Though their content is often fictional, the messages and themes embedded in truly excellent movies have always offered insight to timeless lessons of human, or more importantly, man nature. And in the arenas of love and sex, the following 10 films offer men the ticket to freedom and peace of mind.
The movie: Fight Club
Defining quote: "I'm wondering if another woman is really the thing we need."
The lesson: Get your life together, first. Get in touch with your purpose, your core masculine self, before trying to drag the girl into a clouded reality.
The movie: American Beauty
Defining quote: "Then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold onto it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life."
The lesson: Your life is passing you by, taking with it all the romance that could have enriched it. Get passionate about waking up in the morning, and this passion will become magnetic, contagious and ubiquitous in all of your relationships.
The movie: The Tao of Steve
Defining quote: "We pursue that which retreats from us."
The lesson: Be desire-less, be excellent and be gone. These are the basic principles for walking through the world of women with ease.
The movie: Unfaithful
Defining quote: "Be happy for this moment, this moment is your life."
The lesson: The sexual relationship ends when you cease to appreciate her as a sexual being. If you're her provider, without also being her lover, the relationship will go stale, and then sour. And when she finally leaves (because she has to), you'll blame everyone but yourself.
The movie: Hitch
Defining quote: "Basic principles… there are none."
The lesson: Don't just be yourself; be your best self. Get your act together and clean up bad habits, but then just express your personality freely and confidently, letting the chips fall where they may.
The movie: 9½ Weeks
Defining quote: "The only thing that keeps me going is this chick."
The lesson: She has a dark side that you must be aware of and in touch with before anything else. Some girls have a small shadow, others an eclipse. It can serve as raw energy for a passionate relationship, or a demon that haunts you as you sleep.
The movie: Don Juan DeMarco
Defining quote: "No woman has ever left my arms unsatisfied."
The lesson: You can play the romantic hero. Don't be afraid to spice reality with fantasy. Romance is what will keep your relationship young, fresh and alive.
The movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Defining quote: "Look at it out here, it's all falling apart. I'm erasing you and I'm happy!"
The lesson: Appreciate each moment with her as though it was your first and last. Let go of the damages that build up over time, and dust off the mediocrity of your settled routine. If you want to keep your love alive, you must remember why you fell in love.
The movie: Roger Dodger
Defining quote: "Sex is everywhere."
The lesson: Don't lose faith in women. Never let the idiosyncrasies of sex or the dysfunctions of modern courtship disillusion you to the fundamental goodness and kindness of the female spirit.
The movie: Swingers
Defining quote: "You're so money, and you don't even know it!"
The lesson: Life is too short for broken hearts. Breakups will come, and when they do, you must focus on getting on with your life rather than getting her back. Let her go, build a life better than ever before, and watch as your ex and a few dozen other girls come knocking on your door.
The magic of the movies is not limited to the tearjerkers and heartwarmers. In fact, for the modern man, this magic is hidden in the characters and woven through the plots of guy flicks like these.