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The Best On-Screen Couples Of 2011

By Joanna Robinson | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (31)



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Let’s be honest, folks. It was a rather sh*t year for love. Well, love in the romantic sense. The year’s box office is top heavy with bloated action franchises and frustratingly familiar sequels. The highest grossing “romantic comedy” of the year, in fact, features a love relationship that’s wholly tangential to the central plot. And while mainstream love suffered, independents didn’t fare much better. Blue Valentine, Like Crazy and even Drive painted love in a dismal light. But that doesn’t mean love wasn’t in the air. Au contraire. It was just, you know, less conventionally executed. So here are the best on-screen couples of 2011, the folks with the strongest emotional connection and melt your face off chemistry. I think you know where this is going.

James Mcavoy and Michael Fassbender: X-Men: First Class: Let’s get this one out of the way, shall we? You can tease me all you like about my (TOTALLY WARRANTED) Fassbender thing, but if you’ve seen this flick, you know I only speak the truth here.
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Steve Carrell and Ryan Gosling: Crazy, Stupid, Love: In theory, the thrust of this film is Carrell’s desire to get back together with his wife (a rather bland Julianne Moore). But why he would want to trade his time with the Gosling for her is a mystery.
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Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer: Beginners: Sweetness personified. These two left sticky, honey drenched fingerprints all over me. And I didn’t mind one bit.
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Tom Hiddleston and Alison Pill as Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald in Midnight In Paris: Okay, this is my one concession to romantic love. Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard be damned, the Fitzgeralds stole this one right out from under them.
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Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph—Bridesmaids: Yes, yes, I’ll agree Chris O’Dowd was darling in this film and his love relationship with Wiig was endearing as all hell. But, it wasn’t the point. The relationship we really cared about was the one between two best friends.
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Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis: The Help I love Emma Stone a heap ton, and Jessica Chastain even more, but the bond between these woman was untouchable.
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Seth Rogen and JGL: 50/50: There is a really sweet, romantic plot line at the heart of this film. In fact, I’d call Anna Kendrick and JGL my favorite romantic pairing of the year. However, the chemistry, affection and connection between Rogen and JGL is undeniable. Really one of the best films of the whole year.
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David Tennant And That Bottle of Midori: Fright Night: I’m really at a loss as to why more of you didn’t see this flick. DAVID TENNANT IN LEATHER PANTS, Y’ALL. His slurred asides made the film so much more enjoyable. May he and his ever-present bottle of Midori find true happiness together.
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Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr.: Sherlock Holmes If we’re being honest with ourselves, I think we have to admit that the first Ritchie Holmes film was a convoluted mess. What made it work, and what pulls us back for more, is the sparkle and spar between Law and RDJ as Watson and Holmes. Don’t believe me? Check out the video below.
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Comments

The tent scene in Harry Potter was in Part 1 which was a 2010 release.

[Oh, boooooo, you're so right. --JR]

Posted by: Returnofthesmith at December 20, 2011 3:46 AM

That clip was as charming and adorable as anything. Plus, my husband, Robert Downey, Jr., looks fantastic next to the hot hobo version of Jude Law.

And say what you will about the Sherlock Holmes franchise being a mess; it's just FUN, and my other husband, Guy Ritchie, sure knows how to shoot himself an action flick.

Also, that header pic made me faint.

Posted by: Jelinas at December 20, 2011 3:47 AM

Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.

Posted by: sailboat at December 20, 2011 4:08 AM

I preferred the Chris O'Dowd/Wigg pairing. I didn't really warm to Maya Rudolph in Bridesmaids, so that friendship felt a bit flat to me. Wigg & Melissa McCarthy were awesome together though. I'd happily watch a sequel with just those two ladies.

Colin Firth & Geoffrey Rush in The King's Speech Brendan Gleason & Don Cheadle in The Guard.
Aziz Ansari and Jesse Eisenberg in 30 Minutes Or Less.
And it probably doesn't count being a re-release and all, but Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King.

As for romantic love, I did enjoy Fassbender and Mia Whatshername in Jane Eyre.

Posted by: Kate at December 20, 2011 7:23 AM

Joanna, I really was just thinking about how horrible a year it's been for love in films. Even people in happy relationships wind up suffering terribly because no one is keen on romance this year. When a one week fling with Marilyn Monroe is the closest to happily ever after, there's a really negative trend.

Maybe that sweet little film about the tattooed lady with no eyebrows will turn that trend around.

What do you mean that film is a rape/revenge fantasy before it even hits the main plot? Oh dear Godtopus, why?

Posted by: Robert at December 20, 2011 7:52 AM

"Maybe that sweet little film about the tattooed lady with no eyebrows", and the merkin. Let's not forget the merkin y'all.

http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2011/12/all-about-rooney-maras-merkin

Posted by: Groundloop at December 20, 2011 8:16 AM

The Fitzgerald's and Corey Stoll as Ernie Hemingway definitely stole the show.

"Who wants to FIGHT?!?!"

Posted by: MRod at December 20, 2011 9:54 AM

DAVID TENNANT IN LEATHER PANTS, Y’ALL.

