My list of favorite film love stories available on DVD now continues:

“Bitch.” “Bastard.”

Two for the Road (1967)

Yes, folks, yet another Audrey Hepburn flick. The lady really knew how to select effective love stories to act in. It was her specialty, and most of them were winners—especially this sophisticated sparkler directed by Stanley Donen. Two for the Road is about a married couple played by Hepburn and Albert Finney (major eye candy back then with a heart melting smile), who—as they take a road trip to the south of France—recall other European trips they’ve made over the years. We see them first meet, get married, have a child and survive various infidelities. The film does have its share of big laughs—and the cinematography is glorious—but at its center is an honest, romantic—and sometimes very painful—look at marriage. As Donen takes us on this journey, he tells the tale in a non-linear fashion so the story is always jumping from past to present and back again. It’s a trip definitely worth taking. Hepburn and Finney make you root for this couple, who still love each other despite their problems. And when they call each other by their terms of endearment, you’ll wish you could continue on the road with them forever. Oh, and Audrey’s fabulous outfits are to die for. Henry Mancini once again delivers a memorable musical score, and even a young Jacqueline Bisset briefly shows up in a minor role. Mr. Donen offers an interesting commentary on the restored DVD, which every gay man should own.

“See ya, Katie.” “See ya, Hubbell.”

The Way We Were (1973)

Everyone should know this classic film. Streisand and Redford making movie magic as star-crossed lovers—and that Oscar-winning song (big sigh)—it’s one of the best love stories. And the DVD ain’t bad either. This remastered Special Edition from 1999 includes a making-of documentary with new interviews by Barbra Streisand, director Sydney Pollack, screenwriter Arthur Laurents and composer Marvin Hamlisch. Mr. Pollack also offers an audio commentary. So get out your box of tissues (you’ll need them, trust me) and your bowl of popcorn and curl up on the couch on a cold winter’s night with your significant other and watch The Way We Were. That’s an order. And a bit of trivia: Warren Beatty was originally offered the role of Hubbell Gardner. He probably would’ve been very good—but I think I’d miss Redford’s beautiful blonde locks.

“La-di-da, la-di-da, la la.”

Annie Hall (1977)

Woody Allen’s comic masterpiece won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Diane Keaton, who deservedly received the high honor for her delightful performance as Annie. She’s wacky and weird and wonderful—and she can sing, too (her “Seems Like Old Times” is a highlight of the film). Christopher Walken also briefly appears as Annie’s odd brother,

Duane, and, of course, he’s hysterically funny. I would love to hear a commentary by Allen or Keaton—or even have a documentary on the film, which—according to the collectible booklet in the DVD—was originally two hours and twenty minutes long. Allen cut the movie down to one hour and thirty-three minutes. Oh, wouldn’t it be great to see the deleted scenes? No such luck on the current DVD, which only has the brief booklet and the theatrical trailer. Annie Hall is a quirky love story with reality and fantasy sequences beautifully intertwined by director Allen, who—along with Keaton—makes us care deeply for their characters as we ride along on their rollercoaster of a relationship.

“There’s an island in the Mediterranean called Lesbian, and all its inhabitants are dykes.”

Beautiful Thing (1996)

One of the best gay love stories ever. It’s a British film about two teenage boys falling in love. Jonathan Harvey does a wonderful job of adapting his stage play to the big screen, and all of the characters are perfectly cast—especially Linda, the concerned mother of one of the boys, and Leah, the sassy neighbor girl who always listens to Mama Cass. And I have to add that Mama Cass is a very important character in the movie as her glorious music helps us to care about the blossoming romance between the young men. When the boys are dancing together to “Dream a Little Dream of Me”, you won’t be able to stop smiling. Unfortunately, the DVD only features three trailers for other films (which is a pet peeve of mine; I always want to see the trailer for the movie I’m watching at the time).

“There’s so few nice surprises in life. Seems to me that it’d be kind of a shame to squander one of them, don’t you?”

Big Eden (2000)

This film is a small gem. Gay artist Henry Hart (played by the wonderful Arye Gross) returns to Big Eden, his hometown in Montana, to care for his ailing grandfather, and he’s reunited with his best friend from high school (played by a hunky Tim DeKay), whom he has always secretly loved. But when a local man named Pike begins to secretly cook dinners for Henry and his grandfather, an interesting love triangle develops. The back of the DVD case says the movie is about home and family and finding a place where we are loved. I can’t say it any better. Big Eden is a sweet and funny movie by director/writer Thomas Bezucha with great supporting performances by Veanne Cox (as Henry’s New York friend), Louise Fletcher (as his wise Montana friend) and the delightful Nan Martin (as the busybody Widow Thayer, who steals every scene she is in). This is the best DVD on my list because it includes a director’s commentary plus a second disc of deleted scenes and cast/crew interviews. And by the time you reach the end of the film, you just might want to run off to Montana yourself to find your own Big Eden to explore. I’ve definitely got it on my list of Things to Do.

So that’s my list of cinematic love stories to watch with your lover. Let me know if you do. I’d be interested to hear your opinions. Ciao for now!

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Marc Harshbarger lives in Chicago with his partner and two spoiled cats, Shubert and Mr. Grant. His first novel, Deep Dish, was published last year. He is currently a staff writer for Q Netwerk and can be contacted at m.harshbarger@q-netwerk.com. You can find out more about Marc at www.myspace.com/deepdishdrama.

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