The Essence of Grand Gestures

We all remember that classic movie moment when John Cusack playing Lloyd Dobler executes one of the most definitive grand gestures of movie history... standing in the yard of his recently broken up with girlfriend Diane Court. Hoisting the large stereo over his head to play "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, a song with deep connection to both characters, raw with emotion after the heartbreaking split. A bold move no doubt about it, and a valiant effort at showcasing his deeply rooted affection in the most unexpected of ways. A grand gesture of the most romantic type. In the heat of the moment; the irrational, unplanned, unanticipated reaction may sometimes lead to the most heartfelt, emotionally charged, honest actions.

Some of the other most memorable romantic grand gestures of classic movie history can be found in movies such as this one "Love Actually." In this scenario, Mark, played by Andrew Lincoln shows up at his best friend's front door posing as a caroler and bearing cue cards expressing sentiments of love for Juliet, his best friends' wife. Juliet whom was under the impression that Mark held serious disdain for her, then realized just how mistaken she was.

 In this 1998 hit film "The Wedding Singer," Robbie (Adam Sandler) the musician hired to perform at Julia's (Drew Barrymore) wedding, Robbie can't let Julia marry her cheating fiance Glen, so he not only crashes their flight playing the song he wrote for Julia, "I Want to Grow Old With You." Sitting on the plane, listening to Robbie, tears start streaming down Julia's cheek as she realizes Robbie is singing this to her. 

A movie we all know and love from the late 90's "10 Things I Hate About You," conveys an extraordinarily uncharacteristic grand gesture. Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) breaks out of his assumed bad-boy persona to serenade Kat (Julia Stiles) with the song "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." This characteristically subdued bad boy dances across the bleachers as the school's marching band plays the instrumentals of the song as Patrick's performance ensues.

Last but not least, one of my favorites "Pretty Woman" Richard Gere's character Edward Lewis finds himself single and in need of an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love. Edward Lewis decides he can't let Vivian (Julia Roberts) go after their "business arrangement" ends he attempts to be the knight in shining armor she's dreamed of, against his fear of heights he climbs her fire escape presents her with roses and asks what happens next. She tells him that she "rescues him right back."


 It is within these sacred moments of film history that we note some of the most romantic grand gestures ever to be captured on camera. These films that we typically associate as Romantic Comedies, or the stereotypical 'chick flick' are the very basis of the dreams and fantasies of a "hopeless romantic." However, sometimes the most grand of gestures, come in the smallest of packages. Be it as small as a tiny note you would find underneath the windshield wipers of your car that says "I love you," or a home cooked candle lit dinner for two romantic gestures don't always have to involve a big spectacle or public proclamation. The key word is grand, and grand in relation to the emotion and genuine feeling behind the gesture will always make an expression of love sentimental and influential.