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Top 5 Romantic Pairings from Cillian Murphy's Films—Actual or Wishful Thinking

June 2007

• Madra Rua |
• Ima_Pseudonym |
• Claudia |
• Lilith |
• Kerry |
• Morrigan |
• The Automatik |
• Painter Lady |
• Mistress Kizuna |
• Wissky |
• Melty_Girl |
• JT

Madra Rua's List

• #5. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  An intense pairing that has survived "The Infected" and slightly off military men that has also inspired its own cult following for the couple. And why not? The relationship is built out of lust and intensity. I would have loved to see what happens to these two characters after the movie. The relationship might not last long, but at least it'll be hot.

• #4. Jackson/Lisa, Red Eye

  This pairing goes without much explaining. It's a pairing that has inspired hundreds of fanfics. Granted, Jackson acted like he couldn't care less about Lisa and her poor dad, but deep down inside, we all know Jackson wanted to steal Lisa for himself.

• #3. Kitten/Bertie, Breakfast on Pluto

  The brief relationship between Bertie (Stephen Rea) and Kitten in the film is such an innocent one. I was a bit saddened that Kitten ran off from Bertie, because he cared so much about Kitten, and now she's off in an unfamiliar city and unprotected. If only Kitten had stayed.

• #2. John/Deirdre, Intermission

  Deirdre (Kelly MacDonald) and John seem like a match made for each other. Though John made his mistakes (and usually a series of them), Deirdre forgives him and welcomes him back. They are the epitome of a "cute couple." How can I resist?

• #1. Sinead/Damien, The Wind That Shakes the Barley

  We never got to see the relationship of Sinead and Damien grow much in the film, but only because it's not the centre of the film. I wish Ken Loach did dive deeper into the relationship because it's real and full of integrity. What you do see is that Damien and Sinead have a great amount of respect and love for each other that extend beyond the screen. If only every relationship was like that!

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Ima_Pseudonym's List

• #5. Viktor/Josef Zalenski, Telepathy

  I only have a vague outline of the plot ... but two Cillian Murphys? Yeah. That's going to be a fantastic pairing. Identical twins ... estranged, and then forced back together. According to IMDb: "forced into intimate and prolonged contact after years of estrangement, the twins become mentally and emotionally closer." And then they're torn apart (in fact, one is sent into space). O.o So it has the angst aspect as well. PLUS (not that it needs any more than "two Cillian Murphys") there's the whole telepathy aspect—a whole new meaning to "mind fuck" (pardon my Russian).

• #4. Kitten/Father Liam, Breakfast on Pluto

  I know what you're all thinking ... and you'd be right. But the evidence (leastways, enough for a slasher) is right there in the movie. I had thought to myself, isn't there any man in the movie who can treat Kitten right? (Bertie came close, but for that whole sordid "there's your mother" thing.) And then ... Father Liam. The man who owed Kitten something more than anyone else. The one person who, I think, could love her. Even if it's the ultimate of sins. The one person who would love her even when he believes it could cost him his soul. Father Liam has lived and learned from his mistakes. I don't think he'll be repeating them again, soon. And movie!Kitten, I believe, will accept love from anyone. But somehow, it's sweeter from him ... Do I hear banjos?

• #3. Jim/Major West, 28 Days Later...

  I really love the whole captive situation. This pairing is almost entirely based in the realm of AU. In fact, I've never read a story with this pairing that wasn't based off of an alternate ending of the author's design. Even Danny Boyle admitted in the commentary that there was something homoerotic going on between Henry and Jim. There are VERY few stories of a slashy persuasion when it comes to 28 Days Later..., and I haven't yet been able to fathom why. But the few there are, I've enjoyed immensely (most likely because they're all horrifically angsty), which is why it's my #3 Cillian Murphy movie pairing.

• #2. Capa/Mace, Sunshine

  The reason I like this pairing is because of all the (you guessed it) angst. The "hate" between them. Mace's irrational anger and disdain for Capa, and the fact that Capa won't just stand by and take it. (Figuratively speaking, of course.) At the same time, Mace realizes the importance of Capa. Personally, I'm inclined (unsurprisingly) to think that Mace's actions towards Icarus II's youngest crew member is nothing but a crush handled in an adolescent way. A boy picking on another because he likes him and doesn't know how to admit it (or rather, is deeply tangled in a web of fast-unraveling denial). Several years together in a small ship, with only six other people for company ... yeah, I'd say there's potential there.

