DVD Weekend…

October 24, 2006 /

I’m slowly renouncing my claim to her, and all that I had hoped for in the world.
~ Jules and Jim.

There’s nothing like a good French film to give you poignant little tidbits like that, huh? But I’m getting ahead of myself. Friday, after going to Stockton to see my Grandma, and after the presentation I had to give on Thursday (which was really no big deal, but that didn’t stop me from getting very tense about it), I was ready to relax on the sofa and watch a good romantic comedy. Something frothy and light and sweet. Unfortunately, we watched “Must Love Dogs” instead. This film can best be described as plodding and dull. I really like John Cusack and Diane Lane, but the writing truly sucked, and it seemed as though the actors had phoned in their parts. Blech.

Not one to be deterred, on Saturday, after our Diwali celebration, we watched “The Break Up“. It was perhaps better made than “Must Love Dogs”, but maybe not. It was truly dumb and unpleasant. I’m not sure why the hell anyone would be interested in watching the cruelty involved in a bitter breakup, but someone obviously thought this would be a good idea. I mean, it worked pretty well in “The War of the Roses“, but here, it just fell flat, and had us hoping it would end soon. I was kind of dreading a pat Hollywood ending, and yet, when it didn’t come, I was a little disappointed. I’m guessing they filmed it both ways, and tested it on folks.

Sunday night, I watched “Jules and Jim“, a French film made in 1961. It takes place before, during, and after the first World War, and is about the relationship between Jules, Jim, and Catherine. Jules is Austrian, Jim and Catherine are French, and they have quite the tortured little love triangle going. At first, it was a bit awkward, being paced and filmed differently from modern American films (it’s 45 years old, after all, plus the cultural differences). As time went by, I was able to get past all of that, and the poignancy and heart of the film won me over. 

There was something about this film that reminded me of a lyric:

To tell the truth, it wasn’t bad
we had to have a reason
and lack of love wasn’t it
We both know we had a past
the present must contain
a future where both of us can fit
~Til Tuesday, Rip in Heaven. Download here.

I think it was because in the beginning of the film, it was almost a comedy, full of fun and laughter, and then along came the war, and after it was over, they all were trying so hard to get back to that time of fun and freedom, back to the past which was somehow contained in the present….but they couldn’t get back to that happier time.

I’ll admit, I was really relieved to see something worthwhile after the other two turkeys. A warning, though…the ending? Very French.

Oh, yeah, I meant to ask…next time I’m looking for a light, romantic comedy to cheer me up, does anyone have any suggestions?  Not Sleepless in Seattle or When Harry Met Sally, please, I’ve seen those about  a million times each, and that’s enough. ;)  Our Netflix Queue is getting pretty darned short, and we’ve gotta beef it up.  So, any ideas would be much appreciated.


24 Comments

  • Ml

    October 24, 2006 at 6:52 am

    J, thanks for the reviews. I’ll be sure and stay away from the first two. I don’t have any recommendations, except stay from, no RUN AWAY from the movie The Stupids.

  • Beenzzz

    October 24, 2006 at 7:28 am

    I can’t really think of a good romantic comedy. The last one I saw was Wedding Crashers. It was ok…..but not super or anything. I’ll have to think about it. 🙂

  • Erin

    October 24, 2006 at 7:29 am

    Recommendations: An Ideal Husband
    Keeping the Faith
    Both excellent films and semi-romantic. An Ideal Husband takes place during Victorian England. Keeping the Faith involves a priest and a rabbi. Yes, its a romance/love triangle!

    Hope you like them.

  • Py Korry

    October 24, 2006 at 7:30 am

    Yeah, those first two movies blew! Jules and Jim was quite good, but I thought the character of Catherine was really selfish.

    But the use of freeze frame, titles, and odd camera angles was pretty interesting because there are a number of filmmakers who use these techniques today. But, it seems some film critics have forgotten their film history, because they don’t give proper credit to Francois Truffaut, or any others who used those techniques in the early 60s.

  • Heather

    October 24, 2006 at 8:14 am

    I was really in the mood for a good movie this weekend too, and was going to rent one for just me, but the girls whined and said “but you were going to watch a movie with US”, and so I got stuck watching Madagascar. Next time, it’s all about ME! But I’ll keep your reviews in mind. 🙂

  • Gina

    October 24, 2006 at 8:15 am

    While not exactly a romantic comedy (well, sorta) I would recommend The Devil Wears Prada. Cute, fluffy, just the right dose for a lazy night.

    There’s gotta be others, my brain is running on low right now.

  • Eternal Lotus

    October 24, 2006 at 8:24 am

    Okay, I know ths is cheesy but the minute you said fluffy anf light, I thoght of French Kiss. Kevin Kline was such a great foil for the sweetness of Meg Ryan, the french countryside scenes are so pretty, the music is sometimes fast paced and fun, sometimes sweet and romantic. I often have this playing while I’m cooking on the weekends, especially for Thanksgiving cooking (I’ve seen it so much I can pay attention intermittently and know what’s going on).

