I love that moment when you are watching a movie or tv show and the two characters have that moment of romantic tension... and they don't necessarily work it out or anything but as the observer you know for sure that there is something "THERE" and (because you know it is a tv show/movie) probably these people belong together and will therefore end up together. Unless it is a sneaky twisted tragic chick flick or a complicated tv series and one or the other of them dies or something awful happens, like in Gone with the wind (though she kind of deserves it) or a version of Romeo and Juliet or Aliens ... yeah, you get the idea.
Any good love story tends to have these moments (any bad one is intending to have these moments and failing miserably), and because they are a standard of the cinematic spark
Anyways, as I am on a bit of a downer at the moment, I am thinking about cheerful things, and so here are some of my favourite romantic tension characters/moments. Ones I could find clips for anyways, its hard to explain these things to someone who hasn't seen them without clips.
Starting with a few classics, Casablanca - Rick and Elsa - And yes, this doesn't resolve how you might like but boy is this movie well scripted for tension... the build up is slow but it is beautifully executed; and Cat on a hot tin roof - Maggie the cat and Brick - I love this movie, it is so dysfunctional but so enthralling. If you haven't seen it, they are husband and wife, but their marriage has been damaged in their history and by the start of the movie Brick has agreed to stay with Maggie in a (drunken) non-sexual role. Why do old movies seem so much better written than new ones?
Psych - Shawn and Juliet - "Very close talking" ((2006) (Episode - #2.9) - Bounty Hunters!). This show is awesome and hysterical and if you haven't watched Psych you should because I am really enjoying it for its clever, over educated jokes and great acting and light hearted fun-ness. Anyway, this moment is brilliant and funny whilst maintaining tension which I was impressed with. Shawn and Jules have a great relationship where he flirts with her and he is definately on her radar but she tries to hide that and I want to see where it goes (and I am a season behind so if you ARE up to date, then shhhhhhh).
The Princess Bride - Wesley and Buttercup - and you have probably seen it before anyways, but it's great and must be mentioned. Fairytale of our generation...
Vampire Diaries - Damon and Elena - ok, so this tv show isn't for everyone as while it has lots of hot boys and girls, and lots of drama and gore, it centres around the love triangle created by two brothers who have been vampires for 150 years and who have both fallen in love with the same girl... who is not only completely a danger magnet but is also the dopleganger of the vampire who turned them (and manipulated them and entirely screwed up their relationship with one another etc). Damon is the 'bad' brother (please keep in mind that the truth is more complicated than that), and Elena is (currently) in a relationship with Stephan (the 'good' brother), however the tension between Damon and Elena is far more exciting.
Amelie - Amelie and Nino - bizarrely for a love story they don't have many scenes together, but they do have one of the best ones.
Pride and Prejudice - Darcy and Elizabeth - feature film but particularly the BBC version. Shhhh about the cliche!!!
10 things I hate about you - Patrick and Kat.
And just.... all of Firefly/Serenity. Go watch it already...
