It’s difficult to say exactly what creates an incredible onscreen kiss, but it has to be a combination of the chemistry between the actors, the tension that has led up to this point in the story—just like in a book—and the dialogue that accompanies the event. Everyone has his or her favorite movie kisses. Most popular in recent polls were the waterfall scene in The Last of the Mohicans, Twilight (honestly, I didn’t make it that far through the movie), Romeo and Juliet, Gone With the Wind, Katie and Hubbell (Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford) in The Way We Were, that famous upside down kiss in Spiderman, and Moira Kelly and D.B. Sweeney in The Cutting Edge.
Here are a few of mine:
The Notebook – Ryan and Rachel in the rain
Allie: “Why didn’t you write me? Why? It wasn’t over for me, I waited for you for seven years. But now it’s too late.”
Noah: “I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you everyday for a year.”
Allie: “You wrote me?”
Noah: “Yes. It wasn’t over, it still isn’t over.”
Allie McGraw and Ryan O’Neal in Love Story
“Look, Cavalleri, I know your game, and I’m tired of playing it. You are the supreme Radcliffe smart-a[lec]. The best. You can put down anything in pants. But verbal volleyball is not my idea of a relationship. And if that’s what you think it’s all about, why don’t you just go back to your music, and good luck. See, I think you’re scared. You put up a big glass wall to keep from getting hurt. But it also keeps you from getting touched. It’s a risk, isn’t it, Jenny? At least I had the guts to admit what I felt. Someday, you’re gonna have to come up with the courage to admit you care.”
They stop walking and Jenny says: “I care”
Angie Dickenson and John Wayne in Rio Bravo
Gorgeous young Angie says, “I’m glad we tried it a second time. It’s better when two people do it”
Body Heat – Man oh man did Kathleen Turner and William Hurt ever have chemistry in this flick. Whew! He breaks the bay window with a porch chair and finds the sultry femme fatale waiting for him on the stairs. Wowzer, what a kiss.
“You’re not too smart, are you? I like that in a man.”
Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn in The Terminator
“I came across time for you, Sarah. I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
What could be more romantic, eh?
William and Anna (Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts) after the press conference in Notting Hill.
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray after dancing to I’ve Had the Time of My Life in Dirty Dancing
Princess Bride – Robin Wright and Carey Elwes
The narrator says to his grandson: “Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.”
Robin Wright actually has two great movie kisses. Besides her Princess Buttercup masterpiece, she ran through the pool at the Washington Monument to kiss Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump.
Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger in Jerry McGuire
“I’m looking for my wife…If this is where it has to happen, then this is where it has to happen. I’m not letting you get rid of me. How about that?…Our company had a very good night. A very, very big night, but it wasn’t complete. It wasn’t nearly close to being in the same vicinity as complete, because I couldn’t share it with you. I couldn’t hear your voice, or laugh about it with you. I missed my wife. We live in a cynical world, a cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors. I love you. You complete me.” (Earlier they’d seen a deaf guy sign these words to his girl in an elevator.)
Dorothy tearfully interrupts: “Aw, shut up. Just shut up. You had me at hello. You had me at hello.”
To see an incredible listing of famous film kisses, you can check out this website. http://www.filmsite.org/filmkisses1.html
I don’t even know how long this collection of film kisses is, because I couldn’t get through them all, but here’s the most extensive listing of movie kisses I’ve ever seen:
Did I mention your favorite or did you see it in the video?
Can you name five of the movies in this video montage?
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Great kisses! The one between Aragorn and Arwen is a favorite. To think they waited sixty years for each other, and she’s several thousand years old (I wonder what kind of skin cream she uses, lol!)I recognized GWTW of course, and The Notebook, and An Officer and a Gentleman. What a fun way to start the day! Great post.
Awww. I love a good movie kiss, especially those gentle brush of lips in the old b&w movies. And that Aragorn & Arwen—very nice. Thanks Cheryl!
What a great post. Sort of gets me in the mood to work on my story. 🙂
Linda F
Jennie, Liv Tyler is just gorgeous, isn’t she? I love that she’s not tiny and starved, yet she’s one of the most beautiful women ever.
Oh, yes, Tanya. I think Aragorn on his mighty steed was my wallpaper for at least a year.
Glad to be an inspiration, Linda!
Hi Cheryl,
I have to say that you can find some of the most interesting things to post. I would have never have known that there is a link to find out these things. Have a wonderful day
Walk in peace and harmony,
Melinda
Thank you, Melinda! My mind works in mysterious ways, I guess. LOL Glad you enjoyed the blog today.
One is Hilary Swank in P.S. I Love You – the one where she’s wearing the purple hat – LOVE that movie!
Cheryl… I love your words… combustion of emotion.
