The Life of leg.louisa

Dear beloved readers,

I hope you are all having a great day, not just a good day! 

Welp, the inevitable has happened. Like every other year since I was probably 14, with the autumnal dip in temperature has come a yearning in my soul to do nothing but watch rom-coms. When I think of Fall, my mind is overwhelmed with images of steaming cups of coffee, orange and yellow trees lining the streets at dusk, and curling up with a blanket in front of a glowing TV. So, naturally, the past few months have featured not just a resurgence of the cinemaphile in me—though I have watched more movies since August than I probably have since high school—but also a fixation on romantic movies of every kind. More specifically, the monologues featured in those movies. Rarely does something tug at my heartstrings more than watching a man confess his feelings for the woman he loves. So, today I thought I would talk about my three favorite rom-com monologues. Enjoy!

Starting off with the most Fall movie ever: When Harry Met Sally (1989). I actually just rewatched this gem in a Parisian theatre in the 10eme. It was as classic as ever and I bawled my eyes out at the end and immediately moved it into my Letterboxd top 4. 

“How about this way? I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend a day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes, and I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s new years eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you wanna spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Fun fact you might not have known, the actual scene is a bit different from the original screenplay written by Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner! I think Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan did such a good job embodying the characters and the way the scene flows compared to how it’s written is just a testament to that. 

Next up we have the 2020 remake of Jane Austen’s classic, Emma. This scene is more of a back and forth than monologue, but I digress. 

K: I must tell you, Emma, what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the next moment.

E: Well then do not speak it. If you wish to speak to me, as a friend, or to ask my opinion…as a friend. I will hear whatever you like.

K: As a friend, Emma, that I fear is a word. Tell me, Emma, have I no chance of ever succeeding? My dearest Emma, for dearest you will always be. My dearest, most beloved Emma, tell me at once. I cannot make speeches. If I, if I- if I loved you less then I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. I have-I have lectured you, and I’ve blamed you, and you’ve borne it as no other woman in England could have borne it. God knows I’ve been a very indifferent lover, but you understand me? You understand my feelings? … Will you marry me?

Mr. Knightley’s proposal has been tattooed on the walls of my brain since I first watched the movie in the fall of 2020. This scene in particular is lifted word for word from Jane Austen’s 1815 novel. If you know me you’ve probably heard me talk at least once about my favorite podcast ever, Vulgar History. It just kicked off a season about the Regency Era of England, and the debut episode was about Jane Austen’s life and accomplishments. I highly recommend giving it a listen!

And last but not least, from Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Mark Darcy’s ineloquent confession to the titular heroine.

D: I don’t think you’re an idiot at all. I mean, there are elements of the ridiculous about you. Your mother’s pretty interesting. And you really are an appallingly bad public speaker. And um, you tend to let whatever’s in your head come out of your mouth without much consideration of the consequences. I realize that when I met you at the turkey curry buffet that I was unforgivably rude and…wearing a reindeer jumper that my mother had given me the day before. But, the thing is, um…what I’m trying to say, very inarticulately is—that um…in fact, perhaps despite appearances…I like you. Very much.

B: Huh. Apart from the smoking, and the drinking, and the vulgar mother, and the verbal diarrhea-

D: No—I like you. Very much. Just as you are.

The beauty of all three of these professions of love is, I think, contingent on them being written by women. Nora Ephron, Jane Austen, and Helen Fielding capture beautifully what it is that women not only want to hear but what they want to be to their partners. To be known inside and out, for an incredibly long time, and to be seen for exactly what you are but loved regardless is all one can ask for from love, though it’s surprisingly scarce. Another lovely aspect that the three share is that none of them include anything about beauty. The women’s character is the object of affection rather than her appearance, which again, seems to be almost fantastical compared to reality. 

Whether you’re single or in a relationship, we can all stand to learn something from rom-coms. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to commence my annual rewatch of Love Actually and probably cry when Colin Firth learns Portuguese to bridge the communication gap between himself and the girl he meets in the French countryside. 

Bisous,

leg.louisa