Memorable Love Scenes: Titanic

Poster via IMDB.comWe've been talking about memorable love scenes this week. And today I'm taking one that uses the "glossed over" sex scene to perfection. There are times you don't have to show everything (in a movie or in a book) but the scene cna still be sensual and impactful.

This scene stands out in my mind because of the emotion (we know what's about to happen to that ship) and the conflict (Jack and Rose come from different worlds but can't stay away from each other.) In almost all circumstances, there needs to be overlying conflict within your love scenes--why is it so dangerous for these two to be together. (Unless it's the happily ever after scene or a setup scene like the one in Ghost yesterday.)

Here's the scene:

So what are your thoughts on this one? Is it the tension that's been set up (remember the painting scene)? Is it the emotion? Or is the stakes and conflict?

Memorable Love Scenes: Ghost

Poster via IMDB.comThis week we're analyzing memorable love scenes so that we can hopefully write books that have scenes just as memorable. We've talked about setting and having the scene change the character. Today, I'm featuring one that not only has uniqueness going for it with the pottery wheel AND Patrick Swayze (king of the memorable love scene), but is chock full of emotion. 

This scene is actually a bit of the movie's setup or "showing the ordinary world" before the inciting incident, but it also packs a lot of emotion because the moviegoer knows what's going to happen to Patrick. They've seen the preview, they know what the title of the movie is. So this scene taps into that deep emotion of being with the person you love most in the world.

Here's the scene:

So what do you think? Why does this one stand out in so many of our memories?

Memorable Love Scenes: Pretty Woman

Poster via IMDB.comIf you missed it yesterday, this week I'm featuring memorable love scenes so that we can a) enjoy and b) analyze what makes the scene so memorable so that we can translate it into our own writing. Yesterday, we looked at the unique setting factor.

Today, I wanted to feature a scene that has one of the most mundane settings of all--a hotel room--but it still a classic memorable moment. It focuses on the change in the characters. A love scene, whether it's a kiss or a full sex scene, should always change the characters in some way. Otherwise, why are you showing it?

So here's the kissing scene from Pretty Woman:

This scene is definitely smexy--I mean, it's Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, come on now. But the reason it has stuck with so many of us is because of what that kiss represented. Sex wasn't a big deal for Vivian, but a kiss...that was a whole different thing.

So what do you love most about this scene? Why do you think it's so memorable?