That’s the first kiss, isn’t it. The one where it goes deeper than just bodies, it’s a meeting of hearts, minds, and souls bonding…
I love the Terminator kiss…especially with the blending of passion and terror! The declarations of love, like in Jerry Maguire, are huge. Long awaited kisses, blended with tears–as in Breakfast at Tiffany’s–still make me cry. Every romance author should feel that kiss down to their toes, and for us sweet authors, the kiss is everything.
As for 5 movies from the montage:
* Pirates of Caribbean
* Braveheart
* Ghost
* Officer & Gentleman
* Lord of the Rings, Return of the King
Thanks for the fun post! have a wonderful day!
Thanks, Ashley! I cry buckets at movies. Jerry McQuire is a perfectly plotted movie, CONFLICT/GOAL/MOTIVATION-wise. It’s brilliant.
Anyone know which movie that Tom Hanks one is?
It was Forest Gump!! I loved most of those movie kisses, but I would say my top ones would be:
From Here to Eternity- The beach scene is a classic
Love Story-any kissing scene in this movie
The Quiet Man- John Wayne finds Maureen O’Hara in the dark cottage, with the wind blowing through a broken window, a door slams, she looks up and sees him, as she is trying to run from him, he grabs her and kisses her. She struggles, but then melts into his kiss…
Robin Hood Prince of Theives–The wedding kiss-then its interupted by Sean Connery… againa classic.
Officer and A Gentleman–The best end of movie kiss and then the girl gets picked up in the arms of a guy in Navy Whites…what’s not to like.
It doesn’t look like Robin Wright to me.
The Quiet Man, Kathleen, is that the one were there’s a storm raging all around them? It’s symbolic of their tempestuous relationship, yes?
Okay, what is that very first movie?
A Room With A View, sitting on the balcony overlooking Florence, Italy. Loved it!
Jenn could probably name every movie in the montage!
I saw:
Casablanca
Gone with the Wind
Breakfast at Tiffanys
Lost in Translation
Ghost
Officer and a Gentleman
“Lost in Translation”
I wondereed what that Bill Murray clip was about! Thank you.
Yes, I’m hoping Jenn stops by.
Cheryl, Wow! Nothing quite gets to me in a movie or a good romance is that kiss when two people commit themselves (mind, body & soul) to each other. Turns me into mush. I wonder what male movie viewers think of the kissing scenes? I know my husband was uncomfortable with those scenes, but I never asked him why they made him so fidgety.
One of my favorites from the video clips was the one between John Wayne and Angie Dickinson. When he towers over her he seems so extraordinarily gentle and I think that translates into the kiss.
Melinda’s right. You do come up with some interesting blogs. Good job!
Thank you, Linda! Hopefully I’ll be inspired to do some kissing in my WIP today. Nathan and Ella will be doing the kissing, that is.
Isn’t Angie Dickenson just breathtakingly lovely in that movie? You know, I admire her to pieces for the unglamorous role she played in Pay it Forward–old and puffy and a homeless alcoholic. That’s another perfectly plotted movie. I can teach a whole class on it.
You included three of my favorites: Rio Bravo,
Dirty Dancing, and Princess Bride. I’d also add
John Wayne & Maureen O’Hara from McClintock and
Patrick Swayze & Demi Moore in Ghost.
Pat Cochran
Hi Cheryl, what a terrific post. I think everybody has already mentioned my favorites, but if I had to pick just one, it would be Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. Oh, you can almost smell their reluctance to part. I got to show Romeo and Juliet a bazillion times when I taught H.S. freshmen and we studied R and J.
Last of the Mohicans is a very close second, and Notting Hill probably ties it.
Showed LOTM to the students in American Lit once in a while too. Whew, like Linda, I better get writing.
AYes, yes YES, Liv Tyler is absolutely gorgeous. Has anybody ever seen Armageddon? It sounds weird, but it’s such a love story, on so many levels. Sigh.
oxoxoxoxoxoxox
Ghost is a favorite of mine, too, Pat.
I have seen Armageddon, and Liv Tyler was the best thing about it. My daughter loves that movie.
I may have to do a post on romantic dances–I have a few walzting through my head just now.
pun intended lol
We took dancing lessons for Christi’s wedding. I’m still horrible at it LOL.
Cher – these are great! Loved the You Tube addition you put up. I think Dirty Dancing (who could forget our dear Patrick Swayze) when he’s dancing with Baby, is a favorite, but also the one from the Notebook gets me every time. And the one from Love Actually! Oh wow, great kisses. .. where’s my hubby when I need him? I want one right now!
And here I am!!!
