Hollywood's Best Breakup Lines? and the 9 Nominees Are.
By JBPravda for BounceBack.com
In anticipation of the Oscars, here are some of the best breakup lines ever penned by Hollywood's playwrights. The list includes lines from all-time classics as well as more contemporary flicks. Regardless of generation, the point remains the same: it's over.
And the nine nominees for Best Breakup Lines in Hollywood History are:
1. Knocked Up (2007)
Anonymous sex between Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) leads to, well, that thing that pops out after about 9 months.
Quote: "Just go. Because we didn't mean to do this together, okay? And we tried to make it work and that was good, I suppose. But it doesn't work. Because we are two completely different people. And I think it would just be easier for both of us if we stop fooling ourselves." -- Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl)
Is she bluffing or just plain angry? Either way, she knew how to smoke out whether he was a do-right sort.
Related: Is Staying in Relationship for Sex OK?
2. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Sexless friendship between opposite (opposing?) genders, can it work?
Quote: "I am the dog!? I... I don't see that, Harry. If anybody is the dog, you are the dog. You want to act like what happened didn't mean anything… Because it does! And you should know that better than anybody because the minute that it happened you walked right out the door." -- Sally Albright (Meg Ryan)
Related: Opposites Attract: But Should They?
3. Jerry Maguire (1996)
This deserves the appelation 'classic', from the same lips that caved in at 'Hello'.
Quote: "Come on, Jerry. You know this isn't easy for me. I mean, on the surface, you'd almost think everything was fine. See, I've got this great guy who loves my kid -- and he sure does like me a lot. I can't live that way. It's not the way I'm built." - Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger)
Related: Complement or Compromise: Does Your Partner Really Complete You?
4. The Blues Brothers (1980)
Another classic, even if you can't sing like Aretha (who can?), this one's useful when a supposed partner gets wanderlust.
Quote: "You better think about what you're saying. You better think about the consequences of your actions." -- Mrs. Murphy (Aretha Franklin)
5. Gone with the Wind (1939)
A classic tease, Scarlett O. has met her match.
Quote: "You're such a child," Rhett says. He tells her he's leaving her and she chases him down the stairs, begging him not to go.
"I only know that I love you!" she pleads. "That's your misfortune," he responds.
In the most potent breakup line to pass human lips, Rhett ultimately tells Scarlett, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
Related: The 10 Worst Ways to Break Up With Someone
6. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1960)
While he was no cat lover, Holly's 'lightly abandoning of her cat puts George Peppard over the line.
Quote: "You know what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-you-are? You're chicken, you've got no guts. You're afraid to stick out your chin and say, 'Okay, life's a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to each other, because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness.' You call yourself a free spirit, a 'wild thing,' and you're terrified somebody's gonna stick you in a cage. Well baby, you're already in that cage. You built it yourself. And it's not bounded in the west by Tulip, Texas, or in the east by Somali-land. It's wherever you go. Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself."
7. Say Anything (1983)
In his car with 'her', John Cusack moans: "I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen."
Related: Does Love at First Sight Exist, or is it Lust?
8. The Social Network (2010)
The epitome of being at cross-purposes, the nerd gets his 'file' deleted.
Quote: "You are probably going to be a very successful computer person. But you're going to go through life thinking that girls don't like you because you're a nerd. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won't be true. It'll be because you're an ass. " -- Erica Albright (Rooney Mara)
Related: Why Shoes Matter: 3 Signs He's so Wrong
9. Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
Office romance to boot, here art imitates life -- Liz Hurley promptly hurled Hugh to the 'loo'.
Quote: "If staying here means working within ten yards of you, frankly, I'd rather have a job wiping Saddam Hussein's arse." -- Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger)
Related: Should You Have an Office Affair?
These are the nominees -- you decide which one works best. The envelope, please...
What's the most Hollywood-worthy breakup line you've ever heard?
JBPravda's ears have heard much as lawyer/lobbyist and multimedia artist; they'd love to hear from you @ www.jbpravda.com
BounceBack.com helps people find happiness in the right relationship. If you've been through a breakup, divorce, or just haven't been able to find happiness in your love life, BounceBack is a place to tell your story, get community support and advice from experts, and find the confidence and strength you need to move forward. Check out our Facebook page.
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The Betrayal Test: Can You Pass and Move On?
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