The Wedding Planner (2001)

Directed by Adam Shankman (1)

Cast: Jennifer Lopez (2), Matthew McConaughey (3), Judy Greer (4), Alex Rocco (5), Justin Chambers (6), Bridgette Wilson (7), and Kathy Najimy (8)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite quotes - "You need to learn the patience. I mean love can't always be perfect. Love is just love." & "Love isn't like some enchanted evening. It isn't a fairy tale. Or even love at first sight. That isn't real life."

My favourite dialogue - 

Mary: Dad, you cannot push some guy at me. That's not how it works. You know that. You had Ma.
Salvatore: Yes! And I didn't meet her until the day of our wedding. 

Mary: What are you talking about?
Salvatore: Your mother and I had an arranged marriage. 
Mary: An arranged marriage?
Salvatore: We met on the day of our wedding. We couldn't even look at each other. I was in love with another girl and your mother wanted nothing to do with me. She said I had big eyebrows and a low IQ. Anyway, one day I got very sick with scarlet fever, and er, she stayed by my side. She took good care of me. For the first time, I appreciated her. Then the appreciation grew to respect. Respect grew to like. Then like grew to love. A deeper love than I could ever hope for. So give Massimo a chance. Maybe you don't like him now. But maybe you might love him later. I should have told you about your mother and I a long time ago. Maybe then you'd feel differently about love. 
Mary: I don't feel anything about love.


Edward: You know what I used to love when I was a kid Phil?
Philip: What?

Edward: Building blocks. Erector sets.

Philip: So...? I liked Monopoly. Boardwalk, Park Place. What's the point?

Edward: We don't build anything Phil. We don't make anything.

Philip: We make money Edward. We worked for a year on this deal. It's what you said you wanted. I'm handing it to you.

Dialogue from the film Pretty Woman 

What we loved to play as a child might be pretty telling of how we turn out to be it seems. What was your favourite toy as a child? Believe it or not, I played with Barbie Dolls. I loved their pretty dresses. Hmm... but I didn't end up becoming a fashion designer. So I guess that theory is out the window. I love everything about The Wedding Planner. It's one of those films that took me by surprise. It was possibly because I saw Jennifer Lopez more as a singer rather than an actress. Then after watching the film I remember, she did an awesome job in the film Selena even before I noticed her in The Wedding Planner. Or it could be because the subject matter is very close to my heart - Love, Weddings, and Marriage. 

I have never been married. And only 2 of my very good girlfriends have gotten married so far. Both of them didn't have any wedding jitters. But that's how we first meet Jennifer Lopez's Mary Fiore. Nope. She's not the one having the jitters. She's the wedding planner who's putting the bride at ease. Immediately we get a good sense of her personality. And the minute we see we her home life, we realise that she's not one of those airy fairy types with romantic notions about love or marriage. She doesn't have her head in the clouds.

"Love isn't like some enchanted evening. It isn't a fairy tale. Or even love at first sight. That isn't real life. Massimo's a good man. Don't worry Papa. I know what I'm doing. I'm just all grown up now." 

- Mary Fiore

Romance novels, romantic comedies and romantic dramas, Disney fairytale happy endings. I think all these contribute to the idealistic notions that some women have about love, weddings, and marriage. Most women hope for their Prince Charming to sweep them off their feet. And most women aren't practical about what they expect of their partner. Sure, Prince Charming possibly exists. But they are few and far between. So not everyone is going to get their fairytale ending. And some people don't expect a fairytale ending. It really depends on how practical you are. 

I think I am both practical and idealistic. Can that be possible? I think so. I want the whole nine yards. That's the idealistic me talking. But at the same time, I recognise that I have to be realistic in my "demands" with regards to a life partner. So while I yearn for Prince Charming, I realise that I need to remember that Prince Charming need not be perfect. 

Truth be told, in some ways, I think I'm quite like Mary Fiore. She's constantly needs to be in control, she tells herself that she's happy and doesn't make time to date or get to know new people. The main difference between Mary and I is the fact that I don't have some unresolved issues with an ex boyfriend and I've never had a fiancé. I want someone special to come home to, but at the same time I love myself enough to know that I should not settle for less than what I truly want in a life partner.

