Valentine’s Day may be behind us, but love is still in the air. From timeless classics to new movies in theatres, on-screen romance has a way of capturing the hearts of viewers. The Tribune has rounded up four of the most memorable couples in film.
Westley and Buttercup
Let’s start off with a classic: Westley and Buttercup, the lead couple from The Princess Bride. Magical and medieval, the movie consists of sword fights, fist fights, and fairytale-esque costumes, all in the name of love. Not only are Westley and Buttercup one of the most adorable and loyal couples, but the movie itself has a sense of whimsical nostalgia. Westley’s iconic line, “As you wish,” immediately hooks you into this relationship, making you realize that he will endlessly dedicate himself to Buttercup’s dreams.
Harry and Sally
If you are a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, slow burn, and romantic comedies in general, you will love When Harry Met Sally. This movie is a classic, and no love story has made me laugh nearly as much. The couple first meets at the end of university when they drive to New York City together, and though they don’t get along at first, they reconnect as friends years later. Their unmatched tension has you rooting for them throughout the movie. Released in 1989, the comedy is timeless, and the characters are authentic and relatable. You may find yourself screaming at the TV screen, ‘Just get together already,’ but this slow burn is what makes their relationship absolute gold. If you are also a nostalgic McGill student from NYC, this heartwarming movie will make you feel at home.
Jon and Ygritte
One of the best TV show couples of all time: Jon and Ygritte from Game of Thrones. These two are a fan favourite owing to their forbidden love and utterly tragic ending. The characters suit each other through their raw and natural chemistry, yet viewers knew that their love story was doomed from the start. Jon was originally Ygritte’s captor; the Night’s Watch and the Wildlings are rivals, leading to a wonderful enemies-to-lovers arc. When Jon holds Ygritte captive, he eventually joins her group, called the Free Folk. But seeing that the group goes against his morals, Jon leaves, abandoning Ygritte. They meet again in battle, and Jon holds her in his arms as she passes. Their final conversation discusses the cave where they first made love and how they never should have left each other—her final sentence: “You know nothing, Jon Snow.” This line highlights Jon’s initial ignorance towards the Free Folk and also emphasizes the cultural differences between him and Ygritte; differences which eventually led to their tragic ending.
Shrek and Fiona
Last but not least, Shrek and Fiona from Shrek. Shrek, an ogre in a swamp fairytale land, goes on an adventure to the kingdom of Duloc and finds the ruler Lord Farquaad, who wants to marry Princess Fiona. However, due to a curse that causes her to switch between human and ogre form, Fiona is confined to life in a tower. After Shrek rescues Fiona from this dragon-guarded castle, they bond and fall in love. Long story short, they get married in the swamp, and Fiona’s true love’s kiss with the ogre breaks the curse. This couple reminds viewers that our expectation of love should not be based merely on looks or societal judgment, but rather on who will bring out the best version of ourselves—this is what makes Shrek and Fiona one of the best fictional couples of all time.
