I’ve discovered a miracle cure. Seriously, a full-on endorphin-producing, alpha wave-making wonder drug. Well, actually, it’s not a drug. It’s also not new. But, it does work wonders and is considerably cheaper than my previous treatment for writer’s block, stress, illness, Real Life or any other noxious states of being: Retail Therapy.
What is this paragon of panaceas? You guessed it. The Inspirational Movie Kiss. Now, this is no ordinary movie kiss. To be Inspirational, the kiss must embody the highest ideals of romance and the fullest depth of emotion. Not only must the actors involved understand the complexities of portraying this emotion, but the technical difficulties inherent in this endeavor and overcome them with finesse. When properly executed by the right players and combined with the right romantic tale, this single scene can transport the viewer, if only for a moment, to a place where badness doesn’t exist. It has the power to Inspire the viewer to forget the problems of their day-to-day life and in my case, it has the power to Inspire me to write, even while in the midst of a curious mix of uncertain, glum elation (three different writing projects).
A quick trip to my local drugstore and a gem of a find in the bargain DVD bin delivered this epiphany in the form of a copy of Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore and Michael Vartan. Such a wonderful, unabashedly romantic movie. I loved it! When Drew stands heartbroken on the pitcher’s mound and suddenly beautiful Michael appears, loping down from the stands toward her like a knight in shining armor and kisses her before all assembled…Wow. That was swoonworthy. Another of my favorites is the kiss at the end of Bridget Jones’s Diary. There’s Renee Zellwegger, as Bridget, standing out in the snowy street in sweater, underwear and running shoes, thinking all is lost and Colin Firth, as Mark Darcy, finally plants one on her as he wraps his coat around her and utters that last line that lets us know that not only have they found love, but that the previously uptight, proper Mr. Darcy has a teensy bit of a naughty side. Again, wow!
I want to go out and write the book that will make the reader feel the same way. I’m going to build a library of movies with powerful, Inspirational kisses like these and look at them whenever I falter. (Gotta love the “Scene Selection” feature on DVD’s!) I want more. Which great movie kisses am I missing? What movie kisses do you find Inspirational?
August 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am
The first kiss in “The Quiet Man”.
The kiss in “Practical Magic”.
I love the kiss between Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart in “Philadelphia Story” but she ends up with Cary Grant. LOL.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I love the kiss in the Lakehouse. Hell that whole movie inspired me.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:22 am
I totally agree that the kiss at the end of Never Been Kissed is inspirational. It’s a wonderful feel good moment. Hmmm… I have to think about this one. I mostly watch Action movies, but I know given an hour or two, I’ll remember a few more inspirational movie kisses.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:23 am
You can’t really miss any of the “Gone With the Wind” kisses.
Yeah, I’m a Classics kind of girl.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Sigh. The Lake House. Wow! Loved that one! Definitely, swoonworthy!
Oh, yes! Practical Magic! I loved that one too.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Ooh, I’m with Jennifer. the first kiss in The Quiet Man. And the one in the Notebook when she returns to him. Yum. Great topic.
And the almost kiss between keira knightley and mr.darcy in the rain in pride and prejudice. *swoon*
August 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I’m with Ava. That almost kiss in the new P&P is hot. And then he gives the best I love you scene at the end and she kisses his hand. Oh, geez. Gets me every time! *goes to dig out the DVD*
August 26th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I was going to say the kiss in P & P. That one is great. Are the one’s in Pratical Magic and the Notebook. There’s a great one in Queen Margo between Isabella Ajani (sp?) and Vincent Perez that is very hot and full of emotion. The kiss at the end of 12th Night between Count Orsino and Imogen Suggs’ character. (I think the character’s name is Orino…forgetting my Shakespeare here.) - I also found some books have very inspiring kisses as well. Like the book I’m currently reading. The hero and heroine have finally kissed after she’s spent most of the book thinking she’s in love with someone else. I kept rereading the scene of their kiss over and over. It was a very satisfying literary moment.
-Kat
August 27th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Okay, the movie itself was eh-eh, but the kiss scene in The Big Easy between Dennis Quaid and Ellen (Barkin??) always curls my toes!! WOW!