The year 2022 comes to an end and on December 31st friends and family reunite to welcome 2023. Traditionally, “The 90th Birthday” or “Dinner for One” is played before that. But not only the sketch from 1963 creates a New Year’s Eve mood. These film classics are at least as good for looking forward to champagne corks or spectacular fireworks.
Probably the most famous fake orgasm in film history is thanks to the comedy “Harry and Sally”. The diner where the scene was filmed still has a sign to indicate it. The real highlight is the romance between Meg Ryan (61) and Billy Crystal (74) on New Year’s Eve. The story has heart and brain. The screenplay of the 1989 strip was even nominated for an Oscar.
Four completely different people (including Pierce Brosnan, 69) meet by chance on the roof of a skyscraper on New Year’s Eve and stop each other from jumping down. They become friends and make a pact by Valentine’s Day. The touching story about the value of life and friendship definitely has some weaknesses. The colorful mixture of characters harmonizes charmingly. In addition, the film sets some good serious accents.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s (48) iconic portrayal of the bon vivant Jay Gatsby is for many the first thing they associate with a perfect New Year’s Eve party. Quite a few “Great Gatsby” parties are based on the style of the strip. The drama about the millionaire and his complicated love life is not just beautiful to look at. Gatsby’s story takes a tragic turn. Nevertheless, the stylish adaptation of the novel is one of the most popular films around the turn of the year.
Four movies in one? Also from star directors like Quentin Tarantino (59)? The fast episodic film “Four Rooms” offers this luxury. The bellboy Ted (Tim Roth, 61) interacts with various weird guests on New Year’s Eve – and that’s on his first day at work. There are numerous Hollywood stars like Salma Hayek (56), Madonna (64) or Tarantino himself, who drive the page crazy. Each room has its own storyline that the viewer experiences from Ted’s point of view. This is often highly bizarre and hilarious, even if not every episode ignites.
In the romantic comedy “Happy New Year” the name says it all: A star-studded feel-good cinema à la “Actually… Love”, in which the New Year is celebrated exuberantly. There are not only US stars like Zac Efron (35), Sarah Jessica Parker (57) or Ashton Kutcher (44), but also the German actor Til Schweiger (59). The result is by no means a cinematic masterpiece, but the right mood boost for the next 365 days.