• #1. Wayne/Crane, Batman Begins

  My secret OTP (don't tell PotC's Sparrington). I suppose the whole thing was initially just "pretty bad guy + tough good guy = sexiness." And then there's all the twisted aspects of it. Betrayal, distrust, fights ... and did somebody say angst? Crane is insane, but still (sometimes) in control of his actions, and he's fighting inner demons, while Bruce is a very solid real threat to him. They're both intelligent and capable of defending themselves (but Bruce generally wins, unless Jonathan catches him off guard). Then there are the stories: There's violence, mind fuckery, snark (LOVE the snark), surprise!sex (non-con), wonderful cross-overs with Breakfast on Pluto, crack!fic with evil goldfish or mislabeled chemicals with interesting results. It's all about LiveJournal's wayne_crane community.* They're completely to thank (blame?) for my obsession with my secret OTP.

  (*Warning: Many of the stories at wayne_crane feature NC-17-rated sex scenes and/or other adult content.)

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Claudia's List

• #5. Capa/Cassie, Sunshine

  Allright, I don't wanna spoil it for those who have not seen the movie. As most of you may know by now, Cassie definitely seems more into Capa than he's into her, but given the fact that Capa tends to keep to himself, he might not be as expressive as one would like him to. However, of all the crew of the Icarus II, Cassie is the one who really reaches out to Capa and at times, she actually gets to him, if only briefly. I would have loved to see more happening between them—you can tell they've got a connection.

• #4. John/Deirdre, Intermission

  One would think that John was pretty much hopeless ... guy could not just get it right for his own sake. The whole movie you see him struggle with his emotions, his love for Deirdre, and the regrets he's got. Then he decides to act on impulse when all it really took for him was to express what he had really wanted for a very long time. The result: one of the most romantic proposals ever. It was such a big step for him, and Deirdre tenderly acknowledges that by cupping his cheek and asking, "Was it that hard?" Ever the prude, John won't kiss her then, because they had an audience. Cutie!

• #3. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  Here are two people who meet in the least perfect circumstances, to say the least. First Selena saves Jim from the infected and from the terrifying solitude that he had to face after waking up from his coma. Ultimately, he will save her, both from the soldiers and from becoming inhuman. I mean, this woman had been through such pain that she had suppressed any warming emotion in order to survive and wouldn't hesitate to kill "in a heartbeat" those who might have been her friends. Of course, she gave Frank and Hannah some credit, but Jim gets her to fall in love to the point where she just couldn't kill him, even when she thought he was infected. "That was longer than a heartbeat" and the passionate kiss between them is definitely a Kodak moment.

• #2. Pig/Runt, Disco Pigs

  I couldn't help but feel for these two really intense characters, meant to be together from the very beginning of their existence. It feels like they are each other's shelter from the reality of a world in which they were just outsiders. All that makes sense to Pig is Runt, and he is so overwhelmed by desperation over the possibility of losing her that he isn't able to cope. It was a beautiful love—intense, desperate, and self-destructive, but love nonetheless.

• #1. Jackson/Lisa, Red Eye

  Whenever these two are on the screen, you can see the sparks fly between them. You can totally tell from the beginning that they are attracted to each other. Hell, even after all hell breaks loose, you can still feel the tension. And well... the lavatory scene ... need I say more? You can't help but wonder how things would have been for them if they'd met under different circumstances. Some, like me, may even want to try and imagine what would happen if they met again. No wonder jackxlisa fanfiction is the most popular among shippy fans.

