I love White Palace. It is romantic, bittersweet and fun. Sometimes it is realistic and sometimes not. But it is lovely and modern. It was shot in 1990, but this is a story about a relationship some people would frown upon even today.

It goes against the usual norms of starting a relationship. Well remember anything from the book/movie he is not just that into you? (Well, you can read about it here). The guy is not all that into you if you have to pick him from the bar, get yourself a ride home, convince him to stay over, and jump on him when he is sleeping and initiate everything? How does a love story come out of here? Bear with me, here.

Nora (Susan Sarandon) is a 43-year-old waitress working at a fast food restaurant.  Max is a 27-year-old advertising executive going places. They really have nothing in common. Max is organized and controlled, whereas Nora is a messy, free-spirited woman. They meet by chance when Max stops by the restaurant and then run across each other at a bar. Nora is all over this beautiful guy (oh yes, Susan Sarandon is attractive but a James Spader in his 20s is the perfect male beauty). Max is so wasted, he can’t even react properly. He is still upset about his wife’s death even after two years have passed. But somehow he finds himself at Nora’s. After spending the night together, Max goes home. He would never consider seeing Nora again, but he realizes this is the most fun he has had in such a long time. So he starts hanging out with her. And instead of a relationship based on just sex, this turns into a relationship where they are crazy about each other. But Max has trouble taking her into his social circle. She doesn’t fit in. Their differences start to get in the way. But does it really matter after you have fallen head over heels?

The movie is directed by Luis Mandoki, a director who is very apt at conveying emotions to the screen. I like many of his films, including Message in a Bottle with Kevin Costner and When a Man Loves a Woman with Andy Garcia. Mind you, he is pretty solid with thrillers too- having directed Trapped; starring Kevin Bacon, Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend.

If you have against romance movie in general, obviously this is not your movie. But then again, it is not just about the romance. It’s about how we perceieve love, loss, goals, family and relationships. The acting is of course just right. Plus, it is great when James Spader plays a nice guy. Remember his Wolf?

Other Susan Sarandon Movies:

Bernard and Doris: Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon

Arbitrage starring Richard Gere: Gere Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor