My favourite love stories
Ill-fated or rekindling old feelings?
When a person thinks about the concept of love and loving somebody, we always imagine something from the movies — love at first sight, getting to know somebody and sailing off into the sunset. In life, this is often not how things happen, and we never really see these struggles in Hollywood, but then again we sometimes do. I thought, what are some of the best love stories in the medium? I have divided them into four categories to show the different types of situations that can occur in film and television, and why they are so important to witness.
Doomed from the Start
I believe, like many people, that love is often depicted as non-complicated, and something which will work with time. However, sometimes our heroes are not afforded this. Whether it is a death to either party or both, or choosing a passion or hobby which leaves you alone, these can often be the most traumatising yet beautiful forms of affection.
The first couple that comes to mind is from Star Wars Rebels. The fact that these were completely new characters in a prequel show is already worrying off the bat, but as we have seen, they can sometimes survive and feature in future. Unfortunately, this was not the case for Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarus.
Fighting alongside each other for years during the rebellion, both held strong feelings for each other, although it was never out in public and able to be put first by either of them during their struggles. The fact they had a child together, but Kanan had to sacrifice himself to save his love, made it all the more heartbreaking.
The same could be said for John Blackthorne and Mariko. Shogun’s two main characters, one a foreigner in a strange land and another a royally-appointed translator, were always forbidden, due to Mariko’s marriage to a high ranking army official, but this was never a true union. John always made it clear that he loved Mariko, and again seeing her die in front of him and not having time to grieve effectively, is truly sad.
As stated above, it can be that the two titular heroes decide they cannot continue with the relationship due to having differing dreams. This label can be put to Sebastian and Mia in 2016’s La La Land, a tale of two people who were together at the wrong place and the wrong time. They were perfect, but both put their goals before their love lives.
Starting again
In many cases, ill-fated lovers can never find each other again. But, sometimes external factors can push our heroes back together, and give them a second chance to start anew. It is hard to make this natural in film, as it is usually down to supernatural/unrealistic methods.
Joel and Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are my first pick. Having already split up and went through a horrible break up, Clementine decides to wipe her memories of Joel, and Joel of Clementine. Relieving their memories, they realise the love they have is still there, and upon going back through their time together, look to try again. It may not work out down the line, but at least they know what went wrong the first time and can look to address this going forward.
My second pick is from Everything Everywhere All at Once, revolving around the protagonist Evelyn and Waymond, her husband. At the start of the film, the couple seem to be heading to divorce, with Waymond feeling unwanted and Evelyn resenting his lack of support in their business. Through the hijinx of alternate dimensions, we see Evelyn realise that Waymond helps in ways that go unseen, and therefore by the end of the movie they are brought back together and now more in love than ever. I think it is a great illustration of how taking a step back and looking deeper into a person’s actions can help a long way.
Embracing who you are
Sometimes in a relationship, you may be asked to sacrifice or change something in order for it to work. This is fine, in moderation, but you should never give up too much of yourself or act like somebody you're not, because not only does it lead to issues down the line, but it also means you are not authentic to yourself. Therefore, relationships where both participants love and appreciate the other for all their traits are truly the most harmonious.
The best relationship in Friends is between Monica and Chandler, which is crazy because it wasn't planned like Ross and Rachel. Monica is a neatfreak and used to be overweight and therefore never thought she would find happiness with somebody, and Chandler is a hopeless romantic, who sabotages his previous relationships and struggles to deal with his emotions. However, both accept the other for who they are. Chandler is very attentive to Monica's organisation of things and even tries to replicate it for her, and Monica consistently reassures Chandler that everything is going well. As a person who suffers from being a little OCD and needs reassurance constantly, it is nice to see that it can be displayed in media.
My other example is from Parks and Recreation, a gem of a show. Andy is a bit of an imbecile but he is kind and funny, whereas April is usually quite cold and standoffish and uses dark humour persistently. Andy’s first relationship with Ann sees Ann trying to change Andy into being more serious and taking his professional life more seriously, something which Andy struggles with. April comes along and she embraces his weird, childish brain and likewise Andy loves her despite her trying to outcast herself. They work well together because they are rather opposite, like peanut butter and jelly or a cat versus a golden retriever.
Will they/won’t they?
My final section will be the classic will they, won’t they. This relates to an ongoing back and forth between the two characters, with it seeming they are destined to be together but it never quite works out, until it does. Many would choose the classic relationship from Friends of Ross and Rachel, however I don’t think they are a great couple, as Ross is extremely jealous and insecure and Rachel is bratty and selfish.
My first couple is Jim and Pam from the Office, the other most beloved couple in TV. From the getgo, we can see their undeniable chemistry and feelings for each other, even though Pam is engaged. Between Pam and her upcoming wedding, and Jim dating Karen, it never seems like it’ll work out between the pair. However, season 4 is where we finally get to see them together, and they are great, of course! Despite the writers creating unnecessary drama towards the close of the show between the two, they truly remain the perfect twosome.
Finally, and most likely my most beloved couple, is Fry and Leela from Futurama. Fry, a person from a 1000 years ago, and Leela, an orphaned Cyclops, do seem an odd choice to be together, but it works so well. Throughout the seasons, we see so many of Fry’s romantic gestures, such as switching oxygen tanks during the candy hearts mission and learning to play the Holophonor. Whilst they do fight, and they do break-up sometimes, the ending of Futurama (the real ending, I don’t count the new season), which sees Fry and Leela freeze time accidentally and live out their entire lives together, is so sweet. They are then offered the chance to start all over, losing their memories. Fry and Leela decide it is worth it to be with each other for another lifetime, and it is truly a beautiful message.
