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Sliding Doors |
Here we have an interesting film from 1998 that I had never heard of until I started asking people what their favorite break-up movies were. Sliding Doors was suggested and I gave it a shot. A little over a month later here it is at #10 on my top ten break up films and it makes it here more for its invention and success in pulling off what would seem to be an impossible task.
The film follows Gwyneth Paltrow's character in two scenarios. The first one has her catching the train home to find her boyfriend cheating, the second has her missing the train and returning home clueless. Both scenarios play out over the course of the film quite well and seeing how this is a "break-up" movie list I am sure you can guess how one scenario plays out, but there is much more to this little flick that really is worth the watch.
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Swingers |
I actually think Swingers is much better than a lot of the films on this list, but the actual break-up is more of a catalyst to the rest of the film as opposed to the entire subject of the film. However, the break-up is a large enough part of the story that it definitely warrants a placement. Swingers is not only great for its story and comedy, it is one of the most quotable films you will ever watch. One of my personal favorites has a lot to do with the screen grab above, "I'm gonna make Gretzky's head bleed for super fan 99 over here." Classic. Gotta love EA's NHL for the Sega Genesis.
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Chasing Amy |
Here is a great break-up film and one of two Kevin Smith films that manages to make the list. Unfortunately this classic, Ben Affleck falls for a lesbian and gets her, film falls short because Joey Lauren Adams is better off for bit roles as opposed to leading roles. She is amazingly cute and as much as I am sure so many out there hate her high voice I absolutely adore it, her acting just isn't quite up to snuff. She is cute as hell in this flick and it has a lot of laughs. Chasing Amy is worthy of a collection addition and certainly one of the best break-up films.
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High Fidelity |
High Fidelity is a good film, but as I toured the Net and saw other folks listing off good break-up films I think they automatically give this one high marks just because it is all about break-ups. High Fidelity is a lot of fun, and it is quite interesting to see such a young Catherine Zeta-Jones and I swear to God, Iben Hjejle looks so much like Robin Wright-Penn they may as well be twins, but I don't think it is worth a #1 spot where many would probably place it.
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Blood Simple |
What's that? The Coen brothers' film about a guy who hires an assassin to kill his wife is being considered a break-up movie? Damn straight! Break-ups don't get any worse than when assassins get involved! On top of that, when that wife has pretty much called it quits on said husband and delivers the death blow to the man pouch I would say it pretty much qualifies, and Blood Simple is top notch.
I still haven't seen High Fidelity. The sad part is, some of it was filmed at my high school, while I was there.lol.
Hmmm, I think I know about three of these so it's hard to comment. I'm not sure if i'd call Mallrats just because it begins with one. It's more about getting back together. Depends on your point of view.
Now Chasing Amy, thats a break-up movie. And what a movie, allthough I am quite partial to Kevin Smith movies.
I guess its time for me to dig up Heat again.
Looking at the chosen flicks you could allso consider Kill Bill, talk about finalizing a break up.
Or what about The War of the Roses?
I know it's impossible to include every great break-up movie, but I think I'd have to throw in the Before Sunrise/Before Sunset movies. What a great discetion of what it means to be in a relationship and, more than that, most of their discussions revolve around love and losing it! Plus, it was a movie that made me feel better after a few of my own break-ups, so that should count for something.
Hey sameasy0urs, I absolutely love both of those movies. Honestly, they are two of my favs of all-time. I just don't see them as break-up movies. But if anyone hasn't seen them, they really should, because they are great.
Brad im very glad you put Heat on this list because it really does make sense. In most of Manns films its about relationships and listening to him talk about it is really something amazing because he really seems to understand it. Like in heat when they are in the diner and they just open up to each other about many things but one of them being about their relationships and how that these "tough" guys care for who they are with and love them but know at the same time that Hannah is hurting the one he loves and Neil is going too (leave her 30 seconds flat). Mann also does this in miami vice when it comes to relationships that just CANT work (at the end). But yes another long rant but when it comes to Heat and Mr. Mann i can talk all day. Great list and heres a line for you……….your so money and you dont even know baby
How in the name of everything good and holy can you not have The War of the Roses on this list? If ever there was a truly brilliant black comedy about break-ups, than that one is it.
Otherwise, I can't really say anything one way or the other. Well, I guess I can add that I think Sliding Doors is one of the biggest piles dog-doo the good Ms. Paltrow has ever been in. I hated it when it first came out, hated it when I let someone talk me into giving it a second chance and hated it even more when I ran across part of it on cable a few months back. The film is truly heinous.
On the plus side, Heat is a brilliant call. I'd be tempted to also add The Truman Show from the same year. But Michael Mann's opus? Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Good add on that one.
I love your list, specialty High Fidelity and Gone with the Wind, but Lordee, Lordee…
Casablanca? (The MOTHER of all breakups)
Splendor in the Grass?
The Way We Were?
The Wedding Singer?
Kramer vs. Kramer?
Say anything…?
Sideways…?
Living Out Loud..?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind..?
Sorry, I can't make a list on this particular subject. I'm a total schmuck when it comes to breaking up in movies.
Yeah, I considered Casablanca, Eternal Sunshine and Sideways. But I felt if I also included all my honorable mentions it wouldn't give you guys anything to chat about or bash me on. :)
Yup, I love the bashing as much as the praise. I also like seeing what other people recommend. As a matter of fact I have Three Kings here at the house after someone told me I should revisit it in a comment. See, I listen!! :)
The one thing I am happiest about is that none of you brought up the Vince Vaughn/Jen Aniston movie The Break-Up… yay!
No bashing Brad. It's fun to discuss movies and see everyone's points of view. Thank Goodness, we don't all like the same ones…but i agree with the Jen/Van mess. No chemistry there whatsoever, and no one to root for. But…Casablanca and "we'll always have Paris?" Talk about a difficult thing to do, let go the love of your life because it was the "honorable" thing to do, when all you had to do was snap your fingers and she would have been yours. That's a breakup my friend. It's easy to send a dirtback packing, but to renounce to the real thing? i don't think so.
Great list! Definitely a great mix of movies I didn't expect to see.
Beside "Eternal Sunhine…" I miss "The Last Kiss". More the italian original, than the remake, but anyway. Still a great list!