God Help the Girl is a tale of love and despair through the medium of song and dance, starring Emily Brown and Olly Alexander. Written and directed by Belle & Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch, the film in part follows Alexander’s bewitched James and his adoration of Eve (Browning,) a troubled, medicated songwriter.
To celebrate the film’s release we take a look at some of the best proclamations of love via the magical form of song in cinema.
Pretty in Pink: Try a Little Tenderness
Dir. Howard Deutch, 1986
Admittedly this sequence is mimed, but mimed to Otis Redding and with such panache that Jon Cryer’s Duckie is easily forgiven. Besotted with his best friend and sadly not as bold with his feelings as he is with his sense of fashion, Duckie’s extravagant routine is as a means of impressing his audience; a bewildered Andie (Molly Ringwald)and the quietly impressed Iona.
It’s an all or nothing, raging performance that is lost on Andie, but not on audiences for the next twenty five plus years.
West Side Story: Maria
Dir. Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise, 1961
Forbidden love is the best kind, and there’s a tragic tinge to Tony’s ode to Maria as he strides through the streets singing her name. The bittersweet romance between the Shark and the Jet holds no hope, but with Johnny Richards’ gorgeous arrangement and Tony’s wide eyed adoration for a second you believe that they might make it.
10 Things I Hate About You: Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You
Dir. Gil Junger, 1999
That Julia Styles doesn’t jump headlong into Heath Ledger’s arms after this brash display of love is an absolute crime. Dimpled and ruthless, Ledger’s Patrick croons his way back into Kat’s good books with this rugged rendition of Andy Williams’ classic, proving emotions don’t mean a thing if they’re not expressed with a brass band accompaniment.
Before Sunset: Nina Simone
Dir. Richard Linklater, 2004
Not particular song, no particular words from Nina seal the bond between Jesse and Celine. As Julie Delpy dips her hips to the lilting piano and coos to an imaginary audience though there is a helplessness to Jesse, pinned to the sofa with a goofy smile and a waiting plane that he desperately doesn’t want to make.
High Fidelity: Laura’s Compilation
Dir. Stephen Frears, 2000
*Spoiler* Instead of one song this is a whole album compiled by a once miserable and unsteady Rob for the love of his life. The mix tape, previously a crippling indulgence for Rob is now an act of kindness for the love of his life, as he lets the songs speak his sentiment.
Scream 2: I Think I Love You
Dir. Wes Craven, 1997
With a direct reference to Tom Cruise’s bold lothario in Top Gun, this shrieky sequel has Derek (Jerry O’Connell) jumping atop a cafeteria table to sing his love at the undeserving Sydney. Tanned, highlighted and wearing pastel from top to toe Derek emanates younger Cruise, and this brash display of affection is a welcome moment of naff before the killing starts.
God Help the Girl is out in cinemas from the 22nd of August. Our review is here.
