# Best and worst movie couples **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 20, 2007, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232 "2007-08-20T12:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ready\_for\_my\_closeup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Ready\_for\_my\_closeup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ready_for_my_closeup)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/1 "2007-08-20T12:54:45Z")
I’m sure this has been done before, but inspired by [this](http://www.pearlanddean.com/?node_id=1.5&id=22049), I pose the question: What are the best and worst movie couples of all time? I have to agree with the linked site that Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman were highly unconvincing together on-screen, and in the recent Spiderman movie Tobey Maguire had zero chemistry with both the leading ladies. My favourite on-screen couple is probably George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight. They sizzled. More recently Ryan Gosling and Heather McAdams, and also, James Garner and Gena Rowlands, made me sit through The Notebook and even shed a tear even though I don’t really like movies like that. I also love watching Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in just about anything, same with her and Cary Grant, so maybe it’s just the emminent Miss Hepburn. So, what’s your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/2 "2007-08-20T13:22:16Z")
Worst: Woody Allen and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (all of his leading ladies) Best: Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack in _Serendipity_. Not the sharpest movie, but the chemistry… wow! ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/3 "2007-08-20T13:31:44Z")
Best: John Cusack and Minnie Driver in _Grosse Pointe Blank_ Runners Up - Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin in _Midnight Run_ Worst: Ziyi Zhang and Takeshi Kaneshiro in _House of Flying Daggers_ had negative chemistry, although there was serious hot between her and the actor playing her ex, Andy Lau. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/4 "2007-08-20T13:49:41Z")
William Powell and Myrna Loy made six Thin Man movies and were paired another half dozen times. Most of the country thought they really were married. They set the standard. For worst, I’ve always hated Steve Martin and Darryl Hannah in Roxanne. They seemed to be living in different universes. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/5 "2007-08-20T14:02:06Z")
Worst: Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry in _Die Another Day_. Zero chemistry, the trademark Bond double-entendres sounded so wooden, not flirtatious at all. Best: Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in _Ghost_. They were great in together before Swayze’s character died, and also at their final kiss. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/6 "2007-08-20T14:24:56Z")
Worst: Can’t dispute the horror of the Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman as a couple. Best: Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly in _Rear Window_. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/7 "2007-08-20T14:25:53Z")
Best: Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah in Splash Worst: Every other Daryl Hannah coupling ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/8 "2007-08-20T14:34:16Z")
What, no mention of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner yet? ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/9 "2007-08-20T14:35:45Z")
One of the worst is Ethan Hawke and Angelina Jolie in **Taking Lives**. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/10 "2007-08-20T14:50:14Z")
[QUOTE=cmkeller] Best: Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in _Ghost_. They were great in together before Swayze’s character died, and also at their final kiss. [/QUOTE] Really? That’s the first example that came to my mind, but for the other column. They were both nice-looking people, but their combined acting talent would barely be adequate for the role of “third sheep” in a 2nd grade Christmas pageant. For me, any chemistry was lost in the wooden recitation of cue cards. For best, I’ll nominate Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson in _Much Ado About Nothing_. Of course, they had the advantage of being an actual couple … and being able to act. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/11 "2007-08-20T15:29:01Z")
Greg Charles: > [@](#): > > Really? That’s the first example that came to my mind, but for the other column. The pottery wheel scene felt like chemistry to me. Obviously, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/12 "2007-08-20T17:57:22Z")