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Lilith's List

• #5. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  I wasn't sold on this couple at first. They seemed joined by necessity, and their "bonding" moment in the field painfully awkward and poorly scripted. But then come the soldiers, and Selena and Jim face something a lot scarier than the infected. (Of course, that's also when Jim starts spending his evenings with Major West, and I have all kinds of kinky thoughts about what goes on there...) But it's the climax that sells me on Jim and Selena. I've never understood why she suspects he's been infected—he doesn't kill like one at all!!—but nonetheless, when he flashes that cocky grin at her hesitation, and then they kiss, rationality flies out the window and passion just carries me away.

• #4. Capa/Mace, Sunshine

  Honestly, Cassie left me cold, and her incessant unrequited stalking of Capa got old fast. By contrast, when Mace walked into the room, the air sizzled. One of the great tragedies of Sunshine is that we didn't get to see how their animosity developed. But what we get—long meaningful stares, jumping each other at every opportunity, understanding each other without having to speak, and all the boytouching a girl could ever want—makes up for a world of flaws.

• #3. John/Deirdre, Intermission

  John is glum, unambitious, drifting ... if it wasn't for his bright checked shirt and that piercing blue stare, you'd almost think his scenes were filmed in black and white (or at least shades of beige). But then he thinks of Deirdre. Whether storming through her house or finding her bra or even sniffing some strange woman's cologne to try to get over her, it's in these few moments that colours wash over John and he comes vibrantly alive. And the lengths he goes to just to get her back ... that's true love! I also think Kelly Macdonald's the finest actress Cillian's ever played opposite, and I cheered when he promised to have her children!

• #2. Kitten/Billy, Breakfast on Pluto

  Kitten draped herself over Billy like a bright pink boa. The physicality of this role was so touching, and I mean that literally. Kitten was always petting Billy, wrapping herself around him, or caressing him with those big blues. And I've still got a bone to pick with Neil Jordan for not showing us more of that. But what he failed to show on camera was more than made up for by the electricity projected between Cillian and Gavin Friday. I'm a little in love with Billy too, and the extreme risks he took for Kitten. The cost was high, but for a little while she gave him the life he couldn't have. Like all things we wish for, the reality turns out to not be as glamourous as the fantasy. Still, it was nice while it lasted.

• #1. Jonathan/Toby, On the Edge

  They start out as partners in crime bolting from the asylum, end up bonding in a stolen car (in what I still think is one of Cillian's finest performances—oh, the intensity he conveys just listening!), and before long Jonathan is putting his life on the line for Toby at the bowling alley. And then there's the bittersweet scene at the party, where drunk they lean in ever so close to each other ... and then the moment's gone and they rejoin the others. Whenever I watch this movie, I feel sorry for Tricia Vessey (well, as sorry as I can feel for someone who makes out with Cillian); she had the script on her side, but when it comes to genuine chemistry I've rarely seen two actors, male or female, with as much going for them as Cillian and Jonathan Jackson.

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Kerry's List

• #5. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  Throughout the film I wondered whether their attraction to each other was 100% genuine or whether the end-of-the-world type situation created a bond they both needed to keep them going. The fact that Jim came back when he could have tried to escape and survive on his own proved that I was wrong though. The passion they both show when he returns, as well as her hesitation to kill him, makes the film seem that bit more human.

• #4. Kitten/Billy, Breakfast on Pluto

  It's rare to find a film that shows any kind of non-sexual love. Not once do we see any passionate kiss or sex scene yet the depth of the relationship is shown to perfection. Kitten just wants to be loved and feel wanted, and Billy dotes on her entirely. I always imagine Pluto (especially Billy and Kitten's scenes) done on stage, in the background the IRA bombings going on and in a separate little corner Kitten's life playing out for the audience. Their goodbye is the most vulnerable I've seen Cillian look on film and the words "it was nice while it lasted" are heartbreaking.

• #3. Jonathan/Rachel, On the Edge

  It's quite difficult to explain why this relationship is sad yet undeniably comforting at the same time. Both of them seem to need each other for different reasons. Cillian seems a lot less passionate in this role than others; perhaps because Jonathan doesn't need to prove anything to Rachel, he just needs to give her time. The final scene is one of the cutest scenes I've seen Cillian do. A simple hug without any words as the end of a film in this case works better than anything else.

