Forget Mr. Darcy—Why Carl Fredricksen from 'Up' is the Real Dream Man.

Hollywood heartthrobs are faker than Ai and in reality will pop their clogs before their forty at the rate they're going. However, men who take you seriously, never dim your sparkle, or shut down your crazy dreams are the true fantasies we should romanticize!

These days, it seems that every woman has a romantic fantasy involving some fictional character who is either brooding in uniform, smouldering on horseback, or spewing irresistible one-liners. Whether it's the Duke of Bridgerton with his perfect jawline, the poetic love vows of Mr. Darcy, or the rustic appeal of Yellowstone's Rip Wheeler, the standard for romance is somewhere between charming and completely absurd.

Don’t even get me started on the newer heartthrobs like Miles Teller’s Top Gun character, 'Bradley Bradshaw' (insert eyeroll), or that Hugo Boss model posing in kilts, masquerading around as a 1700s Highlander in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

I agree, they're beautiful to look at. Yes, they have cheekbones that could cut glass. But can they really offer us what we need as we grow older and wiser? I don't think so. I mean, what's the odds of them surviving past 50 with a lifestyle like that!

You eventually come to realize that it's not about the dramatic declarations of love, or the sultry eye contact. What matters most is having a reliable companion who will stick by your side no matter what. So, that’s why, at this point in my life, the ultimate dream man is none other than... Carl Fredricksen from Up.

Yes, the grumpy old man with the tennis-ball walker. Hear me out.

When it comes to love stories, Carl's is the ultimate benchmark. Carl's completely committed to Ellie the moment he laid eyes on her. Their love story wasn’t built on grand, dramatic gestures but on small, meaningful moments, shared dreams, whispered secrets, and a life built together brick by brick.

Carl, despite his surly attitude, has emotional depth that most romantic leads only scrape the surface of. He learns to open his heart again, embracing life with courage and vulnerability. Let’s be honest, it's 2025, so emotional intelligence and spiritual growth are far more attractive than any heroic stunt.

On top of that, Carl is resourceful and stable. He knows how to fix things and faces life’s challenges with a can-do attitude. A trait that’s far more valuable than any chiselled six-pack.

Plus, Carl’s dry, witty humour would make every day an adventure, filled with laughter and love. Who wouldn’t want to grow old with someone like that?

Carl never interrupted Ellie's dreams or stifled her energy. He helped her goals to blossom with constant support. Despite his family’s disapproval, he married her anyway, choosing to love over societal pressures or expectations.

Carl created a life with Ellie that always encouraged her dreams. He bought the abandoned house where they first met, and together they lovingly renovated it inside and out. He ensured that her plans of one day travelling remained their life's purpose.

Life wasn’t easy for them. Many obstacles, including infertility, could have broken a weaker man. They faced pain together, strengthening their friendship. Carl’s ability to navigate life’s crises without ever letting go of his love for Ellie proves his emotional resilience.

Even when their dreams of adventure seemed impossible, he kept hope alive. He saved for their journey to Paradise Falls, determined to give Ellie the adventure she’d always longed for. However, often is the case, finances were tight, because working at a zoo together doesn’t make you rich, but he loved spending every day with her!

They spent their entire lives scraping by when medical problems, house repairs, and other disasters emptied their pockets. Yet, Carl never gave up, got bored or thought of any other plan. Finally, he bought the tickets to surprise Ellie but with life’s cruel twist of fate she passed away that day.

Even after losing Ellie, Carl’s love for her never wavered. He kept her memory alive, along with her spirit by literally lifting the house they created together into the sky to fulfill a promise they had made to one another.

In my opinion, that is the epitome of romance. Unlike most romantic leads, who can be wishy-washy or unreliable, Carl shows us that true love is about showing up every day, even when it’s hard, even when you’re alone.

Who wouldn’t want a partner that dedicated? I mean, sure, Rip from Yellowstone might fight a bear for you, but would he float a house to Paradise Falls after you're gone just to fulfill an out-of-this-world promise you made when you were kids? Doubt it!