A Classic Box Office Romance of the 1930's |
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I'm susceptible to stars in the sky. I'm incurably romantic. Whether it's at the movies, or in real life, I'm a sucker for the romantic thought, word, or deed. I'm a pushover for lies covered with romantic sighs. That's why Valentine's Day, an occasion that celebrates romantic love, is my favorite holiday.
The motion picture box office has always celebrated romantic love, and profited from it. Romance is big business – TITANIC box office, in fact. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, PRETTY WOMAN, GONE WITH THE WIND, TITANIC, Sidney Sheldon's Oscar-winning THE BACHELOR & THE BOBBY-SOXER, AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, and last year's landmark BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, are but a handful of examples. There are hundreds of others, spanning the entirety of Hollywood history.
Most MatchFlickers celebrated Valentine's Day on Wednesday. Others of you will get around to it this weekend. There are many legends about the origin of Valentine's Day. None may be true, or there could be a modicum of truth in each of them.
Here's my personal favorite tale of how Valentine's Day began:
Valentine was a priest who lived during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men – his crop of Rome's potential 
A Classic Box Office Romance 1990's-style |
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soldiers.
Valentine, realizing the injustice of Claudius's decree, defied the Emperor, continuing to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Claudius discovered Valentine's defiance, he put the priest to death.
Before his beheading, Valentine sent a note to the love of his life. He signed the note: "from your Valentine." Voila! A classic romantic tradition is born.
Truth, legend, or a little bit of both, the story is incredibly romantic - worthy of a lush budget Hollywood production.
Whether or not it's among your personal favorite, the box office tells us that PRETTY WOMAN, is among the most successful of all romantic comedies. THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, is also among the box office's all-time most successful romantic motion pictures.
In my opinion, and regardless of the motion picture's genre, movie-going is always a romantic experience. At the movies, reality takes a hiatus, and your emotional life goes into overdrive. Whether the movie makes you laugh, cry, gasp, or fall in love, the experience is more romantic than real. When the film has ended, you and your date most likely both have tears standing in your eyes, shock on your face, or laugh lines creasing your mouth.
Of course, you can rent or buy any of Hollywood's great romances for this post-Valentine's 
A Unconventional Box Office Romance for the 21st Century |
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Day Weekend. Or, you can patronize your favorite box office to see one of the two romantic flicks released this week: DADDY'S LITTLE GIRLS and MUSIC AND LYRICS.
Tyler Perry's DADDY'S LITTLE GIRLS is a romantic drama about family, community, and love against all odds. Written, co-produced, and directed by Tyler Perry, Lionsgate's 2007 box office Valentine stars Gabrielle Union and Idris Elba. Also starring is Oscar-winner Louis Gossett, Jr. If Perry's previous motion pictures are any indicator, then look for DADDY'S LITTLE GIRLS to own this weekend's box office.
On the other screen, the Brothers Warner serve up suave Hugh Grant and delectable Drew Barrymore in the tuneful Valentine pastiche MUSIC AND LYRICS. As this cinematic confection opens, all is not harmonious for Alex Fletcher (Grant), a washed up '80s pop music icon who's been reduced to playing the nostalgia-retro circuit. In an act of desperation, Alex recruits Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) to make his big comeback opportunity fly. On the road to regaining stardom, the musician finds true love. The wonderful Campbell Scott and the hilarious Brad Garrett co-star.
Fall in love at the box office this weekend, or rent one or more of Hollywood's all-time great romantic epics. Either way, you're in for a great Valentine's MatchFlick.
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| The Business of Show |
Every other Friday
Does advertising, public taste, or overindulged stars determine a movie's box office fate? Christoper Stone explores what's going on behind the box office.
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| Christopher Stone |
Christopher Stone is the author of the international best seller Re-Creating Your Self. With Mary Sheldon, he co-authored three highly successful hardcover books of guided meditations.
He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, West.
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If you have a comment, question, or suggestion, you can send a message to Christopher Stone by clicking here.
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