Though there’s significant appeal in working with, befriending or even romancing folks with similar temperaments and relatable interests, there’s no denying the sparks that fly from couples as different as night and day.
The concept of attracting opposites has for centuries drawn the attention of artists and philosophers. “Baby seems we never agree, you like the movies, and I like TV. I take things serious, and you take ’em light. I go to bed early, and I party all night.” Rare insight there, from Paula Abdul and MC Skat Kat.
“Our friends are sayin’, we ain’t gonna last. Cuz I move slowly, and baby I’m fast. I like it quiet, and I love to shout. But,” stress the couple, “when we get together, it just all works out.”
It just all works out.
Consider the yin and yang of Chinese philosophy, the idea of seemingly opposite or contrary forces actually being complementary, interconnected and interdependent.
In a nutshell, she takes two steps forward while he takes two steps back. But they come together, ’cos opposites attract.
Having made our point, we now present a quintet of classic movie partnerships that work, not in spite of, but because of their differences.
Because every Princess deserves a scoundrel, and every scoundrel needs a Princess.
They didn’t last, of course, but there’s so much more to a great relationship than simple longevity. Saving the galaxy together, for example, fighting a war in the stars, is way more meaningful than simply running out the clock.
Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) doesn’t believe. At least, not for a very long time. Even after encountering scores of supernatural creatures from other worlds, she holds onto her scepticism so tightly, she could choke it. Logical and even-tempered, she’s the first port of call for Mulder’s crazy ideas.
Together, they’re the best they can be. Far better, more interesting and certainly more entertaining than they’d ever be apart.
Whether you agree with X-Files creator Chris Carter, who insists their relationship is entirely platonic, or, like most fans, you believe them to be crazy in love, Mulder and Scully rank among sci fi’s highest functioning odd couples.
We believe in them.
He was a giant ape, the King of Skull Island. Though adored by the natives, with non-stop monsters to fight for fun, he nevertheless felt a hole in his life that couldn’t be filled. Not even with unlimited bananas.
The moment she saw him she screamed. Screamed for her life.
The moment he saw her, he swore to protect her from every T-Rex, Biplane and plot device that came between them. And he did. And he was surprisingly tender.
Theirs was a bond than transcended geography, language, species and size. A tale as old as time... Song as old as rhyme... beauty and the beast.
Why, though, does Marge put up with Homer?
“I know what I can offer you that no one else can,” says Homer during a rare moment of clarity. “Complete and utter dependence!
“I need you more than anyone else on this entire planet could possibly ever need you! I need you to take care of me, to put up with me, and most of all I need you to love me, 'cause I love you.”
“I must admit,” says Marge with a smile. “You certainly do make a gal feel needed.”
Just turned 50 and feeling anything but nifty, Murtaugh’s (Danny Glover) a by-the-book detective, cautious and domestic with a boat, a house, a family and a cat to maintain. The last thing he thinks he needs is to be partnered with some gung-ho lunatic with blow-dried hair and a death wish.
Seems every buddy cop flick ever made features partners who have nothing in common. First they hate one another. Later they develop a grudging respect. Ultimately, they’re thick as thieves. Friends till the end. It’s what critics call a trope. A theme. A movie cliché. Yet, we still think of this Lethal pair as the ultimate example of opposite’s attracting in a competitive genre.