I need a lobotomy an intervention
January 6, 2009
Posted by brandy in 1/2 funny 1/2 serious 100% important, a possible regret, and now you might know everything, charm, find the dorkiest sentence in this, hello universe? I love you, it seemed like a good idea at the time..., let's still be friends?, man I'm such a girl, movies, so sappy it hurts, the last line is my favourite, this might be why I'm single, youtubing it in.
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I did this to myself.
I’m the first to admit this.
You see, I went on a bit of a bender during the holidays. People warned me that it wasn’t healthy. That I was going to hurt myself. That I was playing with fire.
Yet, I ignored them all. And went to see someone who could help me me get a fix.
I went to Blockbuster.
And spent days watching “The Wedding Date”, “You’ve Got Mail”, “When Harry Met Sally”, ” Must Love Dogs”, “Sleepless in Seattle”, “The Notebook” and “The Bridges of Madison County” (and you know what sort of crazy comes out when I let myself watch Clint Eastwood work his magic on his camera and Meryl). And when I watched them all?
I watched them again.
I watched so many girl movies, that my ovaries ached when I was done.
The thing is, I’m not really an over-the-top fan of “girl” movies. I blame part of this on my mom, a woman who has never watched an action movie she didn’t like. The more explosions, the more blood and guts, the greater chance of Arnold Schwarzenegger showing up- the more my mom is going to love it. So, I grew up watching more Rocky and less romance.
So, I overdosed. On romantic comedies. Romantic tragedies. Movies where people say things like ” I think I’d miss you even if we never met” (The Wedding Date). Swoon. Sigh. Kill me now.
The funny thing is, after all these movies and all these amazing declarations of love took place in the rain, or at the top of the Empire State building, or on New Years Eve- the line that sticks with me the most isn’t really even about love. It’s about friendship.
The line that I adore? In “You’ve Got Mail” (and yes, I’m now quoting “You’ve Got Mail” so if you are one of three people who are still reading this, I apologize). When Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) goes to visit a sick Kathleen (a pre-botoxed crazed Meg Ryan) and shows up with daisies (her favourite flower), she asks him (her mortal enemy) why he came and he tells her:
“I wanted to be your friend”.
Shhhhhh…. did you hear that? That was my heart just exploding with sappy happiness.
I don’t even really know why my heart melts over that precise line. There’s a thousand other lines in a million other movies that are more romantic, more clearly swoonworthy, but that line just does it for me. Perhaps it’s the way he looks at her when he says it. Maybe it’s the way his voice catches. Or it might be how you know in that moment- how much he clearly loves this woman and how she has no idea. It’s the idea of watching a man hand over his heart disguised as a handful of daisies. In the past, I was a girl who needed the big declaration, but realized through the magic that is Tom Hanks, how much I can get out of a small gesture.
I overdosed. And it was worth it.
Tom Hanks is a drug I never want to quit.
(Annnnd because I’m clearly just accepting the crazy today, I found my favourite scene, it’s weirdly edited, but it’s here. It’s long- but the line I adore- it’s at the 2.22 mark. Oh! And the “Oh, how I wish you would” line at 7:48? Yeah. I love that line too).
Um yes! I have sworn to many many people that I am an action babe. I do not watch sappy, swoony films without substance and little value other than to rape the emotions.
That is possibly the biggest lie I have ever told.
I mean have you seen Heath Ledger in Ten Things I Hate About You. He can rape my emotions any day. And Johnny DEpp in Chocolate. Hello! Johnny and chocolate? Wrap me in love and feed me to the dogs.
I’ts nice to know I am not alone.
I have to admit that I got through phases of being engulfed in the chick flicks too. It’s few and far between, but I’m occasionally a huge sucker.
One of my favorites is Bed of Roses. (Christian Slater) In reality it should be a creepy stalker movie but I fall for it every time.
I’m not sure I could sit through all those movies… and if I did I would need to watch all 5 Rocky’s after just to bring back the testosterone.
did we have the same holiday? i’m still swooning over the line from the wedding date and waiting for it to arrive on a card in a huge arrangement of flowers. you know, one day. haha
You didn’t watch Serendipidy? I know I can’t spell it, but hey its a great chick flick, not that I ever saw it. I heard some girls talking about it once.
