Asking me to pick my favorite movie, or book, is like asking me to pick my favorite child. That is not accurate my favorite child is my only child, but I trust you understand the analogy.
Legends of the Fall is one of the movies that gives me all the romantic feels. Released in 1994 and staring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond, and Henry Thomas, it is a complex story of family dynamics in the early 1900s. Three brothers and their father are affected by nature in the harsh and rugged Montana mountains. When the youngest brother comes home from college with a fiancé, she immediately earns the affections of every one of the men. World War I is the beginning of end for the close family. I do not want to spoil anything so I will stop there.
Brad Pitt’s character, Tristan, is the kind I fall for. A true alpha male that protects and cares for those he loves. Even if he must protect them from himself. I love alpha male characters. True masculinity is not toxic. It is sexy and appeals to women. I could seriously get on my soap box for a good rant about what a real man and a real woman is, but that is not the purpose of this website or blog.
Sir Anthony Hopkins plays an imperfect father that loves each of his children for the men they become, even Alfred. The relationship between Ludlow (Hopkins) and Alfred, played by Aidan Quinn, is a good example of the mistakes parents make with their eldest child. We try so hard to raise them to better than us that we end up putting too much pressure on them to reach an unattainable ideal.
Samuel, Henry Thomas’ character, is the beloved youngest that suffers from too many parents. Every member of the family feels the need to parent him and as much as he loves them, Samuel needs to be his own man.
Then there is Susannah, Julia Ormond. She is engaged to Samuel but by the end, has loved each of the brothers. The romance between Susannah and Tristian takes my breath away. I do not want to say much about that, but the chemistry is there.
Have you seen the movie? Do you find it romantic? Tragic? I would love to hear your thoughts on the story.
I will give a quick warning: the comment section is not a place to bash any commentator. I will not tolerate what I think of as hate and will delete those comments without warning or remorse. In terms of my blog only, I am God, it is my way or the highway.
Leave a Reply