Good Romantic Lines Are Also Clever

In many instances, romantic lines in books and movies are not just romantic – they’re also clever. By clever, I mean that behind the words are one or more philosophical considerations that, in my opinion, add to the impact and romantic value of the line. To fully appreciate the cleverness and romanticism of the line, one of course must understand and appreciate the fullness of everything that preceded it. For example, in the wonderful movie, Casablanca, think about the depth of Humphrey Bogart’s famous line, “We’ll always have Paris.”

There are many excellent romantic lines – more than just the Top Ten. We’ll ever forget Tom Cruise, in Jerry Maguire, when he says, “You complete me.” Or Billy Crystal, in When Harry Met Sally, when he says, “I came here tonight because when you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” And I love Jack Nicholson’s line, in As Good As It Gets, “You make me want to be a better man.”

In my latest contemporary romance novel, Fear of Feeling Loved, the heroine, Marcia, thinks about the importance of “being” – existentially – as a person, as a human being. And after starting to fall in love with Jack -- and at times underestimating him -- she starts to wonder “what it would be like just to be with a man.” Later in the book, after having an extremely romantic and loving moment up in the cupola atop Jack’s house while watching sunset, the following conversation between them takes place:
“The sunset, just for the record, was the best sunset I’ve ever experienced,” Jack said. “But that’s not what I’m talking about."
"Okay. Then what was it that was ‘very important’ to you?”
“We were.”
"We were…”
“Exactly.”

Okay all you romantics out there – what are some of your favorite cleverly romantic lines?

Bill