“You love her, but she loves him. And he loves somebody else … And so it goes until the day you die. This thing they call love, it’s gonna make you cry.” The J. Geils Band was right on the money with their ’80s hit—love stinks. The unrequited kind sure does, anyway. Then again, as countless movies and books have demonstrated, that’s also the kind we find most compelling. Just look at the mania surrounding Twilight and its final installment, Breaking Dawn. But Bella, Edward, and Jacob are hardly the first love triangle to tug at audiences’ heartstrings and tickle their tear ducts. Before what’s likely to be the most talked-about love triangle of 2011 even entered the public consciousness, these famous on-and-off couples of film and literature captured everyone’s attention.
The Great Gatsby: Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan
Gatsby’s love for Daisy drives him to an obsession with wealth and the lifestyle associated with it—all to improve his standing in her eyes and win over her heart. She and Gatsby fell in love before he left for the war, but after his departure, she married the rich and influential Tom Buchanan instead. The book and film adaptation chronicle Daisy and Gatsby’s reunion and the nasty triangle that ensues.
Gone with the Wind: Scarlett O’Hara, Ashley Wilkes, and Rhett Butler
Scarlett spends the majority of Gone with the Wind pining after Ashley, a man she idealizes as her perfect match, but he ultimately rejects her for his cousin Melanie. Sexy and scandal-inducing Rhett Butler is much more her equal, although Scarlett doesn’t realize it until quite late in the story. But fortunately for her, “quite late” doesn’t mean “too late”—after all, tomorrow is another day.
Bridget Jones’s Diary: Bridget Jones, Daniel Cleaver, and Mark Darcy
Is there a heart in the audience that doesn’t swell with happiness when Mark quietly says to Bridget, “I don’t think you’re an idiot at all. I mean, there are elements of the ridiculous about you … But in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I like you. Very much. Just as you are”? Oh, Mark. How Bridget doesn’t jump into his arms right then and there, we’ll never know. Daniel, despite being a total scoundrel, apparently still has a hold on her at that point. The fight between the two men ends up being a draw, but everyone knew who the real winner was all along.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo
Even if you haven’t seen the entire Star Wars saga unfold over the years, you probably know that Luke and Leia find out along the way that they’re siblings. But in the first installment of the series, Luke has a big crush on Leia, who’s both drawn to and repelled by Han Solo. The love triangle ends up fizzling quickly (finding out you’re related will do that sometimes), but it’s intriguing while it lasts.
Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth Bennet, George Wickham, and Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth initially writes off Mr. Darcy, and perhaps not unfairly—after all, he does turn his nose up at what he considers inferior to him, including some of the other characters. Instead, she’s charmed by Mr. Wickham. Then she finds out some unsettling news about his past and finds herself liking Darcy more and more, especially as he learns to let go of his snobbery and reveal his kinder side.
The Age of Innocence: Newland Archer, May Welland, and Ellen Olenska
After his engagement to May, Newland sees nothing but blue skies and a blissful future ahead of him—that is, until May’s cousin Ellen comes to town on the heels of a scandalous separation from her husband. At first, he finds the whole situation distasteful, but the more he gets to know her, the more he understands her decision. They fall in love, but Ellen insists that Newland forget about her and marry May. As is the case with most love triangles, it’s a very painful experience for everyone involved.
Pretty in Pink: Andie Walsh, Blane McDonough, and Duckie (Phil Dale)
Andie and Blane have a rocky start to their relationship, what with her being from the wrong side of the tracks and his being too wimpy to stand up to his snobby friends. Plus, her best friend, Duckie, doesn’t make their courtship any easier. The poor guy’s been in love with Andie for years, but she sees him as only a friend. Will true love help Andie and Blane move past their differences? Will Duckie get ditched at the end, only to catch the eye of an attractive blond girl at the prom? Watch the movie to find out!
The Graduate: Ben Braddock, Elaine Robinson, Mrs. Robinson
“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me,” Ben realizes in the book and the movie. And how! But their secret affair comes to a screeching halt when Ben falls for Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine. The mother threatens to tell Elaine everything, so Ben tells her first—and naturally, Elaine is grossed out beyond belief and flees back to college. Ben follows her there and tries to patch things up, but a justifiably angry Mr. Robinson intervenes and arranges for Elaine to marry a classmate she dated, named Carl. Ben rushes to the church to stop the marriage and the whole story ends … well, not happily, per se. More like pensively.
The Princess Bride: Westley, Buttercup, and Prince Humperdinck
Westley and Buttercup only have eyes for each other, but Prince Humperdinck is determined to marry Buttercup—not because he loves her that much, but because he wants to call the most beautiful woman in the land his own. The movie tells the story of Buttercup’s unhappiness, Westley’s determination to save her, and Humperdinck’s vengeance against him. A giant, a miracle worker, and some excellent fight scenes are involved as well.
Werewolf-vampire-human love triangles may be hot today, but these on-and-off couples have stood the test of time and will continue to enchant and break the hearts of audiences for years to come. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to watch the YouTube video of Mark Darcy professing his “like” to Bridget for the eighth time today.