John Clarkson
I have to admit, nothing came to mind at first. So I guess that tells you something about me right there. Perhaps I'm not the romantic type.
However, after a bit of pondering two couples emerged. First, The Thin Man couple, Nick and Nora Charles from the pen of Dashiell Hammett. I actually re-read the book not too long ago. Hammett's last novel, and his only Thin Man novel.
I've seen bits and pieces of the films starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, but to get the essence of this relationship, you should read the novel. I have to admit, it's the breezy banter, the happy acceptance of Nick by his rich socialite wife Nora that I enjoyed so much. Maybe it's because they drank so much, had so much money, and no children that allowed for this easy going relationship. Pure fiction, huh?
The other couple I thought of was the movie couple Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon. A bromance if you will. But one with deep undertones in that Riggs is suicidal from the loss of his wife, and the last thing Murtaugh wants is to deal with the dangerous situations Riggs brings into his life as he approaches retirement. Underneath it all, each man's life depends on the success of the relationship -- both externally and internally.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover played this couple to perfection. In 1987, the movie broke through on several levels, including pairing up a black guy with a white guy. Just in terms of longevity, Riggs and Murtaugh have endured -- even up to the current new TV series with Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford, which I also enjoy. And trust me, I don't watch very much TV.
Is there a common denominator here? I think so. It's the humor. And that indicates to me as I write this how important humor is in a relationship. I'd say without it, no relationship will last very long.
However, after a bit of pondering two couples emerged. First, The Thin Man couple, Nick and Nora Charles from the pen of Dashiell Hammett. I actually re-read the book not too long ago. Hammett's last novel, and his only Thin Man novel.
I've seen bits and pieces of the films starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, but to get the essence of this relationship, you should read the novel. I have to admit, it's the breezy banter, the happy acceptance of Nick by his rich socialite wife Nora that I enjoyed so much. Maybe it's because they drank so much, had so much money, and no children that allowed for this easy going relationship. Pure fiction, huh?
The other couple I thought of was the movie couple Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon. A bromance if you will. But one with deep undertones in that Riggs is suicidal from the loss of his wife, and the last thing Murtaugh wants is to deal with the dangerous situations Riggs brings into his life as he approaches retirement. Underneath it all, each man's life depends on the success of the relationship -- both externally and internally.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover played this couple to perfection. In 1987, the movie broke through on several levels, including pairing up a black guy with a white guy. Just in terms of longevity, Riggs and Murtaugh have endured -- even up to the current new TV series with Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford, which I also enjoy. And trust me, I don't watch very much TV.
Is there a common denominator here? I think so. It's the humor. And that indicates to me as I write this how important humor is in a relationship. I'd say without it, no relationship will last very long.
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