Perplexing Pairings

From MSN Movies, we review wild disparity in supposed cozy couplings. Agree or disagree? You be the judge…

“Love is not only a battlefield but also a puzzle. Why do we so often experience an involuntary surge of romantic feelings for someone so utterly unsuitable? Here are 10 strikingly mismatched pairings found on film":

“Howard the Duck” (1986) with Lea Thompson and well, quick frankly, a king-sized duck.

"A scientific experiment unknowingly brings extraterrestrial life forms to the Earth through a laser beam. First is the cigar smoking drake Howard from the duck's planet. A few kids try to keep him from the greedy scientists and help him back to his planet. But then a much less friendly being arrives through the beam."

I did see this one and I have to admit how creepy it felt to watch Ms. Thompson get hot and bothered over a giant quacker. I refuse to mention what city this clunker is set in.

“Swamp Thing” (1982) with Ray Wise and Adrienne Barbeau.

"Dr. Alec Holland, hidden away in the depths of a murky swamp, is trying to create a new species - a combination of animal and plant capable of adapting and thriving in the harshest conditions. Unfortunately he becomes subject of his own creation and is transformed .Arcane, desperate for the formula attempts to capture the Swamp Thing. An explosive chase ensues that ultimately ends with a confrontation between Holland and a changed Arcane."

Oh brother.

“Edward Scissorhands” (1990) with Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.

"A modern day fairy tale which tells the story of Edward, the man created by an inventor, who died before finishing him and left Edward with scissors where he should have hands. One day when the local Avon representative calls at the historic mansion where Edward has been living alone, she takes him home to stay with her family. He has to adapt to the new life and environment that he isn't used to. Soon he shows a talent in cutting hair and hedges, and wins every body's heart. But life isn't always so sweet."

Yes, it’s off-the-wall but I liked this unusual story.

"Six Days, Seven Nights" (1998) with Harrison Ford and Anne Heche.

"Taking a romantic tropical island week off with her boyfriend, an ambitious, decisive New York girl agrees to help her magazine out by covering a story on a neighboring island. The only plane available is piloted by a laid-back heavy drinker with whom she shares a mutual dislike. But she has no choice and he can't refuse the money. When the plane crash-lands on an uninhabited island with little chance of rescue they both wish they had made other arrangements - at least to start with."

I liked this one but mostly because Han Solo was the male lead. The chasm-like age gap and Anne’s mercurial gender choice made for viewer’s suspense of disbelief when viewing this flick.

"Frankie and Johnny"(1991) with Al Pacino and Michele Pfeiffer.

"Johnny has just been released from prison, and gets a job in a cafe beside waitress Frankie. Frankie is a bit of a loner, but Johnny is determined their romance will blossom."

Never saw it.

"As Good as It Gets"(1997) with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.

"Melvin Udall, a cranky, bigoted, obsessive-compulsive writer, finds his life turned upside down when neighboring gay artist Simon is hospitalized and his dog is entrusted to Melvin. In addition, Carol, the only waitress who will tolerate him must leave work to care for her sick son, making it impossible for Melvin to eat breakfast."

Greg Kinnear was terrific but Jack and Helen as a couple was completely unbelievable.

"White Palace" (1990) with James Spader and Susan Sarandon.

"Max Baron (James Spader) is a 27-year-old high flying advertising executive still recovering from the death of his wife. One night he is in a bar when he meets Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon) a 43-year-old waitress with a fixation on Marilyn Monroe. The couple gradually fall in love, though age and social differences mean that the path of true love is strewn with problems."

Never saw it, but loved him in "Pretty in Pink" as the spoiled rich boy.

"Harold and Maude"(1971) with Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon.

"Harold is a depressed, death-obsessed 20-year-old man-child who spends his free time attending funerals and committing suicide in front of his mother, but he does not die. At a funeral, Harold befriends Maude, a 79-year-old woman who has a zest for life. She and Harold spend much time together during which she exposes him to the wonders and possibilities of life. After rejecting his mother's three attempts to set him up with a potential wife, and committing fake suicide in front of all of them, Harold announces that he is to be married to Maude. However, Maude has a surprise for Harold that is to change his life forever."

Never heard of him. Didn’t see this, but apparently it received good reviews. Pairing a 20-year old and an almost 80-year old is pushing the envelope.

"Monster’s Ball" (2001) with Billy Bob Thornton and Halle Berry.

"Set in the Southern United States, 'Monster's Ball' is a tale of a racist white man, Hank (played by Billy Bob Thornton), who falls in love with a black woman named Leticia (Halle Berry). Ironically Hank is a prison guard working on Death Row who executed Leticia's husband (Sean Combs). Hank and Leticia's interracial affair leads to confusion and new ideas for the two unlikely lovers."

Didn’t see this but Billy Bob doesn’t strike me as a good match for the lovely Ms. Berry.

"Beauty and the Beast" (1946) with two people no one’s ever heard of.

"A half-ruined merchant lives in the country with his son Ludovic and his three daughters. Two of the daughters, Felicie and Adelaide, are real shrews, selfish, pretentious, evil. They exploit the third daughter, Belle, as a servant. One day, the merchant gets lost in the forest and enters a strange castle. He picks up a rose for Belle and the castle's owner appear. He is a monster, half-human, half-beast, and possesses magic powers. He sentences the merchant to death, unless he give up one of his daughters. Belle sacrifices herself for her father and goes to the castle, discovering that the Beast is not so wild and inhuman as it seems."

There is also the 1991 animated version.

I sort of remember the fairy tale but plead innocent on having ever caught this flick.

I’m sure many others could be added to this list, but there you have it—incongruous couples on film.