Five On Friday: Romantic Gestures

It seems that the theme for each 'Five On Friday' relates to a film that I've seen this week. So, in honour of 'Lars and the Real Girl', I present the five most romantic gestures.

This list isn't about kisses or sex (Although I hardly ever think that a sex scene is romantic. Sexy, but not romantic) as these are too numerous to be wasted on this list. They'll be saved for other Fridays.

Instead, this is a list of romantic gestures. Only one actually has the two people involved touching each other. It's about showing love through other means.

Also, HERE BE SPOILERS! Don't say I didn't warn you.

Lars and the Real Girl



Whilst there is a wonderful part with Lars giving a teddy bear mouth-to-mouth (It makes more sense in the film), the moment that makes it into the list is outside a bowling alley.

Lars has been going to the doctor throughout the film, because he has problems letting people touch him. He says that it hurts him, a burning feeling, like when you go into the cold and your feet go numb, then when you come back into the warm. In fact, exactly like that.

So when he goes on a pseudo-date with his work colleague, you can just see how much he wants to touch her. He watches as the other guys high-five her when she gets a strike, and he's jealous.

So, outside afterwards, they say their goodbyes. Lars holds out his hand, to shake hers. She touches it. He doesn't flinch. He waits a moment, before grasping her hand properly. Two hands, holding, for a few moments, before the girl pulls away.

So much more romantic than a kiss. And very, very sweet.

Love Actually



Whilst most of this film is sentimental rubbish, it does contain one really sweet moment.

Some guy (names have been forgotten, however I'm told by Emma that it was Andrew Lincoln) has a crush on Keira Knightly. She discovers this when she watches the wedding video he filmed and sees that it is mostly of her.

Anyhow, later she answers a knock on the door, and he is standing there. He silences her, so as not to alert her husband, and proceeds to declare his love for her via signs.

Not only is this incredibly inventive, it is also very sad. Because he doesn't get the girl, she loves her Serenity villain husband, and so the love must go unrequited.

Skins



As much as I loved the first series of 'Skins', the second season was a major disappointment. Full of inconsistent characters and lame plot devices. However, it had its moments and one of them is this one.

Tony loved Michelle. Tony was hit by a bus. Now, when they try and have sex, Tony isn't quite up to the task. Michelle tells him that she needs more time. He gives her a gift.

The box sits unopened for the entire episode until Michelle remembers in the final moments. Inside is a beautiful watch and a note. "You said you needed more time".

She then goes and sleeps with Tony's best friend, so I guess not all romantic gestures work out. Still sweet though.

A Walk To Remember



It is really a shame that most of these moments come from films that I don't really care about. Here is a film that my sister showed me, claiming that I'd love it. I didn't. In fact, I predicted most of the plot points about fifteen minutes before they happened.

One moment worked though. Basically, Mandy Moore is dying of cancer. She has a list of things she wants to do before she dies. One is "Be in two places at once", which, can I just say, seems a bit ridiculous to put on the list. How was she expecting to solve it?

Anyway, her boyfriend takes her out to a road and a line runs across it. It is the state line. If she stands over it, she'll be in two states. Two places at once. Get it?

Well, she does. They kiss. Romance blossoms. She dies. All. Very. Predictable.

Ten Things I Hate About You



I feel that this romantic gesture is very similar to John Cusack holding up his stereo and playing music to his love, but this wins for two reasons.

First, I haven't seen the 'Say Anything' yet. Second, Heath Ledger died this year so I feel he should be in this list as an honour or something.

There isn't much to be said about the scene. It's Heath Ledger singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" in a stadium. It isn't particularly romantic. In fact, it's rather embarrassing for him, but this is why I think it works. Heath is the cool kid, the one that has a reputation to maintain. The fact that he's singing in public for a girl, well, he must really like that girl.

I'm also sure that if you asked most teenage girls what the most romantic gesture in the movies was, they'd mention this film. Heath just had that power over people.

:D