We all have movies that we would never admit to loving as much as we do. These are movies that are either particulary girly or silly, but are movies we love to watch over and over and over again. These are movies that we will always love to watch and probably always will. These are my five guilty pleasure movies that also happen to be based on equally awesome books.
The Notebook (2004)
Ok. This is a given. I know that. There is hardly one woman alive that doesn’t LOVE this movie. Its sweet, it’s endearing, and we all cry at the end. Even the tough ones shed a tear (or two) at this movie.
This movie is also based on the book of the same name by Nicholas Sparks who is famous for his tear-producing, and sickeningly sweet (and sad) novels of love and sometimes loss.
The book and film entwine the audience in this tumultuous love that is so amazing that you know they end up together, even when she ends up engaged to someone else. And admit it, you wanted Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams to get married in real life too. (They dated but later broke up).
All in all this film and novel do an amazing job tugging at your heartstrings and tear ducts. I have even seen a man or two cry in joy and sadness at the movie. That’s why this is my number one guilty pleasure movie and book because, c’mon how many people admit they LOVE this film?
Clueless (1995)
This is not a direct remake from a novel but a loose retelling of the classic novel Emma by Jane Austen. This movie came out in 1995 and was a surprising hit (and we got Paul Rudd out of this film which we should always be thankful for).
I LOVE LOVE this movie. I know it’s like so over the top (had to) but it’s also a really sweet coming of age film about love. The naïve nature of Cher and her friends followed by each of their revelations about love and life is just so charming.
Cher learns she doesn’t need someone just like her (or a guy that is gay for that matter) and that the down to earth and smart Paul Rudd is just what she needs. Dionne knows her boyfriend really loves her and an almost death situation solidifies that. Tie learns that she was fine the way she was before and the slacker with a heart is what she wants. All these are real people that we can know in our lives.
I think how realistically these characters are portrayed makes it relatable. We might not all be rich and powerful but we all date someone we later realize is the complete opposite of what we want.
It’s sweet, and loveable and funny. I watch it every time it comes on TV and sometimes even pop in the DVD. And like most of the world can quote the whole movie.
Legally Blonde (2001)
This is another film that I am ashamed of how much I love! It stars the loveable Reese Witherspoon and the dorky attractive Luke Wilson. It is based on a novel of the same name written by Amanda Brown.
I’m not saying it’s not a great movie that you shouldn’t like. I’m merely saying that I should love it as much as I do. Witherspoon’s portrayal is so funny and silly and charismatic.
I think the best part of the film is the ending. Because by this point you want Elle (Witherspoon) to succeed so badly, that when she finally does, it’s gratifying. She gets the conviction, she gets the man who loves her truly, and she is finally happy. You can feel sad after the movie.
I love watching it. It is a hilarious movie. Even if you don’t like the story, Jennifer Coolidge’s performance is priceless in its own rite.
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
I read this novel by Arthur Golden before I saw the film of the same name in 2005. I started this book on a Saturday after noon, and on Sunday I laid on the couch for like 8 hours straight and finished the novel. I COULD NOT peel my self away.
The reason I put this novel and movie on this particular list though is because of the love story element. Even though its slightly creepy that Chioyo/Sayuri is in love with the chairman who is like 30 when she is like 10 and spends her life trying to get closer to him, it is sweet.
Her life is interesting and while she never feels love towards anyone other than the chairman, I spent the novel hoping she would. The longer the story goes on though, you realize the depth of her feelings and you want her to end up with him. When she does at the end, she says a sweet line of love and they kiss. Her first kiss of true love.
“Can’t you see? Every step I have taken, since I was that child on the bridge, has been to bring myself closer to you.”
I could watch it over and over again and still feel gratified by the ending.
Shopgirl (2005)
I didn’t realize that actor and comedian Steve Martin was such a brilliant writer till I read this novella and saw the film. It is well written and the characters are so likeable. The movie is based on the novella by Martin and it stars the beautiful Claire Danes and the sexy Jason Schwartzman.
In the film, Mirabelle (Danes) is the titular shop girl at Saks evening glove counter. She is then courted by the older and elegant Ray (Steve Martin) and the young and still trying to figure himself out Jeremy (Schwartzman).
The things that makes this movie great is that you know she is going to fall in love with Jeremy by the end but it’s the journey she goes though that is the point of the story. She dates Ray but they don’t work out.
I just found the movie and novella comforting and something that I could read or watch over and over. This is a little less well known than the other ones of this list but it ones of those movies that I could watch in any state of mind.