Here you go. 🙂
Love Actually – Jamie and the housekeeper Colin Firth and Sienna Guillory
The Terminal – Viktor and Amelia Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Casablanca – Rick and Ilsa Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones – Anakin and Padme Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl – Elizabeth and Will Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom
Braveheart – William and Murrin Mel Gibson and Catherine McCormack
Lost in Translation – Bob and Charlotte Bill Murrey and Scarlet Johansson
Unknown
Ghost – Sam and Molly Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore
An Officer and a Gentleman – Zack and Paula Richard Gere and Debra Winger
The Terminator – Sarah and Kyle Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Aragorn and Arwen Viggo Mortenson and Liv Tyler
Unknown Rain Movie
Titanic – Rose and Jack Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio
Never Been Kissed – Josie and Sam Drew Barrymore and Michael Vartan
Gone With the Wind – Rhett and Scarlett Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh
Just Like Heaven – David and Elizabeth Mark Ruffalo and Reece Withersppon
Garden State – Andrew and Sam Zack Braff and Natalie Portman
When Harry Met Sally – Harry and Sally Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
The Notebook – Noah and Allie Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams
A Knight’s Tale – Will and Jocelyn Heath Ledger and Shannon Sossamyn
Forrest Gump – Forrest and Jenny Tom Hanks and Robin Wright-Penn
From Here To Eternity – Robert and Karen Montgomery Clift and Deborah Kerr
Just Married – Tom and Sarah Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy
PS, I Love You – Holly and William Hilary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Pretty Woman – Edward and Viv Richard Gere and Julia Roberts
Love Story – Oliver and Jennifer Ryan O’Neill and Ali McGraw
Twilight – Edward and Bella Robert Pattison and Kristin Stewart
Unknown
Serendipity – Jonathan and Sara John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale
Funny, Charlene. I was thinking a little while ago that everyone’s hubby is going to be wondering why they are getting smooched on tonight. LOL
YEAH, JENN! An expert to the rescue!
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Love Actually. Maybe? Is it about a bunch of different couples? I think I have but can’t remember it.
I’ve seen The Terminal, but had forgotten it.
I loved Just Like Heaven and think Mark Ruffalo is hot because he looks like a MAN and not a boy. LOL I love him in Thirteen Going on 30 – is that the nsame of it, with Jennifer Garner? Such a cute show and so romantic.
I think I’ve seen Just Married, but I’m not an Ashton Kusher fan, so I may have blocked it. lol
I’m making myself a list of movies to watch for inspiration.
Thank YOUUU!
Now I’m going to watch again for your unknowns.
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2191458585/
Jenn, that’s Gerard Butler with Hillary Swank – there are 2 love interests for her in this flick
I don’t think anyone mentioned my favorite kiss in a movie – First Knight – Richard Gere and Julia Ormond as Sir Lancelot and Guineviere.
Great topic for a blog, Cheryl! You covered all my faves. I enjoyed that immensely!
Blessings,
Laurie kingery
THE OUTLAW’S LADY,
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historicals, Aug.’09
JENN! “Unknown rain movie?” It’s Breakfast At Tfffany’s – one of my faves! For shame! 😉
(Of the others you didn’t know, I didn’t know them either.)
Cheryl, you need to watch Love Actually 🙂 It’s a great ensemble movie.
I don’t think anyone mentioned Dear Frankie – there’s a sweet kiss between Gerard Butler and Emily Mortimer in that one.
Thank you, Mary!
Hey, Jenn, loved your brilliant list, but with one correction. The guy in the hot beach scene with Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity was Burt Lancaster, not Montgomery Clift, who had another role in the movie.
Nobody mentioned one of my favorites–the Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck kiss in Spellbound where all the empty doors open.
Yeah, I’m showing my age…:)
Good one, Jeanne!
Thanks, Laurie!
Elizabeth, you are so right about Burt Lancaster.
What a fun post! Let’s see…I love the end of “An Officer and a Gentleman.” My favorite, though, just might be the gazebo scene in “The Sound of Music.” A bit corny, but I still love it!
I can’t believe I missed this yesterday. I love it.
I can’t decide my favorite but you had a LOT of fantastic ones here. Each one I’d see, I’d think, “No THAT one is the best.”
I do love the kiss at the end of The Cutting Edge. Fantastic moment.
<3 brittany murphy
Looks like this “Robin Hood” movie would be a great movie to watch just like the movie about King Arthur.-.-
i love the acting skills of Gerard Butler. he is definitely a great action star.*”~
Gerard Butler is the favorite actor of my sister because he got this macho factor..*~
i think that gerard butler is one hell of a macho actor:~~
i remember Patrick Swayze with Jennifer Grey on Dirty Dancing movie-`*
Gerard Butler is definitely a macho guy that needs macho roles `;’
farewell Patrick Swayze, we will really miss this very talented guy-`:
robin hood movie has got lots of action and great cinematograpy”;-
i love action movies and my idol is none other than Gerard Butler. this guy really rocks “.`
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