stellabluegrl Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 There have been times while watching a movie that I've noticed the romantic radars of a certain couple aren't on the same wavelength. The chemistry is just not there. Sometimes this can really bother me because I want to like the movie; but I just can't get into the romantic part of the plot because of the casting. Sometimes I find it's a matter of the actor and actress being maybe a little too similar in the way they come across. For example in "They Met in Bombay", Clark Gable & Rosalind Russell both have such "strong" personalities it was a bit much when paired together. Along the same lines, in "To Catch a Thief" I found that Cary Grant and Grace Kelly just didn't "connect" on-screen. In my opinion Cary Grant's romantic charm comes across much better with someone like a lighthearted Jean Arthur. In my opinion Grace Kelly's coolness (and I'm NOT saying anything bad about Grace Kelly here) made for some bad chemistry between them. Now here are a few "couples" that I just really would never WANT to be together. Rex Harrison & Audrey Hepburn. As much as I love "My Fair Lady" there is never a moment when I watch it where I really think they belong together....again, no chemistry. One more; Audrey Hepburn & George Peppard in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". In my humble opinion that was bad casting. I could think of many other actors that should have had George's part. There are a lot of new movies with the same problem. I'm not going to list any right now; but I will say that I can't stand John Cusak in ANY romantic role. In my opinion he has all the sex appeal of a turnip. SO, feel free to list movies in which you feel the chemistry was lacking, and maybe even add who you think would have been better in the part. ~*~Stella~*~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlgal38 Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I've noticed these sub-stellar romantic chemistries before, and I'm not sure it's all a casting flaw. Other factors (I think) include poor direction on the love angle. Of the films you mention, only George Cukor (My Fair Lady) had some experience in the primarily romantic genre - and they were few. Good direction would have brought out the 'animal attraction' if you will - or at least detected the lack thereof on the dailies during filming. And I know what you mean about Grace Kelly. She was way too pristine to come across as the least bit "wanton". As far as Audrey Hepburn, her choice of characters seemed too naive and flippant to be considered sexual (with the possible exception of "Sabrina"). Another consideration is that perhaps the screenplay called for a somewhat one-sided attraction, as I suspected in "To Catch a Thief". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
path40a Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Stella, great post! Although I disagree about TCAT (I actually listed a scene from it in my "sexiest" post), I totally agree about John Cusack. In fact, I don't think the guy can act period! He sleepwalks through all the films I've seen him in which have been TOO many;-) stlgal, though I enjoy MANY of his films, I'm not sure George Cukor could have given us great "animal attraction" on film given his own preferences ... unless he was directing a Rock Hudson biography maybe;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bggalaxy Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Wow I'll probably be in the minority here but my wife enjoy cusack. A Sure Thing is one of favorite romantic comedies. I enjoyed him Serendipity, Grosse Point Blank, Con Air, and his small cameo in Stand By Me. That movie he did with Roberts and Jones was terrible but it wasn't just him it was everything about it. Talk about bad chemistry - that movie had it. None of the characters clicked including Hank and Billy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandykaypax Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Interesting topic, Stella. As far as John Cusack is concerned, I think he is quite a good actor and very attractive. I liked the chemistry between him and Minnie Driver in GROSSE POINT BLANK. I love the chemistry between Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in BRINGING UP BABY, HOLIDAY, and THE PHILADELPHIA STORY. Kate's chemistry with Jimmy Stewart was right on too in that one. However, poor Jimmy just couldn't connect with Joan Crawford in ICE FOLLIES OF 1939. Yikes. Silly movie anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinemetal Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Grumble, grumble...count me as another of the Cusack-enamored: Say Anything..., One Crazy Summer, Better Off Dead, The Grifters, I love em all! As for my most recent (and egregious) example of someone who rarely, if ever manages any sort of sexual chemistry with an on-screen partner, there is Jennifer Lopez. I find it truly alarming that, with George Clooney excepted, someone so incredibly "hot" can fail to ignite sparks with any of her pairings. I have surmised that this has much to do with the fact that she comes across as so unequivocally self-absorbed that her greatest love will always be the reflection in the mirror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellabluegrl Posted December 5, 2003 Author Share Posted December 5, 2003 How funny you should mention "Ice Follies" sandykaypax! When I was typing out my post I was goin' nuts trying to remember a movie with Jimmy Stewart and "someone". Well, "Ice Follies" was it! Man, talk about a weird couple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinemetal Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Another VERY poor Jimmy Stewart pairing: Pot O' Gold, 1941, co-starring by beloved Paulette Goddard. Didn't work at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladymirabelle45 Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 Bad chemistry is not just between men and women. How about Ben Afflack & Josh Hartnett in PEARL HARBOR. Well, the chemistry was bad all around in that movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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