Image via.
I wrote earlier this month that “sometimes it’s not the grand gesture, the dramatic sprint through the train terminal, the hand pulling you out of harm’s way; sometimes it’s your husband finding your knee beneath the table, and you thinking: little does he know he’s holding the world together right now.”
That said — who doesn’t equally love the boombox over the head, a la John Cusack in “Say Anything”?
What is the most romantic movie scene you’ve ever seen?
When Mr. Magpie was out of town a week or two ago, I re-watched “Out of Africa” and I continue to believe the scene in which Meryl Streep reaches her hand back to hold onto Robert Redford as they soar over Africa takes the cake in this category. It’s a moment of romantic restraint — just a hand squeeze — but there is intense connection, friction, and foreboding just beneath, and the surging soundtrack adds to the sense of crescendo. Earlier in the movie, Streep’s character asks how a pilot they are observing overhead is going to land his plane, and Redford’s character responds (paraphrasing): “That’s the secret — don’t.” And so when they are up in the air together, there is a feeling that things will end badly between them, which they do. But in that moment, they are alone, together, and they understand one another in a way no one else seems able to. There are scenes that are more intimate in the movie, like when he washes her hair (!) or walks into her tent while on safari, or dances with her on the terrace of her home, but it’s the hand squeeze in this scene that does it all!
A close second, perhaps, is the scene where Nicholas Cage sees Cher standing in front of The Metropolitan Opera in “Moonstruck.” The way he looks at her — ! There is no other word for it: he is lovestruck. It’s a quirky movie but their chemistry is powerful. And at the other end of the spectrum (love on full display — less nuance) there are parts in “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” (the 2022 Netflix adaptation) that I will never forget. (Have you seen it? Hot!). And I thought the romantic scenes in the adaptation of Sally Rooney’s “Normal People” were incredible. Difficult to take your eyes off of the actors, and so believable.
What do you think? What are the romantic scenes in cinematic history?
Post-Scripts.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+I didn’t include these in the RWI roundup because they received fewer votes than the other items included, but a few of you were insisting Spanx’s AirEssentials pieces are regrettably worth it. I agree! I love the crewnecks and half-zips but just ordered these joggers in the brown color to try, too. I believe my code SHOOPXSPANX gets you 10% off still.
+Target has a solid look-for-less for the Spanx AirEssentials crewneck here.
+Jenni Kayne released its popular Cooper cardigan in a stripe!
+I keep thinking about this interesting top. Would be such a great way to dress up a pair of trousers for an evening out, or compliment to a dramatic skirt (look for less with this) for holiday wear.
+This capelet in the brown fleece is divine – I own in a different color but love the chocolate hue for this season!
+New (chiiiic) colorway for Nili Lotan Shon cords. If you find the barrel leg on the Shons too dramatic, try Citizen’s slightly more refined Marcelle. Fit TTS.
+You know I love the striped early mornings tee from Ayr (use code WARMUP for 10% off) — now I have my sights set on their cropped version, The Half Day, as well as their balletic scoopneck long sleeves.
+Still obsessed with our vacuum all these years later. Still works like a charm. I am just not a stick vacuum gal – I hated all the charging! This one is so, so powerful and has an easy to use retractable, loooong cord.
+As a puzzle enthusiast (I actually was just thinking excitedly about the ones we pull out around Thanksgiving/Christmas), these puzzle trays are such a cute innovation / gift! As far as actual puzzles go, we love these art-focused ones from Pomegranate and these vintage inspired ones from Cavallini. But how cute are these “holiday themed ones” from Pieceworks as a gifts this season? Like, this one is modeled after a tin of Christmas cookies!
+If you’re thinking ahead to holiday, I thought this red tree topper was unexpected and chic.
+This popular whipstitch trim jacket is on sale (at time of writing this)! More coats along these lines here.
+The first birthday banners from this Etsy shop are SO precious. Great photo opp.
+Cute surprise for your little one.
100000% agree with the Last of the Mohicans-
“I’m looking at you, Miss.”. Dead.
!!!
Two all-time favorite romantic movie scenes are: 1.) Mr. Darcy emerging through the dawn to meet Elizabeth for the “your hands are cold” moment at the film’s end; 2.) Hawkeye telling Cora, “Stay alive! I will find you! Stay alive!” during Last of the Mohicans’ climax. Also recommend the 2022 adaptation of Persuasion… movie has a more comedic approach overall but the ending is extremely heartwarming and romantic.
Ooo love all the “Last of the Mohicans” love here — going to watch this! Haven’t seen before!
And of courseeeee Darcy!!!
xx
OMG you *have* to see The Last of the Mohicans, Jen! The score will absolutely stay with you too. FYI, there are some very violent fight scenes, definitely one of those “watch after the kids are in bed” movies.
P.S. Love your reference to the boombox scene in “Say Anything” — I absolutely love the song “In Your Eyes” and used it as the final song in our wedding reception. I still remember a group of us (kids of the 80s!) in a circle, arms around each other, swaying and singing along, and it’s such a core memory for me.
CANNOT wait. Landon is going out of town in early Dec and I already have this penciled in for viewing…unless I can convince him.
YES! To the boombox scene!
These puzzle trays are brilliant — my parents are impossible to shop for so one of the things I always get them for the holidays is a fun new puzzle because they spend a lot of time doing puzzles in the winter when it’s cold and my mom always complains about losing pieces. Just ordered these to include with this year’s puzzle!
Yes!! I think I’ll do the same for mine!
If you shop directly from Piecework they have a ton of great gifts for holidays or hostesses. Lots of small new-to-me brands. Don’t miss the cocktail napkins!!
Oo thanks!
Totally agree about the hand squeeze–so powerful and so romantic! I also find the scene where Hawkeye takes Cora’s hand in Last of the Mohicans to be incredibly romantic and transporting. (What is it about hands??)
Oh mercy- totally agree with you on Hawkeye and Cora! The scene in the fort where the camera does that long pan from him to her…swoon. The film score is the icing on the cake!
Ugh, Sarah Jane this scene kills me! You mean the one where he is looking for her and you start hearing the opening of the violin piece “The Kiss”, right? 100% on the film score — it’s my favorite rainy day music.
Oh my goodness I was about to add this — The Last of the Mohicans is one of my all-time favorites.
Yes, what is it about the hands?! Romantic and intimate but somehow restrained. xx
Yes I believe it’s 100% the restraint — so the actors’ chemistry really has to jump off the screen to communicate the emotion. Similar to when Almasy and Katharine were dancing at a ball in The English Patient (another fave), and the camera zooms in to their faces — there’s so much unsaid, and the way they hold each other while dancing looks platonic but good lord the electricity is so palpable. Or maybe it’s the way Ralph Fiennes stares so intensely at Kristin Scott Thomas.
I’m now racking my brain for more romantic movie scenes involving just hand-holding.
Agree! Going to be on the lookout for this, too. When you were talking about Ralph Fiennes/KST, I was also reminded of Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews in “Sound of Music.” There is something electric between them in some of those scenes!!
xx