Romance Tips from I Love You, Phillip Morris and 4 Other A-List Gay Film Couples

Generations have learned how to flirt, how to seduce, and how to fall in love based on what we see on the big screen. And while gay people had to take coded cues from the heterosexual cinematic adventures of Cary Grant and Rock Hudson, there's no reason that straight folks can't learn a thing or two from movie gays. So with this week's DVD release of the hilarious I Love You, Phillip Morris (Lionsgate), here's some love advice that audiences of all stripes can take away from queer couples played by hetero movie stars:

Movie: I Love You, Phillip Morris

Advice: Don't be afraid to have conversations about financial issues.

Jim Carrey stars as a con artist with a spectacular gift for amassing great amounts of wealth in a short time -- until the police show up, of course. His on-screen lover Ewan McGregor has no idea that their lavish lifestyle is about to come crumbling down until it's too late, so take a tip from him: Schedule periodic chats with your partner about bills and investments, and don't be afraid to ask where the money came from for your lavish new house and matching sportscars.

Movie: Staircase

Advice: Give each other compliments at least once a day.

This mindwarpingly unpleasant 1969 movie stars Richard Burton and Rex Harrison as the most miserable couple, straight or gay, on earth. They spend their days harping at one another, complaining about their circumstances and blaming each other for their desperate and tragic lot in life. These two saddos would be in much better shape if they could just come up with one nice thing to say to each other every so often. As it is, they make George and Martha from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? look like Nick and Nora Charles.

Movie: Brokeback Mountain

Advice: Don't be afraid to cross state lines to keep a relationship alive.

Unlike certain nay-sayers, i totally understand why Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) didn't have it within them to leave their lives and wives behind and run off to Greenwich Village or San Francisco. But you have to admit, they might have had a happier ending if they had. So if you're in a long-distance relationship and there's nothing standing between you and happiness but geography, perhaps one of you should consider packing up the U-Haul.

Movie: Velvet Goldmine

Advice: Make sure he's as into you as you're into him.

In Todd Haynes's paean to glam-rock, Christian Bale stars as Arthur, a journalist investigating the disappearance of rocker Brian Slade (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers). Along the way, we find out that Arthur had a steamy one-night stand with flamboyant musician Curt Wild (McGregor), and while Curt barely remembers what was one in an endless series of sexual encounters during the decadent 1970s, Arthur holds on to the memory of that night as a major romantic event of his life. Lesson: Never carry a torch for someone you shagged on a rooftop while they were high.

Movie: Philadelphia

Advice: Don't be afraid to show a little physical affection.

By all accounts, Andy (Tom Hanks) and Miguel (Antonio Banderas) have a great relationship -- they're kind to each other, Miguel is Andy's fierce advocate throughout a lengthy and difficult health crisis, and they throw great parties. But you know what would make their lives even better? If they would, oh, kiss occasionally or feel unburdened enough to express physical affection for each other in front of their friends and family. The moral here is don't be gay in a movie in 1994. The moral for 2011 is screw 'em if they can't deal.