• #2. Jackson/Lisa, Red Eye

  I think every single Cillian fan loves Jackson, and I think it's safe to say we all wanted Lisa and Jackson to kiss in that bathroom scene. The chemistry between those two was incredible. What adds to the appeal of this pairing is the fact that we're never really sure if they're attracted to each other despite the situation. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking!

• #1. Pig/Runt, Disco Pigs

  I adore Elaine Cassidy in this role and Cillian is to die for as Darren/"Pig". In the scene where he sees Runt in the skirt she made, I guarantee any Cillian fan will fall heads over heels for him all over again. The relationship between Pig and Runt is so tragically beautiful that it breaks my heart each time I watch Disco Pigs, especially the final scene between them.

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Morrigan's List

• #5. Capa/Mace/Cassie, Sunshine

  As with previous mentions of Sunshine, I won't go into detail here so as not to spoil anything for those who haven't seen it—but when you do, you'll see what I mean! I'm a fan of non-traditional relationships, and if there were such a thing as "perfect circumstances" for a triangle to have a chance to work, surely being stuck on a spaceship on the way to the sun would be it?

• #4. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  As pretty much the last (decent) man alive, Selena almost doesn't have any choice but to be with Jim, and I'm sure she was loathing every minute of it (ha!). Whilst there has to be something seriously worrying about a world in which the most romantic thing a man can do for his partner is gouge someone's eyes out, Jim's strength is finally brought to the surface in defence of the woman he loves. Awww.

• #3. Kitten/Charlie, Breakfast on Pluto

  When Kitten comes back and finds Charlie so depressed she can't move, I was really touched by her protective gesture as she curls around Charlie on the bed and tells her to concentrate on the baby. Kitten's feelings towards her friend may be more sisterly than anything else, but I did pick up a slight hint of stronger feelings from Charlie towards Patrick, at least. I think they make a lovely couple.

• #2. Jonathan/Toby, On the Edge

  Though Rachel is the romantic foil to both these two, I found myself more interested, the connection between the boys. Although there's not a hint of more than a platonic relationship between them, both of them have very powerful "brother" issues that they could really help each other with—and hey, if that developed into something more, who am I to argue?

• #1. Jackson/Lisa, Red Eye

  The on-screen chemistry between these two—despite (or perhaps because of) the fact that Jackson spends at least half the film trying to scare Lisa silly—has given rise to so much X-rated fanfic. I tried to read it all one day and ended up with a severe headache. So worth it, though. Jackson is definitely the sexiest of Murphy's characters, with his easy charm and "bad boy" background. I'm sure several of us have mentally re-written that toilet cubicle scene...

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The Automatik's List

• #5. Bruce Wayne/Dr. Jonathan Crane, Batman Begins

  Slashing two mysterious and powerful male characters is almost too easy, but Dr. Crane's obsession with the Dark Knight is undeniable. Perhaps Crane is envious of how Batman has managed to make villainy cool; perhaps he just likes his muscles. But look at how much they have in common: subversion of the legal system, a penchant for dark clothing, and of course, devastating cheekbones. And let's not forget that they both wear masks to hide their true selves. (The personals ads practically write themselves.)

• #4. Paul Montague/Mrs. Hurtle, The Way We Live Now

  Clearly we're supposed to be rooting for Paul and Hetta Carbury, but one can understand why he's torn between two lovers. Mrs. Hurtle represents feminine sexuality unbridled by societal mores. She knows what she wants and her determination is unstoppable: characteristics apparent in Paul as he fights for the construction of the railroad. Is he afraid if he gives in to Mrs. Hurtle that he'll become as ruthless as the roguish Roger Carbury or worse, the dreaded Melmotte? In a time when even American women were shackled by their gender, this highly charged relationship is intriguing and believable.

• #3. Damien/Sinead, The Wind That Shakes the Barley

  In the first part of the film, Sinead is the picture of feminine fortitude, right there with the other men fighting the good fight. Yet after she's assaulted and scalped, she and Damien meet in a barn for a tender and romantic tryst. Is this so that her weaknesses—being physically and emotionally vulnerable—won't show? Or is it because she fears a public romance might jeopardize their cause? Whatever the reason, their passion for each other is palpable.

