‘Tis the season — for engagements, that is. It’s estimated that 15% of proposals will take place on Valentine’s Day! Love is in the air for all couples, especially those ready to take the next step.
As collegiettes at Emerson, we’re not quite ready to write our vows, but that doesn’t mean we can’t muse about that special day somewhere down the line. For now, in our media-obsessed film school (ha!) culture, we can relish in movie magic.
Let’s take a look at some of the best engagement scenes put on film (take note — choose one of these movies for your V-Day!):
The Movie: Sweet Home Alabama
The Couple: Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon) and Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey)
The Setting: Tiffany & Co.
Sweet Home Alabama starts with a bang — or bling, in this case. At the beginning of the movie, up and coming fashion designer Melanie Carmichael is led into a dark building by her boyfriend, charming multi-millionaire Andrew Hennings. The lights flash on to reveal they’re in Tiffany’s on 5th Ave in NYC. Andrew gets down on one knee and proposes in the middle of the famed jewelery store. The most exciting part? MELANIE GETS TO PICK OUT WHATEVER RING SHE WANTS. FROM TIFFANY’S. Swoon away, ladies.
The Movie: Stepmom
The Couple: Isabel Kelly (Julia Roberts) and Luke Harrison (Ed Harris)
The Setting: Their bedroom
Stepmom is such a mom movie, in the sense that it probably makes more sense if you have ever been a mother or stepmother. It stars Susan Sarandon as a terminally ill mother of two and Julia Roberts playing the titular stepmom. The story flourishes wonderfully around their troubled relationship, but the engagement scene is worth noting. Here, Luke presents Isabel with a box — filled with a spool of thread. He then gives a great little speech about “not letting the thread break” and uses the string to slip the ring onto her finger — adorable!
The Movie: When Harry Met Sally
The Couple: Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Allbright (Meg Ryan)
The Setting: A New Year’s Eve Party
When Harry Met Sally is — and few will argue against it — the best romantic comedy of all time. It tackles the age old question, “Can men and women ever be JUST friends?”
The answer, according to this movie, is no. Harry and Sally spend years fighting back feelings (and fighting in general) until the very end of the movie, when Harry rushes back to Sally to tell her how he really feels about her. The script, written by the always delightful Nora Ephron, even gave us the wonderful quote “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want that the rest of your life start as soon as possible!”
The Movie: Pride and Prejudice
The Couple: Mr. Darcy (Matthew McFayden) and Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightley)
The Setting: Outside, in the pouring rain.
Is there anything more charming than a British accent? (Answer, no; please see our blog on Downton Abbey.) In this visually stunning adaptation, Keira Knightley portrays the headstrong Elizabeth Bennett, whose tumlutuous relationship with the much wealthier Mr. Darcy leads them both to succumb to their feelings for one another. It might also be noted that this is the ‘angriest’ engagement scene on the list — what seems to be a lover’s spat is really actually Darcy’s declaration of his love, and the tension between them is palpable.
The Movie: Walk the Line
The Couple: Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and June Carter (Reese Witherspoon)
The Setting: On stage during a live performance of their hit “Jackson”
Ms. Witherspoon makes a second appearance on our list, this time as country music legend June Carter. Long admired by Johnny Cash, she has repeatedly turned down his declarations of love and proposals. Why? This biopic explores Cash’s struggle with drugs and alcohol, the tragic death of his older brother in their youth, and his issues with his resentful father. Cash asks June to marry him onstage at a concert in 1968, where she finally says yes. The best part about this proposal? It actually happened!
Did I miss your favorite? Tweet us at @HCEmerson or me personally at @lormora!