GUEST COLUMN: 17 Best Relationship Lessons We Learned From Retro Movies
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17 Best Relationship Lessons We Learned From Retro Movies
by Bethany Langston
Sitting on the couch covered with a favorite blanket on a cozy evening, most people usually wonder which film to choose for the current mood. And, in case if you are tired of the modern fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres, you should try to fall back on retro movies. Nowadays due to the changes in personal preferences, people have become more and more interested in old-fashioned films. In those good classic stories with a vintage atmosphere, each person often notes for herself some piece of inspiration, the basis for inheritance, and even the solution to the challenges they have already encountered.
The point of view mentioned above is also shown in the column “Student Opinion” of the New York Times article by Tucker G. Oakley: “Naturally, I depict what lessons and meanings are hidden in movies about love, freedom, friendship, responsibility, and chaos… Some of the best lessons I've learned from movies come from lesser-known movies or secretly popular. I've learned that love can come right from behind you by staying true to yourself, whether a lovely girl or a hunched zombie from Warm Bodies and Sixteen Candles. I've seen that friendship lasts from the highs and lows, even if you are a lobby-boy in a deathly chase for a dead woman's will for The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
Every film can provide us with some food for thoughts, especially those classic films with a simple plot and a natural range of emotions. Owing to the film plot, which represents any aspect of the relationship between people, we might not only get invaluable experience of acting in a certain situation but also collect plenty of powerful life lessons. So, let’s discover what are those relationship lessons we learned through watching old-fashioned films of the last century.
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Lesson #1: Sometimes It Is Hard To Overcome All the Challenges of Life, but It Is Worth Fighting While Having the Right Person by Your Side
William Wyler’s World War II film has become the gold standard for films about soldiers who return home from the front and face the difficulties in their everyday life. The film even co-stars real war vet Harold Russell, who lost his hands, and won an Honorary Oscar for his performance.
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Lesson #2: While Chasing the Ideal Love, Do Not Miss the True One
Lesson #3: There Is Always a Little Hope To Make the Relationship for the Better
There is always a little hope to make the relationship for the better. For most of us, it is vitally important to love and to be loved. That is why we are trying to find the best soul mate to reach that so-called happily-ever-after dream. By showing her way of life, Scarlett gives us the best advice - to cherish true love, do all your best not to lose it. That’s the only way for true love which will last forever.
Leon (1994)
Lesson #4: Be Faithful Unto Death To Those, Who You Love
Lesson #5: Take Care of Each Other Despite Everything
That’s all about the film Leon (1994). Scared after the murder of her family, Mathilda, a 12-year-old girl, is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin. Léon and Mathilda form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns the hitman's trade. Instead, the girl runs his errands, cleans his apartment, and also teaches “the cleaner” how to read.
Say Anything (1989)
Lesson #6: The Best Romantic Gestures Are Unexpected
After being dumped by the love of his life, John Cusack’s Llyod is a heartbroken man, but despite that, he isn’t going to give up that easily. Instead, the man does all he can to win her back, equipped with only his determination… and a boom box.
You know, the modern illustration of standing outside your beloved's house holding up an iPhone doesn’t have quite the same gravitas, but the message remains the same. Being romantic in an unexpected way is the best way to keep the love inside your heart.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Lesson #7: Do Not Judge Someone Before You Know Them
Lesson #8: Spend a Little More Time Trying To Do Something With Yourself and a Little Less Time Trying To Impress People
Now it is clear as a day, that none of us is perfect, we oughtn’t to reckon people due to their appearance, special traits of character and temperament, needs and interests. But in the Breakfast Club movie filmed in 1985, that was an important message for society. The key idea of the plot is described with the main characters at the beginning and end of the film: “You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... ...and an athlete... ...and a basket case... ...a princess... ...and a criminal.”
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
Lesson 9: Choose Love, Not Money
Lesson #10: There Are Many Difficulties in a Couple’s Relationship, but Only the Efforts of Both Lovers Will Make Sense
A favorite of dorm-room posters and Halloween costumes, Blake Edwards’s comedy about girl-about-town Holly Golightly helped turn Audrey Hepburn into a fashion icon, thanks to her long black gown, elegant up-do, and signature black sunglasses. Holly was to choose between love and money. Watch the story till the end to find out what’s her choice!
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Lesson #11: Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer
The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate. These film series have a deep philosophy of human life, so that’s a must seen in your list!
West Side Story (1961)
Lesson #12: If You Do Love Someone, You Will Forgive That Person for Everything, Even the Murder
Lesson #13: Trust Your Heart, It Knows What’s Better
This musical about New York City gangs was directed by choreographer Jerome Robbins and describes a modernized love story of Romeo and Juliet. Despite the tragic ending, the film represents the deep and true feelings of two, who fight to the end for their happiness.
Home Alone (1990)
Lesson #14: Family Is One of Those Precious Things, Which Oughtn’t To Be Neglected
Lesson #15: You Never Get Far on Your Own
An eight-year-old troublemaker must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. To tell you the truth, the story describes the typical issues of the family relationships, where the art to listen and to be heard is the basis of a strong and happy family.
Roman Holiday (1953)
Lesson #16: Anyone Can Accidentally Fall in Love
Lesson #17: Live the Moment With Those You Want To Spend Your Life With
A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. Such an ordinary meeting transforms into a fairy story of love, it definitely won’t leave you indifferent.
Conclusion
All in all, though each film has its message for the audience, those retro and old-fashioned films, due to their unique atmosphere and exciting plot, are used not only for the entertainment but also provide us with a piece of profound wisdom through characters’ actions, their mindsets and thoughts. It is extremely important for the person to learn something from other people’s lives as well as develop her frame of mind. That is why the very first ideas developed in the retro movies couldn’t have been more relevant for easy spreading all the wisdom they have.
Are you inspired by watching some of the mentioned in this list? Come on, let’s watch a masterpiece of a film together.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bethany Langston is a blogger, a journalist at 99brides.com, and just an ambitious writer. She always enjoyed covering numerous topics from politics to relationships, so she decided to make writing her career.