Steve: Do you ever think about that night at the park?
Mary: What?

Steve: I barely know you. I don't know your dad's first name, I don't know if you ever wore braces, or contacts, or glasses and I have no idea how you came to be a wedding planner, Mary. But I do know the curves of your face. And I know every fleck of gold in your eyes. I know that the night at the park was the best time I've ever had. Please say something.

Mary: I'm a magnet for unavailable men, and I'm sick of it. It's simple. I know Fran, I respect her, and she loves you. So besides your tux measurements, that's all I need to know. Please go away.

Penelope (2006)

Directed by Mark Palansky

Cast: Christina Ricci (1), James McAvoy (2), Catherine O'Hara (3), Peter Dinklage (4), Reese Witherspoon (5), Russell Brand (6), and Simon Woods (7)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite quotes - "I like myself the way I am.", "But I had my own changes to cope with. And while I miss the face that had caused so much trouble, the world had moved on. And I was determined to find my own way, and determined to always follow my own heart, and my conscience.", and "It's not the power of the curse, it's the power you give the curse."


I ushered in the New Year in Athens with the view of the Acropolis from the comforts of my home away from home there. And throughout my holiday in Greece I did a lot of walking, especially on New Year's Eve. That gave me time to do a lot of reflection about 2012 and what I want for 2013. And for some reason, the scene from Penelope when she yells "I like myself the way I am" kept flashing in my mind. Do I like myself the way I am? 

My answer was no. 

I'm on a holiday with a friend I've known since I was 18. He and I spent Christmas and New Year together in Greece. (Yes, we are JUST FRIENDS) And he told me that I haven't changed much, and that he agreed with the assessment of 2 of our mutual friends, that I don't finish what I start, or that what I say I want to do or want to achieve, I never do or take steps to achieve them. We also talked about what perception do we want others to have of ourselves and what kind of person we want to be or work towards being. 

I think I have changed quite a bit. But hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion right. And if that is the perception people have of me, then no, I do not like myself the way I appear to be to others. And in all honesty, I don't like myself the way I am. Well, not entirely. Appearance wise, I would like to go back to being at a healthy weight and size. I want to be more presentable and when I look at the mirror, I want to be able to feel good about how I look. And I'd like people to perceive me as an intelligent, determined and sensible person, not ditzy, clumsy, and unworldly. 

So seeing as this is the first day of 2013, I am going to aim for the following...

1) I am going to live a healthier lifestyle so that I can attain a healthy weight and size.
2) I am going to read at least 1 book a month.
3) I am going to write at least 10 entries a month in this blog or write 120 entries in 2013.
4) I am going to start saving up for retirement.
5) I am going to "like myself the way I am" by 2014.

Yes, I got this all from the quote "I like myself the way I am". 

Now about the film Penelope, this is a film that I really love A LOT! Firstly, I love fairytales and the fact that the film has a magical and fairytale feel to it makes it a winner in my book. The story is about a girl named Penelope, who was born with a pig's nose and the only way to break the curse is if "one of (their) own kind claims this daughter as their own till death do they part". Now obviously there's a lot to learn from such a premise already. It's a film about seeing past the outside and loving a person for who he or she is. And this is evident in one of the early scenes in the film when Edward who has just seen Penelope's face runs off to the police to report her. 

Edward: Are you going to arrest her or not?
Policeman: On what grounds? Ugly blind date? If being ugly were a crime I'd have to arrest half the people in the city. 

It's sad isn't it, that some people cannot see past what's outside. However, we shouldn't forget the importance of looking presentable and I realise that how a person dresses and carries himself or herself is important especially since everyone is trying to get me to dress better. I know that while its more important to be a beautiful person on the inside, it doesn't hurt to take care of how you look on the outside because your outside is still a reflection of what kind of person you are on the inside. 