• #2. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  Selena is introduced to us as a shell-shocked, street savvy character who views Jim as weak, emotionally fragile, and a liability to their attempts to escape the "infected." When she is victimized by a different kind of predator, Jim rises to the challenge of being as vicious and cold-blooded as Selena thinks she is, and this role reversal provokes one of the most disturbing and erotic encounters in recent films. Their bloody kiss is all the more affecting because not only does it prove that Jim is not infected, it proves that it's his emotional attachment to Selena that enables him to kill in the first place.

• #1. Kitten/Bertie, Breakfast on Pluto

  The greatest unrealized kiss since the Hays Code was still in effect. Although Billy Hatchet and Kitten's swoony snuggling is powerfully sexy, Bertie seems to offer the love that Billy can't (or won't). One could argue that Bertie's manipulations of Kitten aren't rooted in the best of intentions, but let's not forget that Billy was manipulating her, too. Bertie seems to understand Kitten (and her need for love) in a way that few others have. That's what makes the proximity of their trembling lips on the pier so romantic (and a damned frustrating case of coitus interruptus to boot).

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Painter_Lady's List

• #5. Kitten/Charlie, Breakfast on Pluto

  While Kitten and Charlie are not "romantic", it seems to be a place where Kitten can rest for a while, where she can love and be loved, and it saves the whole story, which is beyond sad, sometimes hard to watch, and just beautiful.

• #4. John/Deirdre, Intermission

  John and Deirdre.... the last scene is worth the whole movie... when he finally learns to ask for what he wants. Priceless.

• #3. Damien/Sinead, The Wind That Shakes the Barley

  Damien and Sinead are more mature and sane, less complicated psychologically, but in a horrible set of circumstances that ruin their lives. This was my first introduction to Cillian. I never "saw" him before in Cold Mountain or Batman Begins. I read the review of Barley in The New York Times, traveled 80 miles to see it in Sarasota (it never played in Tampa, Florida!!!!). I couldn't believe how wonderful the movie was and I was completely turned on to Cillian Murphy (and Ken Loach) after that. I think this movie is as close to perfect as they get. It has to be both Cillian Murphy and Ken Loach's best work yet.

• #2. Jonathan/Rachel, On the Edge

  A complicated pair, Jonathan and Rachel were both twisted characters, but Jonathan's being able to care deeply about Rachel saved both of them.

• #1. Gus/Eileen, How Harry Became a Tree

  Gus and Eileen are my favorite couple because of the purity of their characters. I can watch that movie over and over. It's honest. And the relationship worked. He became a man when she made him leave his father, and he stopped and pulled her to him and kissed her. She saved him. I loved it.

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Mistress Kizuna's List

• #5. Capa/Cassie, Sunshine

  I still haven't seen this (yet), but Danny Boyle's fanaticism over this, as well as the fact that Cassie always seemed to be very smitten with Capa, to me definitely makes me want some fanfiction between them.

• #4. Damien/Sinead, The Wind That Shakes the Barley

  A simple friendship turned romance is often cliched, but Loach's technique of natural progression and ways of filmaking made this more real than many romances out there in movies. And who didn't cry along with Sinead at the end?

• #3. John/Deirdre, Intermission

  "I want to have your babies." If that's not enough, what about John desperately trying through most of the movie to get her back, all the while, she comes back to him and takes him back, and life goes back to normal, if not better?

• #2. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  In any other horror flick, there would've been a sex scene between them, but with Danny, they instead had a couple kisses and a very good bond that developed with a natural speed and, as clichéd as this sounds, they helped each other grow. And who wouldn't want a guy who wouldn't hesitate to brutally kill your rapist?

• #1. Jackson/Lisa, Red Eye

  Their dynamics, the incredibly thick sexual tension, and the mutual, grudging respect they have for each other is just so interesting and endlessly amusing. And let's be honest here—the bathroom scene and the way he stroked her scar was hot, and the way he said, "It was beyond your control," really sounded like he was genuinely concerned for her. And I, and many more, would love to see further development between the characters in a possible sequel, but I think we have a better chance of Wes Craven making another Scream sequel than Red Eye 2 any time soon. But one can always dream, right?

