“Toe pick!”  If you read that with a little ‘sing-song’ voice, then you know exactly which movie includes one of my most favorite movie quotes…The Cutting Edge.  In true Winter Olympic spirit, I decided that this romantic comedy about a newly coupled figure skating pair gunning for the gold would be perfect for this time of year.  Not only does The Cutting Edge fit right into our current Olympic game excitement, but it is also one of mine and my sister’s all time favorite movies!

The Cutting Edge (1992) starring Moira Kelly as Kate Moseley and D.B. Sweeney as Doug Dorsey, is not only a cute romantic comedy, but it also incorporates ice hockey and figure skating athletics.  Kate is a spoiled yet very talented pairs figure skater who is skating alone due to her ridiculously high standards that she sets for her partner.  Doug is an ex ice-hockey star who is no longer pro material secondary to an eye injury he suffered at the 1988 Olympic games.  With the 1992 Olympic games approaching, Kate’s coach Anton Pamchenko (played by Roy Dotrice) makes a last ditch effort in recruiting Doug to be Kate’s partner.  At first, the new pair couldn’t be more repulsed by each other.  Then, realizing they are each others last option for ever winning a gold medal, Kate and Doug begin to fuel each other, both competitively and romantically.  The pair seems to disagree on everything, from costumes and music to drinking and celebration styles. However, with a common goal in mind, Kate and Doug fight, each other and the world, all the way to the 1992 Olympic games in Albertville, France.  In their last effort to win the gold, Kate and Doug lay it all down on the ice.  The pair and the USA can only hope that their blood, sweat, and tears of pain and love will be enough for glory.

Of course this movie is a true chick flick, with love and passion and pain, which is part of reason I love it.  But, it also has this exciting sports action theme that engages you, too.  It’s the Olympics!!  Who doesn’t love and support the USA?  In the end, all you want to do is stand up and scream and root for the USA to triumph over all!  Then, I find myself cheering to the TV in an empty living room, but it’s the action story that got me there.  I truly find myself so excited for Kate and Doug.  I watch them try so hard and give up so much for one goal, that by the end, I really want them to win.  I want the USA to win.  The patriotic music and the colorful rings on the flying Olympic flags and the sportsmanship of the skaters all reel you into the journey that these athletes take and the sacrifices that they make.  The Cutting Edge is a romantic comedy at heart, but it is obviously also an inspiring sports story too.

This movie also has some of my favorite quotes in it.  For example, I keep repeating “Toe Pick” for days after seeing the movie!   “Aw Doug!  Douglas, you silly thing” also is hit if you have a friend named Doug (which I did in college, and he got quite sick of that reference).

Lastly, I do love some of the music in this movie…so much so that I have “Ride on Time” on my IPOD for my workout sessions!  The theme song, “Feels Like Forever” performed by Joe Cocker, also makes my list of favorites (and my IPOD).

The Cutting Edge is by far one of my favorite movies of all time!  My sister and I must have watched it every month in 1990’s!  It’s a five-star movie I will never get sick of and will continue to pull out of my collection when I’m in the mood for an inspiring love story.  It’s full of passion, both romantic and ambition driven, and witty remarks that make you feel, smile, and laugh.  And…this movie is a great choice to put you “in the mood to kick a little ass” in this patriotic Olympic season!