[QUOTE=jali] Worst: Woody Allen and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (all of his leading ladies) [/QUOTE] Gotta disagree…partially. Certainly all of his leading ladies post-Mia Farrow have been entirely…inappropriate, but Woody did have great chemistry with Diane Keaton. And Farrow for that matter. For best couples, I’d nominate: Jack Nicholson & Ann-Margaret in **Carnal Knowledge** (completely dysfunctional, but totally absorbing to watch). Harrison Ford & Karen Allen in **Raiders of the Lost Ark**. Joel McCrea & Veronica Lake in **Sullivan’s Travels**. And for worst: Ralph Fiennes & Uma Thurman in **the Avengers**. Ryan O’Neal & Ali McGraw in **Love Story**. Barbara Streisand & anyone in **any Barbara Streisand movie ever made** , but especially the particularly ludicrous version of **A Star Is Born** she did with Kris Kristoferson. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/13 "2007-08-20T18:27:37Z")
Last time we did this: Bad: Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant in Two Weeks Notice. (This led into a side conversation about who Hugh Grant does have good chemistry with - because it ain’t Andie McDowell either) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/14 "2007-08-20T18:45:03Z")
[QUOTE=Dangerosa] (This led into a side conversation about who Hugh Grant does have good chemistry with - because it ain’t Andie McDowell either) [/QUOTE] With Emma Thompson in _Sense and Sensibility_, of course. They have that rare beauty - intellectual chemistry. Elinor being the sensible sister, you don’t expect grand fireworks, but the scene when she struggles so hard not to cry in front of him is just so sweet, and I totally bought (for once) that she would be drawn to his bumbling sweetness. Also with Nicholas Hoult in _About a Boy_, but that’s a different sort of chemistry altogether. See also: Jonny Depp and Freddy Highmore in _Finding Neverland_ and in _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in _Before Sunrise_ and _Before Sunset_ were old school Hollywood magic chemistry up there with Bogart and Bacall. I wasn’t sure they could pull it off again after so long, but it was beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/15 "2007-08-20T18:50:13Z")
The Bridget Jones movies ain’t exactly high art, but I thought Hugh had great chemistry with Renee Zellweger. He was perfectly believable as the charming “wrong guy” because that’s the act he puts on 24/7. ---
**Author:** ![Orual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/16 "2007-08-20T19:02:47Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] William Powell and Myrna Loy made six Thin Man movies and were paired another half dozen times. Most of the country thought they really were married. They set the standard. [/QUOTE] Dagnabit. I was coming in here to mention Nick and Nora Charles. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/17 "2007-08-20T19:32:29Z")
Worst: Jessica Lange & Jack Nicholson in the remake of “The Postman Always Rings Twice” - who knew sex could be so…unsexy. Annette Bening & Warren Beatty in the remake of “An Affair to Remember”. Zero chemistry. Best: Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed in “It’s A Wonderful Life” - in particular the scene at Mary’s house when she’s on the phone with Sam Wainwright and George is there with her (the “George Lassoes the Moon” scene). Hot. VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/18 "2007-08-20T19:32:38Z")
Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt in “As Good As It Gets”. To this day, I do NOT understand why the pair wound up “together”. They were just so _ **wrong** _ as lovers. Admittedly, that’s because of the combination of age difference and the way their characters (his, especially) were portrayed; it would have made for a stronger, more uplifting movie if the friendship had simply humanized him (and it did). THe extra step turned it from “personal growth, everyone is a better person because of it” to “Derivative Plot Development Chart says ‘It’s not a happy ending without some romance’”. But I’d have a hard time seeing those two wind up together even if they both started out as nice, likable strong characters. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/19 "2007-08-20T19:39:43Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] With Emma Thompson in _Sense and Sensibility_, of course. They have that rare beauty - intellectual chemistry. Elinor being the sensible sister, you don’t expect grand fireworks, but the scene when she struggles so hard not to cry in front of him is just so sweet, and I totally bought (for once) that she would be drawn to his bumbling sweetness. [/QUOTE] I think his bumbling sweetness works well against Julia Roberts in Notting Hill as well - and bought the attraction between him and the girl in Love Actually (though I didn’t buy him as the PM), but he does seem to be someone who in some combinations is like toothpaste and orange juice. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232/20 "2007-08-20T19:46:57Z")
Best: Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon in _Bull Durham_. Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford in the first three \*Star Wars \* films Worst: Tom Cruise and anyone, especially Nicole Kidman in _Eyes Wide Shut_ and _Days of Thunder_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-movie-couples/416232.md?page=2)