But I don't caaaaaaaaaaaaare. And that's my overall reason for not watching it.

But Fassbender and McAvoy Forevah. Fassavoy? McAssbender.

Posted by: figgy at December 20, 2011 10:09 AM

OMFG. I think I'd rather see all of that video than Sherlock 2. That was wonderful. Why the Hell are all American "behind the scenes with the cast of" interview shows so horribly schlocky. Seriously, my dear British, I envy you.

Posted by: NateS1973 at December 20, 2011 10:14 AM

Crazy, Stupid, Love is the first time I was ever really sold on the Gosling - he and Carrell are charming in that movie. Also, the Fitzgerald's and Brody stole Midnight in Paris for me.

Posted by: llp at December 20, 2011 10:32 AM

One of my personal favorite couples was Cate Blanchett and her southern accent in Hanna.

Why the Hell are all American "behind the scenes with the cast of" interview shows so horribly schlocky.

A lack of Gervais and wine?

Posted by: Jast at December 20, 2011 11:01 AM

Side note: thanks for the clip. Oh how I miss seeing Eddie Izzard! He should be in everything.

Posted by: SugarKane at December 20, 2011 11:06 AM

RHINOCEROS!

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at December 20, 2011 11:06 AM

What a great list! And it reminds me of films I want to see, that I missed this year.

Posted by: tamatha at December 20, 2011 11:07 AM

And also, Sherlock Holmes 2 gets extra points for the manlove between Stephen Fry's Mycroft and his manservant.
If you want to see Stephen Fry naked, it is the movie for you.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at December 20, 2011 11:08 AM

Also? I want to watch the clip, but I'm at work and I don't want to disturb/attract the attention of my coworkers.

Posted by: tamatha at December 20, 2011 11:08 AM

Well fuckitall, I meant Izzard. Damn middle-aged white British comedians all look the same to me.

Posted by: Jast at December 20, 2011 11:12 AM

Oh my, that video. With Eddie Iz(z)ard in the mix? Swoooon.

Posted by: Captain Tuttle at December 20, 2011 11:13 AM

I expect Pam and her progeny Tara will be on this list next year.

Yeah, I said it.

Posted by: sunny at December 20, 2011 11:22 AM

Oh, and not to derail this thread, please forgive but can anyone PLEASE tell me where I can legally watch AHS's 'Birth' episode, ep 1.11? I recently downgraded by cable so I no longer have DVR. I was out Xmas shopping until late last Wednesday evening so I missed the replay and now I can't find it On Demand or online at the FX website. I can't understand why 'Smoldering Children' is still the latest available episode when the new one, 'Afterbirth', will air tomorrow night! I can't watch 12 before I've seen 11 and clearly I can't afford to miss 12! [short of disaster nothing will keep me from it this week]

Posted by: sunny at December 20, 2011 11:29 AM

No Charlie Day and Jason Sudekis? Those two are bromancing like nobody's business.

Posted by: ChristianH at December 20, 2011 12:38 PM

David Tennant was hilarious in Fright Night, although the leather pants effect was lost on me...

Posted by: llp at December 20, 2011 1:17 PM


how about a follow up with male/female couples? in the meantime
i just don't get the love for " bridesmaids ". the wigg/rudolph
relationship never made much sense and there was no chemistry
between the two at any point in the movie.
downey and depp should collaborate somewhere in the future. they
have mastered the campy, quirky roles ... a waste of talent.

Posted by: snake at December 20, 2011 2:20 PM

Pam and Tara... that would be hilarious. You know they are going to bring her back, she is just way too annoying to let die.

Stick a fork in her she is done.

Posted by: MRod at December 20, 2011 4:07 PM

Yeah...why DIDN'T more of you see the Fright Night remake? I thought it was totally crushworthy all the way around.

And sunny, I do hope Pam "makes" Tara. Then I hope they both meet the sun (hee hee). Because they both bug HUGE.

Posted by: klingonfree at December 20, 2011 4:59 PM

I watched Fright Night this past weekend and really enjoyed it. And I had forgotten how good looking Colin Farrell is. God, he's hot when he's threatening and dangerous!

Posted by: snapnhiss at December 20, 2011 5:17 PM

I thought Wiig and Rudolph had a realistic best friend vibe. They had such easy chemistry in the scene in that photo and in the coffee shop scene. It made me think of my grade school best friend. They drifted in the film, but then again that was kind of the point.

I'd name them the #1 sweetest couple for me.

Posted by: becks at December 20, 2011 6:21 PM

Look at the body language in the talk show clip RDJ and Jude Law. They are totally fucking. With or without women involved.

Posted by: Sean at December 20, 2011 7:41 PM

Yeah, legs crossed towards each other. That's an unequivocal sex invite.

Posted by: jM at December 21, 2011 1:02 AM

10 points to jM for the Clueless reference.

Posted by: Jelinas at December 21, 2011 1:22 AM

Where did Eddie Izzard go? I haven't seen him anywhere lately. Whatever the reason, he needs to make a comeback, a spectacular comeback, preferably involving fireworks and a chocolate fountain.

Posted by: Becca at January 2, 2012 6:34 AM