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Wissky's List

• #5. Jackson/Lisa, Red Eye

  I have to confess, I'm embarrassed to admit this. Unfortunately (not that this makes me uncommon) I think the evil guy is usually the sexy guy, and thankfully this is limited to film, not real life. And when it comes to Lisa (Rachel McAdams) what can I say? I want her to want him. It doesn't make sense; he's threatened her father's life, he's a killer, blah blah blah. But I want her to wreak some change in him, make him abandon his whole life of crime so they can run out of that airport, chased by other bad guys, and he can display some of his sexy bad guy skills as they get away, then consummate their doomed passion. Yeah, I know. It doesn't work at all.

• #4. Wayne/Crane, Batman Begins

  This issue has been explored some, and rightfully so; there's a lot of promise there. Wayne's got that streak of self-loathing, not to mention biceps. Crane's got those sultry lips and bedroom eyes, and the personality to take some serious advantage of a guy with "issues." Sex aside, this has potential for fascinating, deep character study about the nature of dominance and sacrifice in love, about whom we really are when stripped to the core ... but mostly it's about the sex.

• #3. Pig/Runt, Disco Pigs

  The wide-eyed love Pig has for Runt in this film still hurts to contemplate. I think we all love Darren for the way he loves Sinead so completely. There is nothing about her that is not perfect in his eyes, and the force of his desire is utterly palpable. Then, of course, we get to his essentially unstable nature and everything disintegrates from there, but the underlying tenderness of their relationship is haunting.

• #2. Jim/Selena, 28 Days Later...

  Jim is arguably the most desirable character Cillian has ever played (I know, many out there are vociferous and steadfast Kitten fans, but I'll stick by this). When it comes down to it, Jim cares. He cares about people, he cares about doing the right thing, and he cares about kicking ass when it's ass-kicking time—and he looks good doing it. Selena is tough, smart, and gorgeous, and their kiss lights fireworks in that mansion. But don't you want to see what happened in that bed they share, the idyllic farmhouse after Jim's bullet wound recovery? Fire, indeed.

• #1. Gareth O'Brien/Jay Hill, the film version of Dirty Epic*

  I don't care that it's not a movie. I don't care that it never will be. The question is what romantic pairing I wanted to see, and this is what I want to see more than anything else: Cillian Murphy as Gareth O'Brien and Norman Reedus as Jay Hill, the sexiest, most romantic couple ever to steam up New York City as they explore Brooklyn, marriage, their pasts, and of course, each other—what other movie needs to be made? Oh, yeah: the prequel, in which they meet and fall in love in New Zealand. I have imagined every shot for the clubbing scene in Dublin so many times; they should just put a jack in my brain to download it for everyone else. Let the coins start rolling in—I'd be more than happy to share with Dirty Epic's talented authors, Lilithilien and Dernhelm_3019.

  (*Dirty Epic is a long-running LiveJournal original fiction series. Warning: Many of the chapters feature NC-17-rated sex scenes and/or other adult content.)

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Melty_Girl's List

• #5. Paul Montague & Mrs. Hurtle in The Way We Live Now

  I might have been rooting for Paul to end up with Paloma Baeza's good girl Hetta, but I was loving every moment Cillian was onscreen with Miranda Otto as the cleverly-named Mrs. Hurtle. Their older woman/younger man with a tempestuous sexual past thing was very enticing. How I would have loved to have seen their romantic backstory and happier days! But it's fun just watching Paul squirm and fight with himself as Mrs. Hurtle fights for him. The moment when she leans down to stroke his face as he kneels at her feet while unlacing her boots says everything about their relationship.

• #4. Batman & Scarecrow in Batman Begins

  There just wasn't enough Dr. Jonathan Crane in Batman Begins, but there was enough to seriously whet my appetite for some superhero/supervillain slash. Batman (the fierce, beautiful Christian Bale) gets more physical with Scarecrow than he does with that silly Rachel Dawes, and Cillian's prettier than Katie Holmes anyway. I love their face-offs: "You need to lighten up," Scarecrow sneers sardonically as he lights Batman on fire. And Batman clutching The Scarecrow by the scruff, cruelly interrogating the adversary who moments before seemed breathless to meet him. These two really do have the basis for an explosive S/M relationship.