Penelope: Are you a fan of George Rockham?
Max: Who?
Penelope: The book you've got in your jacket.
Max: Right. You caught that huh? Well, yeah. Yeah, it's a great book.
Penelope: So you've read it.
Max: Well yeah.
Penelope: Funny I thought that was the only surviving copy.
Max: Well, you know what, I meant to read it, but the library wasn't always out and er... I saw it was a first edition and I figured it might be worth something.
Penelope: So you were stealing it?
Max: Yeah. I was stealing it.
Penelope: So you're a fan of the money.
Max: I'm a big fan of the money. Although it doesn't much care for me.
Penelope: Well maybe you and the money weren't meant to be...
Max: Hey I wouldn't go that far. Jinx me.
Penelope: There are 326 first editions in that room, of those, 300 are worth over 50 thousand, a dozen or so are worth over 25 thousand and I'm afraid there's only one that's valued under a 100. 
Max: Only one huh?
Penelope: A little novel, written by a little nobody, that never amounted to anything.
Max: You don't say... under a 100...
Penelope: I'm afraid so. And I'm afraid that means that it's time for...
Max: But your favourite just the same.
Penelope: What?
Max: I said your favourite just the same.
Penelope: I heard you... I...

Franklin: Sweetheart, what's wrong?
Penelope: I thought he just knew but it says it right here.
Franklin: Still he chose it. The 2000 books that aren't your favourite, he chose the one that is...

Now this whole exchange brings to mind the fact that some things are maybe meant to be. I don't know about you, but I am a believer of 'things always happen for a reason' and 'if it's meant to be, it's meant to be'. Call me a hopeless romantic, I don't care. So what if I am. This is who I am. But I mean, out of so many books, he picks the book that is worth so little in the monetary sense but worth so much in the eyes of the girl he ends up with. If that's not a sign, what is? (Another film that talks about signs can be found in another film that I really like titled He's Just Not That Into You.)

Leap Year (2010)

Directed by Anand Tucker (1)

Cast: Amy Adams (2), and Matthew Goode (3)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite quotes – “When my 60 seconds came around I realised I had everything I ever wanted... but nothing I really needed. And I think what I need is here. And I came all this way to see if you maybe think so too. If you do, well... I don't really have plans past that, which is new for me. So, Declan O'Callhan and I should probably learn your middle name, here is my proposal; I propose we not make plans, I propose we give this thing a chance and let it work out how it works out. So, what do you say, do you wanna not make plans with me?” & “Why don't you stop trying to control everything in the known universe. It's dinner. Have a little faith that it will all work out.”

I watched this film on the 29th of February but considering it didn’t get it published until today, it’s obvious I have been sitting on it for quite a while. Anyway, I can now say that I have proposed to a man on Leap Day, and on said man’s birthday no less. Was it a joke? Not really, I just wanted to wish a friend happy birthday and wanted to make it fun and different so this is what I texted him: “Hey hey! Happy Birthday! Oh, by the way, it being a leap year, and today being the day in question… Will you marry me?” First things first, before I go further, I have to declare that I am not making light of the tradition with the proposal made to my friend. It really was purely because I wanted to make it an interesting happy birthday message.

As for the result of that proposal – Well, let’s just say that I am still single and definitely not engaged. Although, my proposal is probably the worst one ever, considering the fact that I proposed via a whatsapp message and I didn’t even have a (diamond) ring! No wonder he didn’t say yes! 

As stated in the film, according to Irish tradition, a man who receives a marriage proposal on a leap day (29 February) must accept it. However, I wonder how many men have actually accepted a marriage proposal on a leap day. Does Ireland keep track of the numbers? I am honestly curious about this as it is a very interesting tradition. I read an article (click here for the article) which said that in Europe, men who refuse a proposal must buy the jilted woman 12 pairs of gloves and in Greece it is actually unlucky to marry on Leap Day. (PS: Dear George, instead of 12 pairs of gloves, please contact me to discuss other forms of compensation for the humiliation of being “jilted” =P Oh and interestingly, I think you look a little like Matthew Goode!)

Anyway, I digress. But it is probably because the film didn’t really charm me too much. Personally, I think Amy Adams did an excellent job playing the lead female character Anna Brady. And Matthew Goode did a decent job as the surly Irish innkeepr Declan O’Callaghan. And it’s not that I dislike the film, I just don’t like it enough to watch it more than once or twice. 