That’s a dangerous game you’re playing…
Awwww!!! Chick flicks to relax and unwind are perfect and I know exactly what you mean about that You’ve Got Mail line!! Sweet sweet sweet. Sigh.
Aw, man, we should have a chick flick conference.
Good lord! When I read your post about wanting a grand gesture, I nodded vehemently in agreement. Now, as I read this, I am nodding again. And I understand that its the simple gestures that matter. And after having experienced a grand gesture and a simple one, I know that sometimes, the magic that is associated with a grand gesture is not the romance between the two people but the romance surrounding the grandeur of the moment/ gesture. In a simple one, there is nothing but the two people and the love it exudes is way starker.
You’ve Got Mail is the best! I was actually thinking last night of movies I need to add to my collection and You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle and Sense & Sensibility were my top three!
I think it’s a phase…or a season. The movies that is. The friendship line? Perfection!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with vegging out to Chick Flicks. I need to do that more often.
my god.
I was just thinking the other day how much I love Tom Hanks. And then the Green Mile was on TV. I may have had to stop watching it several times because the tears were blocking my view.
I will never be able to make women swoon like Tom Hanks. I’ve accepted this fact.
In my opnion the best romance movies isn’t even about love. It’s about friendship and You’ve Got Mail is just one of the best. It was the first the first DVD I ever got so I’ve seen it 30+ times (it is from back in the days where I could only watch it on my dads new computer because VHS was still the shit).. I am not one for those girly movies either but sometimes you just can’t help it.
oh i LOVE girl movie overdoses! sometimes you just need them… though i could list out about 20 more that would have rounded out your days and nights (most of them part ofmy personal collectoin gathered specifically for these days).
and what i find about those lines that make me swoon in these movies, it’s not just the line. it’s the delivery and all of the details around what it means in the context of the movie. and believe it or not last night was the first time i watched You’ve Got Mail and i remember that line, and i get it.
i may have to unbox some DVDs today and let my ovaries enjoy!
Um, you’re killing me. Are you reading my mind? I actually said, to the roommate on Sunday as The Wedding Date played on tv, “I think on my list of what I want in a guy is one that says the words – “I think I’d miss you even if we’d never met.”"
And then, AND THEN, You’ve Got Mail was on tv (as well as it was last night at 11 pm) and I watched the tissue/daisy scene and said, “THIS IS MY FAVORITE SCENE.”
I’m going to be so screwed up for any guy. Such a hopeless romantic.
This post made me laugh. And smile. You’re a good writer.
Wedding Date was on television the other night….why aren’t there guys like the ones that exist in fiction? Sigh.
Le swoon. I go through phases where I completely induldge in chick flicks. Sometimes its when I need a good cry or just need to believe that maybe, just maybe, a love like that can exist out there somewhere. I have spent entired weekends just holed up watching movies like that.
I think that post just filled my lifetime quote of sap.
It’s so lame, but I’m a sucker for “you had me at hello.”
Even though it’s so sad, I love Ladder 49.
Just Like Heaven! 13 Going on 30! Hitch!
okay, I need to go have a marathon immediately.
You know whats sadder than your binge….I own every single one of those movies. My house is a blockbuster for vagina films. I am the lamest person alive…you can take honorable mention if you like. It would make me feel a tad better about my self.
aww this sounds like a great holiday, I love all these movies. You need to add p.s I love you to the list, I watched it for the first time over the holidays and just WEEPED all the way through
That be a lot of Chick Flick action there Brandy Girl.
I may have my own Chick Flick movie marathon in the near future.
I’m sure The Boy would appreciate it, since he’s getting on my last nerve currently. So NEEDY! God. I must be the anti-girl because he wants to talk to me 5 bazillion times a day (ok, maybe 2-3) and talk about “feelings” and send me love poems and I want to….not.
Gah.
What is wrong with me?!
I’sm so sorry to hear about this! No, really I am!
perhaps Hellboy 1 and 2 will help snap you out of this?
I got caught in the other sap you like, “PS I love You” over the holidays- talk about a wicked web of cottoncandy sweet!
