Top 10 Best Romantic Grand Gestures in Movies
#10: The Fire Escape “Pretty Woman” (1990)
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Here’s to women rescuing men right back! In 1990’s “Pretty Woman,” the wealthy Edward hires sex worker Vivian to pretend to be his girlfriend for the week while he tries to land a business deal. Of course – as these things are wont to go – the two fall in love. But, despite her love for him, Vivian won’t be anyone’s girl on the side. She leaves Edward, and it appears that he’s about to leave Los Angeles … but then he turns that car around. He shows up at Vivian’s apartment building with flowers and scales up her fire escape despite his fear of heights. It’s the perfect metaphorical version of a fairytale for this charming rom-com.
#9: Nothing More Important “The Thing About Harry” (2020)
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A public event is a ripe setting for a grand romantic gesture – and “The Thing About Harry” certainly takes advantage of that. Our love interests, Harry and Sam, spend the majority of this movie dancing around each other, insulting each other’s significant others, trying their hand at dating apps, and so much more. But, of course, it just takes one romantic speech to make all the rest of the chaos go away. Sam, upset after learning that Harry will be moving, ignores him at all costs. Harry takes things into his own hands and jumps onstage at the political rally Sam is working at to profess his love. After all, there will be other jobs, but there’s only one Sam.
#8: Slipping Past Airport Security “Love Actually” (2003)
Is it possible that “Love Actually” hasn’t aged that well after all these years? In places, yes. Is it also possible that the scene where Sam runs after Joanna in the airport is still far and away the most romantic part of the movie? Definitely, yes! In this Christmas classic, Sam has had a crush on Joanna for ages, but has always been too afraid to tell her. Unfortunately for him, Joanna is set to go back to America after the school’s Christmas concert – but if we’ve learned anything from the movies, there’s nothing more romantic than a good-old-fashioned run through the airport. Sam makes it all the way to the gate, and Joanna gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek. It’s adorable.
#7: Airplane Proposal “The Wedding Singer” (1998)
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This one’s a sing-a-long, folks! “The Wedding Singer,” like many Adam Sandler productions, is filled with a lot of laughs – so you might be surprised at how genuinely sweet this romantic gesture is. After a misunderstanding between her and Robbie – played by Sandler – Julia, played by Drew Barrymore, elopes to Vegas with the philandering Glenn. Robbie goes after her, and upon realizing they’re on the same plane, hatches a plan to get her back. Enlisting the flight passengers – including Billy Idol – he surprises Julia not only with his presence, but also with a very sweet song. We hope these two get to grow old together.
#6: Helping Ilsa Escape “Casablanca” (1942)
Sacrificing your own feelings for the greater happiness of the person you love may be the most romantic thing you can do. And Humphrey Bogart certainly did it best in 1942’s “Casablanca.” Set during World War II, the story follows Bogart’s Rick, a nightclub owner in the titular city, who meets back up with his former love, Ilsa – played luminously by Ingrid Bergman. Ilsa is married to someone else, but there’s still history and love between her and Rick. When Ilsa’s husband is in trouble, Rick helps him escape and asks Ilsa to leave too – despite loving her. He knows she would regret it if she stayed. – [“Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.”]
#5: Lydia’s Dowry “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
“Pride & Prejudice” and Jane Austen stories in general are ripe for romance. Mr. Darcy’s rain-soaked proposal certainly crossed our minds for this entry, but we had to go with the moment he helped Elizabeth by helping her sister, Lydia. Ever impulsive, Lydia runs off with the dubious Mr. Wickham, inviting all sorts of scandal on the Bennett family. However, when the two return married, it leaves one to wonder how on earth they paid for the ceremony. Elizabeth learns that – despite his hatred for Mr. Wickham and his all-around dour nature – Mr. Darcy paid for the wedding to save the Bennetts’ reputation, putting Elizabeth’s family before himself.
#4: “Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner” “Dirty Dancing” (1987)
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We’ve been waiting for so long, but we finally made our way to the “Dirty Dancing” entry. This one is simple, but sometimes all you need is someone to stand up for you. Up at a Catskills resort, Johnny has been teaching Baby how to dance all summer, and the two have grown closer and fallen in love. But, when Baby’s dad finds out about their relationship, he is less than pleased. However, this doesn’t phase Johnny. During the celebration on the final night of the summer, Johnny walks right up to Baby’s table and utters that famous line. [“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”] It’s short and sweet, and the ensuing dance is nothing short of magical.
#3: Crashing the Wedding “The Graduate” (1967)
“The Graduate” has some complicated sexual politics, to say the least. After having an affair with his girlfriend’s mother, Ben reluctantly reveals the truth of infidelity to his girlfriend, Elaine. Understandably, Elaine is a tad upset at this revelation and leaves him. The two end up rekindling their romance, but Elaine’s father isn’t as over the situation as everyone else seems to be. He tries to force Elaine to marry someone else – and he almost gets away with it. But even a broken-down car can’t stop Ben. He runs to the wedding and gets there just as it ends, screaming Elaine’s name. While we’re not sure how it ends up for these kids, you can’t deny it was some gesture.
#2: “I Love You, Baby” “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
Ah yes, the dance sequence which made Heath Ledger a certified heartthrob. In this delightful 90s rom-com, High schooler Cameron wants to date Bianca, but she isn’t allowed to date anyone until her older sister Kat does. Cameron decides to hire bad boy Patrick Verona to date Kat – who famously does not date. Patrick slowly tries to get into Kat’s good graces, culminating with a humongous cheesy musical number in front of the whole school. As Patrick struts and dances around to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Kat can’t help but smile – and neither can we. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Balcony Scene, “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) It’s a Classic for a Reason Wedding Speech, “Love, Rosie” (2014) Romantic Gesture a Bit Too Late Private Performance, “The Best Man Holiday” (2013) Get Yourself a Man Who Choreographs “You Complete Me”, “Jerry Maguire” (1996) & “You Had Me at Hello” Get Off the Train, “Before Sunrise” (1995) A Leap of Faith
#1: The Boombox “Say Anything...” (1989)
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Even if you don’t know the movie, you know the scene. At the urging of her father, Diane breaks up with her boyfriend Lloyd to focus on her studies. In one last act of desperation, Lloyd professes his love to Diane the only way he knows how – via Peter Gabriel. It’s an iconic image – John Cusack, standing in the morning light in a giant coat, boombox held high overhead, “In Your Eyes” blasting over the speakers. Would it be slightly creepy in the real world? Maybe. But this is a movie, and in the moment – it’s quite a gesture.
