The Crying Guys Start WhINE-ing
You’d think that a bunch of 30- and 40-something guys would have better things to do than to get together every couple of months and shed tears over the likes of Colin Firth, Andie McDowell, Anthony Hopkins and Hugh Grant. Particularly this group of married chaps who, while being mostly Alpha in maleness, all share a soft spot for those movies that have chicks, rather than dudes, in mind. While their counterparts are sitting in rapt attention watching the latest action or sci-fi flick, or relishing their umpteenth viewing of the Godfather, we men find joy in watching these movies that are short on action and make us just a little weak in the knees.
We all came together in serendipitous ways; never imagining that we would find brotherhood in a shared delight for movies where the man is both anti-hero and hero. Much like the male characters in the movies we all find appealing; all of whom find love in a route less direct than Magellan’s trip around Cape Horn, we all bumped into each other without warning and fanfare. The fact that we all sought out those quiet moments to watch films like “Notting Hill,” “Love Actually,” “The Crush,” and “While You Were Sleeping;” well, just consider it a guy thing.
These stories have become their own genre by turning the tables cinematically; allowing the girl to take the lead in the story and get the guy. I suppose we all daydream about being approached or seduced like the young church organist in Andie McDowell’s “Crush,” or waking up to find that Sandra Bullock became smitten with us while we slept; or having the likes of Julia Roberts object to you getting married. All men should be so lucky.
And while they make us weep for joy, watching these movies also works up our appetites. What’s a movie without some food and drink? As appealing as the films are to our hearts, we are still hungry men and need sustenance to help us sustain the outpouring of all this emotion. Crying is hard work and we need to keep up our strength, which comes in the form of some of the most delicious pot luck dinners and creative wine pairings not found in your neighborhood megaplex. Of course, when we decide on what meal to prepare for each movie we watch, it is not without some thought as to plot, actors and setting. Filmmaking 101 meets not-so haute cuisine.
I’ve listed a few of the Crying Guys favorite flicks with an accompanying meal and wine; all for your viewing pleasure.
Love Actually & Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
More than just a lovely and sentimental Christmas movie, it’s really a heartfelt, touching and mostly funny, romantic comedy of several intertwined relationships. The juxtaposed characters are all a few degrees separated from one another and intermingle at the same time; and driven by love; acquired and unrequited.
At Christmas, there is nothing better than a ham to ward of the winter chill and a nice Pinot Noir to drink. I’ve recently been introduced to Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, one of the best values and tasting Pinots I’ve had in a while. I’m a big fan of Pinots that border on big, yet retain their fruitiness. Like Love Actually, this wine has a fusion of story lines and combines rich cherry, pomegranate, other berry fruits, with a hint of mandarin orange and a Christmas favorite of cinnamon and spice.
Crush & 2007 Poet’s Leap Riesling
Imagine three forty-something single women in the UK (Andie McDowell plays an American transplant and school headmistress) who form a bond over their lonely and forlorn lives that are lived mostly without love, and men. Then McDowell takes up with a former student and her May-December romance – which she unsuccessfully tries to keep from her friends – becomes the focal point of the film.
And while McDowell and her two forty-something cohorts gather regularly for chats of men fueled by chocolate and gin, we opt for a nice roast chicken to pull apart. My chicken calls for lots of garlic and lemon accents, so I want a Riesling that is somewhat dry, although not shy in the fruit category. Poet’s Leap Riesling 2007 from Washington is my choice. It’s nicely balanced with crisp fruits (apple, pear and honey tickle the tongue) and low acidity and does not “crush” the flavor of the chicken.
Notting Hill & 2004 Vina Santa Rita Cabernet
Can love work between the ordinary and extraordinary? Probably not in real life, but were talking movies here. In this film Hugh Grant’s pitiful nobody somehow casts a spell over Julia Roberts’ Hollywood star character that yearns for a life of normalcy away from the bright lights of celebrity. In Grant, and his bookstore proprietor character she finds the perfect conduit to help her dreams unfold.
Despite her film persona, Roberts has always struck me as a good old southern girl, not afraid to tear into a piece of bloody beef. So steak and all the fixins’ is paired with a 2004 Vina Santa Rita Cabernet. One of the guys had it last year during a trip to and although the deep color, and smoky blackcurrant and cherry overtones will make you weep, the price will slap a smile on your face. A word to the wise, for the past few years Chilean wines have been positioned as great values; well a recent stop at my local wine store tells me that they are beginning to inch up in price. So buy many and often.
Joy Luck Club & Ravenswood Zinfandel
Leave it to a story about mothers and daughters to tug at the heart strings of a group of guys. Unfortunately, the male characters are mostly unredeemable and this film has more men behaving badly per square inch of celluloid than any movie I can recall. But in the end the powerful Chinese women knit their families together with diverse threads into a single tapestry. This is one of those “duh?” moments when it comes to what to eat. Movie about Chinese women? Gotta try our hand at Chinese cooking. None of us is Chinese, but because wife is a native of Shanghai, I usually get the cooking nod.
Mooshi Pork with crepe-like pancakes is a Chinese equivalent of our comfort food and always a big hit when we watch this movie. It’s sweet and savory, so I am reaching for a Ravenswood Zinfandel. It’s got the muscle to withstand the sweetness of the hoi sin sauce and sherry, but an aftertaste of raspberries and vanilla that brigs great joy to this movie club.
So, we come together every couple of months with hearts on our sleeves, handkerchiefs in one hand and a wine glass for an evening of male bawling and drinking. Just a bunch of boys, “standing in front of a girl, asking her to love him.” As well as, what wine would you like to drink with dinner?
Running as bi-weekly series, Paul Kidwell – an everyday guy who likes wine without the pretense – dives into people’s passions, both art and wine.
This could be the most genius post yet – love the selections (movies and wine!) Another great add… The Notebook and Santa Margharita