The Notebook rocks, tho! And Meryl gripping that door handle at the end of “Madson County”, “should I stay or should i go now?”- briliant acting! if you have to watch these movies…;-)
I love love love chick flicks, it’s really the only type of movie I ever watch. I absolutely love and adore that “I wanted to be your friend” (with daisies) line too! Oh Brandylu so many more movies can be suggested if you’re looking for more crack.
I love chick flicks. They allow me to escape and delve into my sappiness. I just can’t watch them with guys because they RUIN it for me.
I didn’t like The Wedding Date. I found the acting painful. And I love Debra Messing but now, it did not work for me. BUT whenever there is a chick flick on TV, even if I’ve seen it 100 times, I’ll probably watch it again. Horrible ones, Lifetime Movies, you name it, I’ve probably watched it and maybe cried a little.
During our move many years ago, I lost our When Harry Met Sally DVD. No worries. I know all the lines by heart and can even sing the soundtrack. However, I think the presence of Gena Rowlands and James Garner elevate The Notebook (LOVE IT!) above the level of mere chick flicks.
a few things…
1) your mother sounds like a very interesting person…she needs to start blogging herself…
2) sadly…’You’ve Got Mail’..can’t watch…reminds me too much of The Ex…and that’s memories best left at the curb where they belong…
3) the Notebook…possibly the most romantic movie EVER…the scene in the canoe, surrounded by the swans…is rivalled only by…
4) any scene in The English Patient with Juliet Binoche and Naveen Andrews…OMGoodness…all those little itty bitty lanterns leading to the late night tryst? no man may ever live up to my expectations again after seeing that…
i love this movie.
LOVE.
own it.
love that line too.
and sometimes? i find that the movies that get me even more than the romantic ones are the ones about sweet friendships. beaches, anyone?
Hahhahaha i loved this post. I go on this binges too – in fact, I do stuff like watch When Harry Met Sally, and follow it up with A Lot LIke Love (the Ashton Kutcher/Amanda Peet remake) just to get a double dose of each movie. Other favourites: Philadelphia Story (Cary Grant & Katherine Hepburn), North and South, Pride and Prejudice (Colin firth and Laurence Olivier versions), etc etc etc
*sigh* with all these over the top expectations, no wonder I’m perpetually single !
I LOVE ‘You’ve Got Mail’. There is an old movie with Judy Garland called ‘In the Good Old Summertime’ that YGM is kind of a remake of. I love that one too.
I have to admit I over indulged on all mushy romantic movies too..A LOT. Doesnt matter whether im alone or with my girls..
ps. have you watched crazy / beautiful?
Would you believe that I saw When Harry Met Sally for the first time ever a couple of weeks ago?
I heart you!
You had me at Tom Hanks. He is just an A class guy.
Thanks. I have to watch some chick flicks now.
Oh geez, now I’m going to have to go home and watch the copy I own (and probably haven’t watched in YEARS). Such a good movie.
Same person! I don’t usually like chick flicks either and I also blame my extremely non-sentimental, Schwarzenegger-loving mom. BUT I do occasionally indulge, usually in secret, and I may or may not have teared-up a little at your description of the daisy scene.
So often in romantic books and movies, the characters just seem to be in LUST with each other, or in love with the idea of love. So there’s something so touching about the idea that he truly wants to be her friend.
This post made me realize that I’m less girly than I used to be. The shows/movies that I want to watch over and over again and that resonate the most with me are ones where people are relentlessly and tirelessly pursuing their passion (um, WW!)
Maybe that signifies a shift in what I think is missing in my life? I don’t know.
Hahaha, I loveeee girl movies! <3 Although, I haven’t seen a few of the ones you mentioned, and I think I probably should get on that.
I actually love chick flicks in general, but I do draw the line at “27 Dresses.” No man can say he actually likes that movie for any other reason the Katherine Heigl, it’s just not acceptable.
The friendship line is great, probably because it’s the most realistic type of line in romantic films.
I’m a bigger fan of “Serendipity” and John Cusack films in general though.
I’m a chick-flick junkie. I own every single one of those movies, plus more. I was on a kick with “The Holiday” for a while. I feel like Iris most days. Favorite part: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUPk5eKsGvs&feature=related
But I refuse to watch “When Harry Met Sally” anymore, because my friends say I get this awkward tilt to my head and a weird look in my eye, like I’m sizing up every male friend I have to see if they’re the Harry to my Sally.
