Something’s Gotta Give is one of my favorite romantic comedies. I’ve watched it many times and know almost all the lines by heart. Diane Keaton somehow makes having a broken heart funny in her crying scene. One of the lessons of the movie is this: the heart wants what the heart wants. But the lines below are among the most powerful.
Marin: Are you crying?
Erica Barry: Yeah. It’s my new thing. I’ve gotten abnormally brilliant at it.
Marin: Why? What is it?
Erica Barry: I’m in love. Ain’t it great? Seems like I gotta learn how to that… love-them-and-leave-them stuff, you know?
Marin: Oh mom, I hate this. Now do you get my theory about all this? You gotta self-protect.
Erica Barry: You don’t really buy this stuff you say, do you? You don’t actually think that you can outsmart getting hurt?
Marin: I think it’s worth trying.
Erica Barry: Listen to me. You can’t hide from love for the rest of your life because maybe it won’t work out… maybe you’ll become unglued? It’s just not a way to live.
Marin: Are you telling me this is good? What’s happened to you?
Erica Barry: I think you should consider the possibility that you and I are more alike than you realize. I let someone in, and I had the time of my life.
Marin: I’ve never had the time of my life.
Erica Barry: I know, baby. And I say this from the deepest part of my heart. What are you waiting for?
The lesson: In romance, you have to take a risk. Yes, there may be pain. But if you see a chance, take it. Here’s a few more things I’ve learned about love from the movies:
“Love is a gift, Alex, not an obligation.” –Fools Rush In
“You are what you love, not what loves you.” –Adaptation
“The greatest thing you’ll ever know, is just to love, and be loved in return.” –Moulin Rouge
A few more:
- Murphy’s Romance: Age is just a number.
- Overboard: Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
- Indecent Proposal: don’t go off with Robert Redford, no matter how much money he offers you.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: you can’t wipe out the bad memories, without wiping out the good memories.
- The Painted Veil: Sometimes love grows when you least expect it.
And Samantha in the television show Sex and the City:
“I love you, but I love me more.”
What have you learned about love at the movies? Let us know at the Daily PlanIt Facebook page!
I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.
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