by the time they were finally able to save for the trip of their dreams Ellie had become ill. When the story begins in the present day she has succumbed to her illness, leaving Carl to pick up the shattered pieces of the life that they had built together. Although Ellie is afforded precious little screen time her presence is felt throughout the film. At the story's start, Carl is hardened by grief and has given up on both the outside world and everyone in it. While his neighborhood is steadily torn down and replaced by new flashy skyscrapers he insists on remaining in his home and keeping everything it exactly the same as when Ellie was alive. After he accidentally injures a construction worker he is deemed a 'public menace' and ordered to move to a retirement home. Rather than relinquish what was his late wife's 'dream house' Carl opts to pursue her childhood fantasy of living on a house at the edge of Paradise Falls. He then uses thousands of balloons (he used to be a balloon salesman) to make the house into an improvised airship, sets off into the sky, and sets his course for Paradise Falls. Along the way, he makes a host of new friends, faces a surprising foe, and finally begins to feel alive again. Even as he starts to move forward with his life, Ellie's memory remains with him provides him with a guiding light as he comes to term with his grief. When all seems lost and he contemplates giving up it is her indomitable example along with her final message urging him to go and have a new adventure that gives him the strength to carry on. Carl and Ellie's story shows that love need not be only till death do us part, because we are never truly parted from those we love as long as we keep their memory within our hearts. Carl's continued devotion to Ellie's memory serves as an apt reminder of the ways that love can continue to influence and transform our lives, even after death. For a love story that is guaranteed to have you looking up, join Carl and Ellie for the adventure of a lifetime in Up.
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