Okay, now I really need to add something to my Netflix queue where something gets ‘blowed up real good.
You’ve Got Mail is my favorite movie EVER. That line is priceless. I love it. Tom Hanks is great, Meg Ryan is great, and of course the bookshops and the emails… ahhh, that movie is perfection. Life shoudl always be like You’ve Got Mail.
I watched The Wedding Date twice…in TWO DAYS! I love it, love it, love it.
I can do the same thing with 27 Dresses, Sweet Home Alabama, and so many others.
If you need an intervention, then I’m in line right behind you!
My favorite part of the sick Kathleen scene is when Tom Hanks asks, “Honey?” and she gets all freaked out. LOVE.
One of my all-time favs is While You Were Sleeping. I’ve watched it waaaaaay too many times and the leaning scene *still* gives me butterflies.
OMG.. “You’ve Got Mail” is my ALL TIME FAVORITE. I must watch it a gajillion times a year and if it’s on TV… I’m done.
My favorite quote: When Joe Fox stands up Kathleen Kelly.. he’s trying to send her an email to give an explaination why. And after several tries he ends up with: “…..Someday, I’ll explain everything. Meanwhile, I’m still here. Talk to me”.
*Swoon*
You’ve got mail is one of my all-time favorite movies, as is When Harry Met Sally. “Daisies are the friendliest flower. Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?” There. Now I’ve proven that there’s no hope for me. That movie is just all kinds of good and warm on the inside like a chocolate chip cookie straight from the oven.
I also watched When Harry Met Sally over the holidays. God I love that movie. “I would like to partake in your pecan pie….pecan pie….”
now I’ll go crawl under a rock for being such a dork.
I absolutely love “The Wedding Date”. I’m sure I have it somewhere in my room – I NEED to watch it again soon!!!
Oh Tom Hanks what you do for us! Love it
You’ve Got Mail is my favorite movie, no lie. I’ve actually watched it 3 times in the past week, but that’s just because it’s being overplayed on Oxygen. The daisies and tissues scene is also my favorite. *swoon*
I absolutely love vegging out with Chick Flicks. They are great, you don’t have to think and they offer some sort of delusional hope, that maybe your life could be like one. When one comes on TV I just can’t help myself from watching them. I know they are unrealistic, but hey a girl can’t help by love a love story.
I’ll be the first to admit we used the “you want the rest of your life to start now” line in our wedding vows. It’s just so perfect. Perhaps cheesy, but it really did speak to how I feel/felt about my wife leading up to the wedding.
If you watch Gran Torino, my guess is you will still love Clint, but for very different reasons. It’s a great flick.
My favourite chick flick ever is Moonstruck. There is a seen with Nicolas Cage and Cher in the snow that starts with “I want you in my bed.” Brilliant.
I like fairy tales… Chocolat, Amelie, on and Pulp Fiction.
Tom Hanks is second only to Josh (swoon, hearts flutter).
I oded over the holiday too. After my brief December romance, I rented The Bridges of Madison County…. and cried.
Francesca: I realized love won’t obey our expectations, it’s mystery is pure and absolute.
Haha, I love JustRun’s idea for the conference. Don’t feel bad in the least that you ODed. I’ve spent many a weekend watching season after season of Sex and the City on DVD. I think every girl has a piece of her soul that can only be nurtured by watching chick flick material.
Please tell me you’ve seen P.S. I Love You? It’s my new favorite.
i love watching tons of girly movies every now and then too. it just makes me so sappy and giddy, it’s ridiculous. i prefer the notebook, love actually, chocolat, how to lose a guy in ten days and thirteen going on thirty, just to name a few
Holiday times like this are total magnets to indulge in sappy girl movies. If there is a commercial-free marathon, that’s a bonus!
I’m not a huge chick-flick person if I watch them all the time. But considering my boy won’t get within the same neighbourhood as one, let alone sit and watch it, I need to get my fix when I can.
Over the holidays I saw: PS I love You twice, Across the Universe twice, Sex and the City etc. with my girl cousins. Awesome.
ALso, how totally amazing is Bridges of Madison County? I love that movie, and that book.
Thirdly, I have to admit that I HATE Tom Hanks with a deeply loathing passion. This is upsetting to everyone I know. He just looks and acts like a bit of a knob to me. Hate. Doesn’t mean I don’t see his movies though (they’re hard to escape). It just means I can never rank them as my favs.
