Shaking off Illness.
For the past week, I’ve had a cold. It doesn’t happen very
often, but oddly I actually enjoy being sick. It allows me to lay around in
PJs, drink hot tea, and skip class so I can watch movies all day get
better. (I could do this while I’m healthy, too, but my parents would not be
pleased.) Whenever I’m sick, I have a few staples in my routine, as I’m sure we
all do. Usually I’ll lay on the living room couch with my dog and watch TV as I
drift in and out of sleep, and my mom supplies me with the requisite tissues,
Sprite or orange juice, and soup. Unfortunately, I had to be sick in my college
apartment, so no couch (I only have two wingback chairs), no adorable dog, and
no caretaker. It sucked, but I did have my movies, which we all know makes it a
little bit sunnier. Below is my personal list of films that get me through all
the stuffed noses, pathetic coughing, and scratchy throats:
Any Fred and Ginger. It
would be silly to assume that these two could solve all the world’s problems
with their gorgeous dancing and their fantastic movies…but I believe it. They
were the ones who fixed the Depression, right? (I’m only 90% kidding.)
Funny Face. What
can I say, Fred Astaire is a good cure. This movie is absolutely lovely to look
at, what with the fashions and Paris and oh yeah, Audrey Hepburn. The Gershwin
songs are the best, and Kay Thompson is such a breath of fresh air—which helps
when you literally can’t breathe through your own nose.
The Philadelphia
Story. What happens when you put my favorite actress and actor together,
along with my second favorite actor to complicate the story? You get one of the
best romantic comedies ever, no debates about it. Everyone involved does some
of their best work, especially Cary Grant. I know it’s seen as the Katharine
Hepburn Show (which, isn’t it always?) and Jimmy Stewart won an Oscar for his
role, but I think Cary is the standout. He stays to the background and he just
has so many subtle touches. Look at him as he watches Kate throughout the whole
movie—it’s so romantic.
Pillow Talk. Looking
at this list, I feel like the only thing I watch is romantic comedy after
romantic comedy. But I could never leave out the best Doris Day-Rock Hudson
film. It’s a complete delight, if only to hear Hudson sing “You Are My
Inspiration” in English and French. I
just love every second of it.
The Adventures of
Robin Hood. I’m trying to venture away from the rom-coms here, but Errol
Flynn and Olivia de Havilland kind of make this action movie into one anyway.
My favorite scene is definitely when they’re in Marion’s room and Robin
comically forces her to admit that she loves him. Did I mention how gorgeous
Errol Flynn is? This man is seriously my kryptonite. I can’t get through any of
his movies with sighing at least once—it’s sappy and pathetic and I don’t care.
But Robin Hood is such a great movie, with an awesome supporting cast and many
fun action scenes. Plus, you have Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone as the
villains, which is always a good thing.
Any classic Disney.
My family and I are the biggest Disney geeks, and it’s something we’re all
proud of. I adore the newer movies (Beauty
and the Beast, Frozen, Tangled, The Princess and the Frog…), but my heart
will always be with the likes of Mary
Poppins, Cinderella, Snow White, 101 Dalmatians (which I just
rediscovered), and Sleeping Beauty.
The Wizard of Oz.
Obviously my #1 film would be on here. ‘Nuff said.
Some Like it Hot.
When you’re sick, you need a good laugh. Except for when your throat is so sore
that laughing makes you want to cry…but this movie is worth it. It might just
be the best comedy ever made, and in the opinion of many, it’s Marilyn Monroe’s
greatest movie. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are one of the funniest pairings I’ve
ever seen and it’s only right that they should be teamed with Billy Wilder.
I realize I didn’t give a lot of variety in terms of genres,
but I guess I like to lean towards happier fare when I’m personally feeling like
making a permanent home under my blanket. What are your choices when you’re
ready to give up on life—I mean, ill?
With love,
Michaela
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