• #3. Pig & Runt in Disco Pigs

  This doomed, one-sided romance just kills me. The intensity of Pig's single-minded gaze is indelibly portrayed by Cillian. And his chemistry with Elaine Cassidy as Runt, as they run their dangerous games, is thrilling. Pig and Runt may not be meant to be together as a couple, but Runt does love Pig, so their lovemaking is tender and beautiful, even if it is kind of a mercy fuck before the dawn brings a terrible fate. The angst in this pairing is irresistible.

• #2. Kitten & Billy in Breakfast on Pluto

  Ah, the teasing sexual chemistry of Kitten and Billy (musician Gavin Friday)! Somehow they're all over each other, with Kitten purring and Billy falling in deep despite his fears, yet they don't make out—I still don't understand how that was possible! Only a deleted scene implies a morning after, with Kitten making breakfast for Billy in his dressing gown. I love how Billy is drawn to both the boy and the girl in Kitten (who he keeps calling Patrick, much to Kitten's chagrin), and I love Kitten in love. One can only imagine the dress-up naughtiness and role play these two characters could have gotten up to. I'm still waiting for someone to write Kitten/Billy fan fiction.

• #1. Jim & Selena in 28 Days Later...

  This was the most popular pairing overall, with writers voting them everything from #5 to #2, but somehow I'm the only one to rank these intrepid heroes at #1. Cillian and Naomie Harris's chemistry moved me to write my first ever fanfic, and putting that out into the universe brought me some amazing new friends, so how could this not be my favorite? I love how evenly matched Selena and Jim are in every way, both so tough and quick-witted, with those punky haircuts and wiry sex appeal. 28 Days Later... is no romance, but you feel their connection grow and those two desperate kissing scenes pack a punch. Selena teaches Jim how to survive and Jim teaches Selena that survival without love isn't worth it. They save each other. I love this warrior couple.

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JT's List

• #5. Damien/Sinead, The Wind That Shakes the Barley

  Their relationship was very subtle and sweet. We don't really get to see an all-out passion between Sinead and Damien in the movie, other than the scene in the barn, but we can definitely see that they provide strength for each other. I just loved the letter he writes to her at the end; it was very moving.

• #4. Jonathan/Rachel, On the Edge

  It was charming the way Jonathan flirts with Rachel, and he's also wearing too short pajamas—it was all too funny! Although I was feeling more for Toby than for Jonathan, Jonathan and Rachel definitely had an undeniable connection. And the forehead kiss and hug he gave her at the end—it totally made my heart melt!

• #3. John/Deirdre, Intermission

  John was just so head over heels in love with Deirdre! What girl wouldn't love a guy who would go that far out of his way to get you back? I loved his "I want to have your babies" speech. It was very awkward and sweet. John and Deirdre made a great couple. Kelly Macdonald is so cute!

• #2. William/Vera, The Edge of Love

  I know we have yet to see The Edge of Love, but I, for one, am very excited. I am a sucker for romantic dramas. All the passion, yelling, crying, jealousy, pain, angst, and makeup sex—I can see it all now. I can especially see it with William and Vera. Maybe not the makeup sex (depending if it’s going to rated R or not), but definitely all the pain and angst—which is what Cillian does best. Cillian’s going to be great as William, and from her role in Pride and Prejudice, I’m sure Keira's going to be incredible as well. They're going to be one hot and angsty couple!

• #1. Jackson/Lisa, Red Eye

  HOT, HOT, HOT. I am definitely a Jackson/Lisa shipper! Most people think I’m crazy, but I know I'm not alone in the world out there. Despite the situation they're in, you can definitely feel the underlying sexual tension between them—especially in the airplane bathroom. Their relationship is just so complex that it's hot. I loved all the little things too—like the how he asked her out in the check in line and how he "guessed" her favorite drink at the bar. Cillian and Rachel definitely have a great on-screen chemistry that shouldn’t go to waste. They should make a romantic drama together already!

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