I stopped reading after the line:
“And spent days watching “The Wedding Date”, “You’ve Got Mail”, “When Harry Met Sally”, ” Must Love Dogs”, “Sleepless in Seattle”, “The Notebook” and “The Bridges of Madison County” ”
I’m sure it was a great post though.
I loooooooooooooove Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan together! And, I may or may not own both “You’ve Got Mail” and “Sleepless in Seattle”…
I will stand behind this statement for the rest of my life: ALL women will do this at least once in their lifetime, if not more.
My fave line is from the Notebook and he says, “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird” – I mean what the heck! It gets me all choked up!! (when they’re on the beach and she’s flapping her arms like crazy and he’s just starring at her like she really is crazy, and adoring her completely).
Have I sweated out all of my testosterone by reading through these comments? I feel the need to watch “Roundhouse”…don’t ask why.
There is NOTHIHNG wrong wiht this- at all. high five. I need one of those days.
So you forgive Tom for “Bosom Buddies” is what you’re saying.
Oh my. This is just sad. Sad.
I do love me some action movies but I’m a real sucker for a chick flick. I love all the ones you listed. Speaking of quirky favorite lines: One of my all-time favs that I quote more than I should and at not so appropriate times (because there just aren’t enough appropriate times) is from the movie Phenomenon with John Travolta. It’s a line said by Robert Duvall’s character: “Because he bought her chairs.” uh……..now I’m swooning!
I have a special place in my heart for anything Tom Hanks does, but through always-adorable (though totally botoxed…) Meg Ryan in there? I’m sold. I can’t help it. I prefer a good Kevin Smith marathon to chick flicks any day, but Hanks and Ryan get me every time.
Oh, how I wish you would! That’s exactly the line I was going to comment on! Love it. Something about the way he says it….
I still love this silly movie, even though it’s funny to see them using dial up on their dinosaur laptops with aol no less!
Oh, I totally do that. Right now, I have to avoid it so I am on a Will and Grace bender.
I want to watch that movie. right. now.
I’ve never seen it and I keep on missing it on Oxygen. Ughh! Haha
My mom and aunts are also more into the explosions than emotions so I grew up on a healthy diet of James Bond. I’m not into the girlie movies either, but I don’t mind You’ve Got Mail. And when I finally watched When Harry Met Sally at the ripe age of 23, it was my then-boyfriend who made me.
I’ve watched You’ve Got Mail at least 10 times, and haven’t gotten tired of it yet.
Alright, so the Notebook was good, Sex and the City even better, and I just watched Mama Mia over break (not as good as the stage production, although I, too, am in love with Meryl). When Harry Met Sally is one of my wife’s and my favorite movies. It described our relationship quite clearly at one point. And we’re old enough to have seen it when it first came out. Ack!
I was all ‘woe is me’ between Christmas and New Years (and still a bit) and it doesn’t help that TBS has been playing ALL of those damn movies! I think the next day after You’ve Got Mail played, a few of us had quoted it. And Lil Sis and I were watching The Wedding Date, and we both looked at each other when he said the ‘I would have missed you even if we never met’ line.
Sigh. I have a love/hate relationship with chick flicks.
More love though.
Must go and find ‘You’ve got mail” – would you believe I haven’t seen it?
Me – I love Persuasion, Notting Hill, and every tv show with URST – especially Bones,C.S.I Miami (Calleigh and Eric) and Cold Case. Also Pride and Prejudice – both with Jennifer Ehrle and also Keira Knightly. There is also a British Robert Altmann film with Liam Nielson,Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant etc full of intersecting stories set at Christmas time. Bugger- can’t remember the name – but LOVE it. Now if $ Weddings and a funeral had some other actress rather than the irritating Andie McDowell, I would love that too. The funeral with Stop all the Clocks is my teary moment…
i love those movies. I hope you didn’t find yourself saying lines from the movies. That may or may not have happened to me???
I got too ahead of myself. I read “I went on a bender” and I was all, AHH ME TOO!
.. And then I read that yours was of chick flicks and rom com’s.. I subsequently felt like an alcoholic.
But what can you do.
My liver is aching alongside your heart.