Dating Madness: Most Inspirational Movie Couple

I love March Madness! Always have, always will. The exciting college basketball post-season tournament has a special place in my heart. As does dating. (Though that love came much, much later than that of my fandom of the greatest sporting event on earth.) So when a friend recently asked me about combining my two loves, they didn't have to do much selling. I was ALL IN! Yet, what exactly would the competition be about? After a bit of brainstorming, it was all about the ultimate Date Like the Movies question. One, in which, I love asking people from all walks of life.

What is your favorite or most inspirational movie couple?

That was it! Finally, it was time to get to the bottom of figuring out just which movie couple was the most inspirational of all. After soliciting movie couple ideas from friends, family, and Date Like the Movie fans, the field of 64 was set, organized into 4 regions: Pre-1990, 1990's, 2000's and Animated. Surveys and polls went out, asking folks to vote in each match-up for the couple who they felt was more inspirational. The couple with the most votes advanced to the following round, while the losers packed their bags. The recap is what follows...

Even from the beginning, it was evident that many of us have such strong opinions when it comes to the movies we like or dislike. Or in this case, more specifically, the relationships that inspire us. I was no exception. How in the world did my Rocky and Adrian get knocked out in the 1st round? Seriously!

It was an exciting round, as the 64 selected couples were cut in half. There were the expected blowouts with The Notebook’s Noah and Allie, The Princess Bride’s Westley and Buttercup, and Henry and Lucy from 50 First Dates all securing dominating victories. And of course, my animated crush Belle, brought her A game with the only victory securing every single vote as Beauty and the Beast shutout The Little Mermaid’s Ariel and Prince Eric. That almost makes up for Rocky’s demise. Almost.

As with any exciting March Madness round, this initial one also had its fair share of nail-biters. I was a bit stunned that Titanic’s Rose and Jack escaped with only a one-vote victory over Notting Hill’s Will and Anna. Though I’m not the biggest Titanic fan. It’s still Titanic. Yet, they lived to see another day! The other single vote winners included Crazy Rich Asian’s Rachel and Nick (over Sara and Derek from Save the Last Dance) and Jasmine and Aladdin (over Giselle and Robert from Enchanted). I have a beef with that last one. I'd take Giselle over Jasmine any day of the week.

Despite my disagreements with certain results, I stayed true to my commitment of not meddling with any outcomes. Let’s move on to Round 2.

As only two second round couples won by securing more than 80% of the votes in their match-ups, the close calls highlighted this step on the road to the Final 4. The romantic comedy queen, Drew Barrymore, found herself on both sides of one-vote outcomes. Landon and Jamie from A Walk to Remember took down the Barrymore and Adam Sandler flick, 50 First Dates. However, the Barrymore/Sandler duo rebounded nicely with their own win by a single vote in taking down Joe and Kathleen in You’ve Got Mail. WOW...talk about a power match-up! But I digress, let’s get to the Sweet 16…

The race to move on tightened as no Sweet 16 winners received more than 70% of the votes. Though the couples from It’s a Wonderful Life, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Up were just a tick under that threshold as they continued their victory-winning ways. My favorite Disney animated film, Beauty and the Beast finally bowed out in a close showdown against Shrek. It was a sad day to bid farewell to Belle. One couple that surprised me throughout the tournament was Maria and The Captain from The Sound of Music. They gave Westley and Buttercup all they could handle, but eventually succumb in a one vote defeat to The Princess Bride.

Speaking of The Princess Bride, they kicked off the Elite 8 by losing a back-and-forth controversial nail-biter to George and Mary from It’s a Wonderful Life. Though slightly surprised, I was OK with that one, because…well, George and Mary are awesome! They were joined in the Final 4 by The Wedding Singer in an epic take down of While You Were Sleeping. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t believe it…guess they do call this madness for a reason! To no one’s surprise, The Notebook won the 2000’s region, though My Big Fat Greek Wedding is so good…both the couple and the movie. (If you haven’t seen it, you now have homework.) And lastly, Ellie and Carl wrapped up the Elite 8 by rolling through Shrek and Fiona in a contest that I thought would be much closer, securing a Final 4 spot in winning the animated region. The Final 4 was set!

The Final 4 lived up to the hype with both match-ups going down to the wire, and just for fun, I’m saying Robbie and Julia's victory over George and Mary was an overtime thriller. In other words, Barrymore and Sandler won yet again…by a single vote. WOW…I need to watch that one again soon! And as for my pre-season pick. The Notebook saw their title hopes end against Up. Some folks were happy, and some were not. Such is life, but at any rate, the final showdown was set.

With the March Madness song One Shining Moment stuck on repeat inside my head, there could only be one. After the first 6 votes came in as an even split, there were hints that we'd have a hotly contest, back-and forth championship match. Yet, Ellie and Carl were not to be denied as they soon surged to the lead, never looking back. And in the end, with 88% of the votes, the couple from Up were rightfully crowned as the 2024 Dating Madness Champions, taking their rightful place as the Most Inspirational Movie Couple.

I loved hearing their WHY as to the reasons many voters find Ellie and Carl from Up so inspirational, and in conclusion, I'll give a few of them the final word...

"Carl and Ellie are the absolute best!! They start as children and love each other through it all. After Ellie dies and Carl still tries to make her dream of adventure come true, it shows what true love really looks like." – Krista

"It’s the everyday ordinary love but shows how beautiful that can be!" – SheriKay

"Their love story, how they fell in love based on their common love for adventure, how their love got each other through life's highs and lows, how Carl loved Ellie so much and clearly missed her after losing her, how Ellie left a note for Carl telling him to go have his own adventure after she was gone and helped him get back out there again." – Kristin

"The love between Ellie and Carl is truly a representation of a love of a lifetime. Through the tumultuous experience of infertility, you can see the way they come into each other for support. After Ellie is gone Carl is so distraught missing his life partner that he isn’t sure how to go on in life. They truly showcase the vows so many of us take to seal our love and commitment. “Through sickness and in health, for rich or poor, to have and to hold,” and that is incredibly inspiring." – Haylee

That's a wrap folks, until next year... But in the meantime, let us know in the comments below: Did you agree with the results or not? What was your biggest surprise? What did you think of the competition?

Until next time, keep dating.