Gary Marshall was a talented man that did a lot during his career and started off as a joke writer as well as a writer for The Tonight Show. His movies were some of the most classic examples of comedy and are still considered to be some of the best of a generation even though they’re now getting remakes that aren’t meant to besmirch his work but still seem kind of an unnecessary addendum to history. Still, it must speak volumes if someone wanted to take what he’d done and try to emulate it in some way since the movies he created were in fact that great. He didn’t produce a blockbuster every time but a lot of his movies had a recurring theme that painted definite pictures of women that weren’t entirely weak but were uncertain at first and then became stronger as the movie rolled on. Gary Marshall passed away at the age of 81 just last year, but he’s still fondly remembered.
Here are some of his best films.
5. Overboard
Joanna Stayton was one of the most snotty and self-absorbed women to ever step onto the screen but when she fell off of her luxury yacht and landed in the chill waters of the Pacific she developed a serious case of amnesia. Dean Proffitt, the man she’d just recently stiffed when it came to paying for a job he’d done, sees this as an opportunity to get his money’s worth as she becomes his ‘wife’ and learns how to take care of a home and his kids. What neither of them expected was that they would eventually fall for each other.
4. Runaway Bride
Maggie has a reputation for leaving men at the altar since she’s done it three times already. At this point it’s almost as though any guy trying to marry her is doing so just to be the one that finally landed the ‘runaway bride’ as she’s been deemed. The reporter that’s there to basically save his reputation by reaffirming hers however can’t help but feel something for her when they finally meet.
3. The Princess Diaries
It’s the dream that many girls would never dare believe when Mia finds out that she’s a real princess. The only downside is that now she has to figure out how to act like a princess and understand everything that comes with it. That might be a dream for anyone that didn’t realize just what it takes to act and live like royalty every single day of their life.
2. Pretty Woman
Edward and Vivian make a cute couple but the fact in the movie remains that they are from two very different worlds. This becomes apparent throughout the film as Edward fumbles through making his feelings known while Vivian tries to hold to the fantasy that she might have finally found her Cinderella story after all. In the end Edward can’t help but give her the storybook ending she always wanted and the beginning to a new life that she can’t resist.
1. Beaches
Time and distance don’t do much to friendships that are based on mutual respect, love, and a deep bond that can form in an instant. Cecilia and Hillary meet under the boardwalk as children and from that point on are best friends no matter what obstacles life throws at them. It’s hard to imagine anyone remaking this movie, but it did happen.
Here’s to you Mr. Marshall. Rest in peace sir.
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