    Another one my favorites is Defending Your Life with Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks. It’s about the afterlife but full of cute ideas and jokes. It reminds you to be good and fearless in this life (it affects the quality of hotel you’ll have in Limbo).

    Another one I’m fond of is Joe Versus the Volcano. Yeah, I know, another Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movie. I think it was illegal back in the 80’s to make a romantic comedy without one of these two.

    Enjoy.

  • Dot

    October 24, 2006 at 8:30 am

    French Kiss is one of my favorites. I liked the new Pride & Prejudice also. You’ve Got Mail?? I can’t think of anything recent that really touched me, I always resort to an oldy but a goody when I need cheering up.

  • Mom101

    October 24, 2006 at 9:35 am

    Well at least you hit 1 good film. Ugh on the other two. Double ugh.

    I really loved Friends with Money if you haven’t seen it. And 13 going on 30 (I swear!) is really fun and easy–and I usually don’t like those kinds of films. But mostly, I think American romantic comedies are in the crapper these days. Stick with France.

  • J

    October 24, 2006 at 9:58 am

    Thanks everyone. 🙂

    So far I’ve seen all of the suggested films, except An Ideal Husband and Keeping the Faith. I remember that we saw Defending Your Life in the theater, and Ted kept remembering this one scene in the car on the way home, and laughing like an insane person. I thought we were going to get in an accident. 😉

    I also really liked “Devil Wears Prada”. That was the best of the new ones, I guess.

  • wordgirl

    October 24, 2006 at 10:12 am

    “Truly, Madly, Deeply” was wonderful…though parts are sad.
    I’ll try to think of some others. Less recent ones like “Best Friends” (Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn) come to mind. Also “Foul Play” (Hawn and Chevy Chase)

  • Amy

    October 24, 2006 at 10:13 am

    I loved Almost Famous. And Love, Actually is really good, too. I’m not much of a movie person–I don’t have the attention span for them, so all I ever watch are the short uplifting ones.

  • Jess

    October 24, 2006 at 11:39 am

    Yes, I also enjoyed “Almost Famous.” I usually steer clear of the major Hollywood romantic comedies, but I did like “Friends with Money.” I also liked “Love, Actually.”

    Have you seen all of the Christopher Guest flicks? Not exactly romantic comedies, but funny nonetheless. Gee, I am simply wracking my brain trying to come up with something here…unfortunately, all I’ve seen lately are scary movies. Halloween almost here, so….

  • Cherry

    October 24, 2006 at 2:01 pm

    I 100% agree with you on “Must Love Dogs”. Waste of time!

    I just saw the newish Pride and Prejudice on Friday night and loved it!

    Other then that, South Park DVDs have been pretty much ruling our Netflix queue. We have Proof and A Prairie Home Companion at home right now, I’ll let you know what we think of them whenever we get to them.

  • Melissa

    October 24, 2006 at 3:52 pm

    Hmmm, I saw a different post in bloglines but it isn’t here…..I am very confused now. Oh well. I wasn’t impressed with the Break-up either.

    Ones I did like that we’ve seen recently are, The Family Stone, The one with Matthew McConnehey and Sarah Jessica Parker was hilarious, The Lake House, The Gay coyboy movie….sorry I Haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard it’s good and it’s sitting on my kitchen table right now.

    13 going on 30 is always a favorite of mine, as is How to lose a guy in 10 days.

  • J

    October 24, 2006 at 4:36 pm

    Melissa, I am new to WordPress. I found that if I post date a post, meaning, date it tomorrow, then it waits, and posts tomorrow. Neat o, huh? The problem, which I didn’t realize, is that it shows up on Bloglines TODAY, but people can’t comment until it’s live on the blog. So, no more early posting for me. Shouldn’t have that problem again. 🙂

    I liked Failure to Launch and Family Stone, too. 🙂

  • Black Belt Mama

    October 24, 2006 at 8:41 pm

    I second 13 going on 30. Loved that movie, it was too cute. I also liked Almost Famous and Wedding Crashers although that gets a little crude. Still very funny though. An old favorite of mine is The Witches of Eastwick.

    Thanks for the heads up on those flicks. I was going to rent the break-up but won’t bother now.

  • hellomelissa

    October 25, 2006 at 4:59 am

    i could watch “breakfast at tiffany’s” and “an affair to remember” over and over and over. try “bollywood/ hollywood” for a little extra flavor.

    i’m NOT a big fan of romantic comedies. but have you been watching battlestar galactica? i’m on the edge of my seat.

  • Jenny

    October 30, 2006 at 9:56 am

    I saw the break up this weekend and your right, boring. It was funny but they were NEVER happy. I was SO glad when they broke up.