Chicago On DVD: Love Is In The Air
By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 13, 2006 4:29PM
This morning as Chicagoist was watching WGN News, we overheard they were running a poll on the Most Romantic Valentine’s Day movie. Dean Richards was rattling off the usual suspects like Casablanca and Officer and a Gentleman. Wow, no joke. Every time we see Louis Gossett Jr. sweep Richard Gere off his feet and carry him out of the factory, we get chills.
One choice had us really confused though: Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Huh? Which part of that movie is romantic? The prostitution? Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of a buck-toothed Japanese man? Plus, it just reminds us of that stupid song.
Since WGN didn’t see fit to post the poll on their site, we channeled our disgust into creating our own list of romantic movies that take place in Chicago. Check 'em out after the jump.
love jones (1997): Larenz Tate is all over the place these days with appearances in Ray, Crash, and the TV show "Love Monkey," but this film starring the West Side actor contains our favorite performance of his career. love jones remains one of the most honest portrayals of the ups-and-downs of city romance and has a great jazz soundtrack as well.
About Last Night… (1986): Ah, Debbie and Danny: the original Trixie and Chad? Perhaps. But what saves this film from the depths of romcom hell is the script co-written by the underrated Tim Kazurinsky and based on the David Mamet play Sexual Perversity in Chicago).
Endless Love (1981): It’s the old story: boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy burns down a house. We’re sure a young Lisa Lopes was taking notes when this film was released. While not technically a “Chicago film, ” the Museum of Science and Industry makes an appearance here as do Tom Cruise, Jamie Gertz, James Spader and a young Ian “90210” Ziering in their film debuts.
Brian’s Song (1971): Look, we’re not saying there was any kind of Brokeback Endzone action going on here or anything. But damnit, every time we see Lando Calrissian say how much he loves Sonny Corleone and asks God to love him too…we’re tearing up just thinking about it.
Never Been Kissed (1999): It’s unrealistic as hell and in the wake of so many teacher-student relationships hitting the news as of late, it even skeeves us out a little. But it’s got nice shots of downtown and Jessica Alba and it’s a typical romcom so why the hell not?
If none of these do anything for you there’s always something from the Hughes oeuvre. Sixteen Candles or Pretty In Pink, anyone?