Fooling for love cinema

July 13, 10:44 AMScam ExaminerKarin Malchow

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Perhaps many people pretend to be someone they're not in the early relationship stage, but these award-winning films take it to a higher (or lower?) level.  Chance of relationship-based-on-deception success rated on a scale of 1 to 10.

Working Girl (1988) -- Melanie Griffith impersonates the boss climbing the success ladder, snagging Harrison Ford on the way up, as the Oscar-winning song "Let the River Run" crescendos.

Chance of success:  Middle-of-the-road 5, since Ford's acting style makes his character emotionally unreadable, as usual.

Aladdin (1992) -- Princess Jasmine forgives Aladdin's princely ruse; he arguably was a prince after Robin Williams' genie granted his wish.  Oscar for Best Score and Best Song.

Chance of success:  Despite a television show and direct-to-video sequels (including the wedding), 3.  It's not about social class difference; relationships just don't have a chance when a monkey and Gilbert Gottfried-talking parrot are involved.

Various Superheroes -- including Superman (1978 Visual Effects Oscar), Batman (1989, Art Direction), and Spiderman (2004's No. 2 won Visual Effects).

Chance of success:  Comic book fans already know the answer: 0.  Even Spidey's long-term union has mysteriously ended, although nothing is certain.   Anyway, who do these women really love, the man or the myth?

Roman Holiday (1953) -- Audrey Hepburn's Oscar-winning performance as a princess trying to be a regular girl.  Double-scamming occurs when Gregory Peck disguises his journalist status, knowing her secret.

Chance of success:  6.  She recognizes her duty, he chooses not exposing her indiscretion, and they part amicably.  Still, they make such an elegant couple, one can dream of their eyes locking at a future press conference.

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) -- Thief Jamie Lee Curtis scams lawyer John Cleese to find the loot.  Revealing her world-famous cleavage while pretending to be a law student,  she leaves Oscar winner Kevin Kline under a steamroller.

Chance of success:  10.  Who are we to doubt the closing credits?

Sullivan's Travels (1941) -- A bit of a cheat with no awards, but selected for the National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."  Joel McCrea's rich director pretends to be poor for his art, picking up Veronica Lake on the way down.

Chance of success:  8.  Should be higher after Sullivan's revelatory experience, but they do return to a high-profile entertainment industry life.