However, one of the things I really like about the film was the moment when Amy Adams’ Anna pulled the fire alarm to see what items her fiancé would grab from their apartment. It made me ask myself, what items will I grab with me from my house if it were burning to the ground? The other question would be, who would I save first if my house was on fire? What is really important in our lives? What would I save first in a situation like that?

“I had everything I ever wanted, but nothing I really needed”

There are many things we think we need, but we actually don’t. The bare necessities? Air, water, food, and clothes I guess. Maybe a house? Well at least a roof over your head. Money? Well you need money to buy the basics isn’t it? I really should ask myself this question the next time I mull over a purchase, is it something I really need?

The other thing I really like about the film is because it made me think about marriage and how important it is who you marry. Because when I get married, I want it to be for the right reasons and with someone who marries me for the right reasons. What you might ask are the right reasons. Well, get married because you love the person. Get married because you are in it for the long haul. Get married because you are willing to accept the person for who he or she is, warts and all. Get married if marriage is something both of you are willing to work hard at to sustain. Cos marriage isn’t as easy as some films make them out to be. 

(1) Anand Tucker has also directed the film Shopgirl (2005)

(2) Amy Adams has acted in films like Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), Catch Me If You Can (2002), The Wedding Date (2005), Enchanted (2007), Sunshine Cleaning (2009), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Julie & Julia (2009), The Fighter (2010), The Muppets (2011), and plays Lois Lane in the upcoming film Man Of Steel (2013)

(3) Matthew Goode has acted in films like Chasing Liberty (2004), Match Point (2005), Imagine Me & You (2006), and Watchmen (2009)

The Eclectic Reviewer thinks… Leap Year is a film to bring out of the DVD rack once every four years to have a little laugh, enjoy Amy Adams’ acting, and smile about the sweetness that true love can bring to your life. Oh and watching the scene with the elderly couples at the dinner table makes me wonder and hope that I will have a marriage and love like theirs. Not a great movie, but why not? (2.5 of 5)

* Movie Poster from Wikipedia

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The Vow (2012)

Director: Michael Sucsy (1)

Cast: Channing Tatum (2), Rachel McAdams (3), Sam Neil (4), Jessica Lange (5), Scott Speedman (6)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite quote - 
"I chose to stay with him for all the things that he had done right, and not to leave him for the one thing that he had done wrong. I chose to forgive him" and "You accepted me for who I am, and not for what you wanted me to be"

Just a week ago, my uncle whom I am pretty close to had just gotten married. And it got me thinking about marriage and having someone special to go home to. And when they were saying their vows, I was wondering if I would one day find someone special to say those marriage vows to. And that if and when I am getting married, I would write my own vows, unique to me and my partner and say those vows with God and my family and friends as witness. In the film, I really enjoyed the unique vows said by Leo and Paige played by Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. 

Paige: I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not, and to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home. 

Leo: I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love. I vow to love you, and no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other. 

Wedding vows are not to be taken lightly. When you say your "I dos" you are promising to love that person, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, till death do you part. The Vow is about this very promise between a man and a woman. Not everyone gets put to the test in the same manner as the characters in the film. And of course we hope people don't have to ever go through this. But if they do, or if I do in the future face a situation like this, I hope that I will be able to get through it like these characters have. 

The quote that affected me the most in this film was uttered by Paige Collins' mother played by Jessica Lange. If it happened to me, would I be able to forgive my husband for cheating on me? Would I be able to look past his one discretion and stay with him? I don't know if I can or will. And I do hope I will never have to face such a dilemma. But, I do believe that that quote, is what a marriage is about. You will have tough times, you might make each other angry or do things that hurt your partner, but the important thing is that you have promised to keep trying and working on the marriage no matter what happens. 

The other quote that struck me deeply was said by Rachel McAdams' Paige Collins - "You accepted me for who I am, and not who you wanted me to be". That is what a marriage partnership is about as well. No one is perfect, but you might be that perfect someone for one other imperfect person. I am who I am. And one day, I might meet someone who accepts me for who I am, and will compliment me the same way I compliment him. 

You know how jigsaw puzzle pieces need to fit perfectly to form the picture. I think that is how I see relationships. The jigsaw piece is made just the way it is, and if you have to force a piece to fit with another, the end result is not the way its supposed to be. If its meant to be, its meant to be isn't it?