LIFE & CULTURE

The Vintage Movies The marie claire Editors Are Turning To In Self-Isolation

A welcome trip down memory lane

Although we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to film (and not to mention, spoilt for time thanks to our journey into self-isolation), there’s something to be said about popping on a vintage film that brings all kinds of the warm and fuzzies. From films that you watched repeatedly with friends as a teen or ones that you find brings comfort when you’ve had a bad week – everyone has that one go-to film they can’t help but rewatch time and time again. 

The marie claire editors included. Here is the team’s list of their favourite classic movies of all time, from the obvious and extremely quote-able (Romy and Michele and Bring It On) to the ones we’ve forgotten about but could definitely do with watching right now. So enjoy your long weekend viewing, courtesy of us. 

Kathryn Madden, Acting Features Director

Clueless! Cher Horowitz’s wardrobe is everything, and her tweed blazers and Calvin Klein slips remain surprisingly relevant today. I can still recite the whole movie by heart. “That was way harsh, Tai.”

Alley Pascoe, Acting Features Editor

There is never a bad time to watch Hunt For The Wilderpeople. It’s a piece of cinematic gold and I truly believe Ricky Baker is my spirit animal. If you need me, I’ll be re-watching this movie for the 12th time and learning all the words to Ricky’s Birthday Song. “Ricky Baker, now you are 13 years old. You are a teenager and you are good as gold…”  

Jana Pokorny, Fashion Director

Betty Blue and the Wizard of OZ.

betty blue
A scene from ‘Betty Blue’

Danielle Taylor, Art Director 

Watching Pretty Woman for the millionth time. Very timely while it celebrates its 30 year anniversary.

Lucy Taylor, Junior Features Writer

Pretty Woman: This is not just my favourite old-school movie, it is my favourite movie of all time, closely contested with The Breakfast Club. 

'Pretty Woman' stands a firm favourite among the marie claire team
‘Pretty Woman’ stands a firm favourite among the marie claire team (Credit: Getty)

Chloe Buttenshaw, Senior Fashion Editor

Working Girl for sure! Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford are everything in this movie and the sounds track is so good. 

Anna McCooe, Lifestyle Editor

I could watch The Princess Bride a million times over. A little escapism, and baby Robyn Wright, is everything I need right now. Also, I know Woody Allen is controversial but Annie Hall is all time. It features Diane Keaton at her gamine best and this quote: “I feel that life is divided into the horrible and the miserable. That’s the two categories. The horrible are like, I don’t know, terminal cases, you know, and blind people, crippled. I don’t know how they get through life. It’s amazing to me. And the miserable is everyone else. So you should be thankful that you’re miserable, because that’s very lucky, to be miserable.”

harrison ford
‘Working Girl’

Sarah Hughes, Creative Director

The internet told me that Steven Sondheim just turned 90, so I watched Gypsy. It’s about a stage mother and her untalented daughter who ends up a stripper/burlesque dancer (Surprise! She’s really hot). Pretty raunchy for the 60s.

Isobel Larkin, Digital Content Editor

Bring It On. It reminds me of good old fashioned sleepover parties during the school days (what a time!) and I’m a bit ashamed to admit it but I still know all the words to the cheer chants – “I SAID BRRR! IT’S COLD IN HERE!”

Natalie Wood (1938 - 1981) as stripper Gypsy Rose Lee
Natalie Wood as stripper Gypsy Rose Lee (Credit: Getty)

Lucy Cousins, Wellness Editor

Dirty Dancing! It’s got it all – sexy dancing, forbidden love, women’s rights, and a very, very hot young Patrick Swayze.

Monica Russell, Fashion Editor

Uncle Buck!! A favourite from my childhood. For providing big belly laughs, and some outfit inspo (thank you Tia!). I look forward to rewatching this while in lockdown.

Ella Blinco Jury, Market Editor

True Romance. Although quite graphic and gory (written by Quentin Tarantino) I love this film for its stellar cast, costumes and underlying love story. 

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