You had me at hello: My top 15 romantic movies
It's not the season for love or any romantic notions but for some odd reason I'm in the mood for romance. I love a good hearty romance, a romance that can only really be captured on screen. Where only beautiful people with dim lights and sweet music can really show what romance should be. I'm a sucker for romance which is odd because I don't consider myself an overly romantic person in real life. When friends are being mushy I pretend that I have just vomited a little in my mouth but despite all those shenanigans I must be a real romantic at heart. But don't tell anyone or I will kill you!
Romance is hard to do. I mean you have to push two stranger granted they are actors but still construct chemistry and real longing. Sometimes it's dead obvious that it’s forced while other times it’s so natural you think they might actually getting on off set (and sometimes they are). A good romance is based completely on how the characters work and how much it is believable that these two are meant to be together - true chemistry or a connection. It can be a simple story or even an over done premise but if you have the right characters even something silly can work. But a great romance is highly depended on the delivery - the execution because something that seems to work on paper can easily go astray on screen. For me I always felt that TV shows are really good at constructing romances most likely because they have the time to build a romance in something that could be remotely similar to real life. But of course you don't have that time in film so you take what you have and fast track it. Usually alluding that lot of time have been spent between the two main characters or there is an instant attraction. But great romances can stay in people's minds for years. Thus this is my list of great romances. I want to emphasize that it's MY list thus there will be some who will disagree.
15) The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is a story of two young lovers and their epic love that spans over time and across lands but ultimately leads them together. For some odd reason I have never been a huge fan of the film. But so many people have said how much they love this movie. Don't get me wrong I really did enjoy this movie but I would not call it my favourite but it does deserve its place here. And the beautiful leads Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) work really well together.
14) City of Angels (1998)
A tragic love story between a human and an angel stars Meg Ryan as Maggie and Nicolas Cage as Seth. I'm not sure why I had put this on the list as most people may not even remember it but it was made famous by its song Iris by the Goo-Goo Dolls. Probably one of the most romantic songs that I know. Although it didn't really get amazing reviews from critics I believe this movie was a genuinely sweet sometimes forgotten but still a gem.
13) Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005)
A still motion picture about a corpse bride who falls in love with a human man. But unfortunately for her he is in love with someone else. It may seem a strange choice to have a kid's movie in a list of romances but I really thought this movie captured unrequited love perfectly despite her being a corpse bride. Again another underrated but a terrific film. Stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
12) Never Been Kissed (1999)
A romantic comedy featuring the Queen of rom-coms Drew Barry as Josie and Michael Vartan as the teacher that Josie falls in love with, Josie is a young and budding writer wanting to prove to her boss that she is ready to write a feature article. To do so she goes back to high school to do a piece on teens. In the meantime she falls for the teacher and the teacher falls for her (yeah I know a little creepy). This is a top notch teen movie and most will dismiss it because it is a teen movie but don't let that cloud your judgment it's got the goods for entertaining and making you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.
11) Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is a collage of romance, love and heartbreak all rolled into one. Again another slightly underrated movie about love and everything that goes with it. And about love in all shapes and sizes. It's romantic because it works in a modern context it shows that anyone can fall in love and how love can just happen and as well how love can bring you so much pain. For a movie that has so many characters it worked really well and how they intertwined worked really well too.
10) 50 First Dates (2004)
*Sigh* another rom-com with Drew Barrymore (she actually appears a lot on this list) but this time it’s with Adam Sandler. These two are so wonderful together I don't know what it is, they are so sweet and so convincing that they are a real couple. I'm not a huge Sandler fan but when he is with Barrymore they work their charm. This is a couple with true chemistry that is carried from movie to movie.
9) Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
A widower's son contacts a talk show host complaining about his father being lonely it touches everyone who is listening but especially Annie. This movie was released when I was only 3 years old but since it is a regular on Australian television I have seen it so many times and yet it never bores me. A classic romance in many peoples eyes Sleepless in Seattle is sweet and refreshing and strange if you really think about. One of the most romantic movies of all time actually doesn't have the main characters meet until the very end. Despite them never meeting there is a serious connection between and it seems crazy but for some reason it works! Just in case you didn’t already know it stars a young Tom Hanks and pre-surgery Meg Ryan.
8) Ever After (1998)
Ever heard the story of Cinderella? No? Have you living under a rock? Most likely if you have never heard of Cinderella. Well Ever After is a new take on the classic and sometimes the over done story of Cinderella. But this is one of the few that is actually really amazing to watch. Again with my favourite romantic movie regular Drew Barrymore plays the role of Danielle and Dougray Scott is the very charming Prince Henry. Needless to say Danielle is poor orphan left with her evil stepmother and step sisters and falls deeply in love with a prince.
7) Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Another offering from the king of weird Tim Burton but I love his films so no surprises that his films will feature here. A strange tale of love between a teenage girl and an outcast, Edward Scissorhands shows that love can blossom in the oddest of places. Edward (Johnny Depp) is quiet and weird well naturally if you have scissors as hands but when he is taken into the home of a sympathetic family where he meets and falls for the teen daughter Kim (Winona Ryder).
6) Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
A regular in best romance movie lists Breakfast at Tiffany’s is actually a Hollywoodised thus a washed down story of a writer who pays for the bills by being a male escort and a woman who parties all night to escape from her past. An odd set of characters in this film but it has been idolised for its classical notions of romance, staring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Peppard as Paul Verjak. Despite it being a little too glossy Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a classic for a reason - the relationship between Holly and Paul is actually more complicated than just two people in love. It’s not one of those films when the two leads immediately fall for each other but a slow development but worth the wait in the eventual realisation about how much they actually love each other.
5) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
The 90’s seem to be a decade for awesome rom-coms and one of its best offerings is 1998’s My Best Friend’s Wedding. Julia Roberts plays Jules a 28 year old food critic who just found out that her best friend is getting married to a young and way too bubbly Kimmy (Cameron Diaz) realising that her chances of being with Michael (Dermot Mulrony) said best friend she does everything in her power to try to break them up. The ultimate story of unrequited love but in a neatly package of comedy goodness My Best Friend’s Wedding is the genre finest offering. I have yet to see any rom-coms as good as this lately. It’s funny, has a story, likable characters and doesn’t end in a mushy/cheesy way.
4) 500 Days of Summer (2009)
Like I said I hadn’t seen any rom-com as good as My Best Friend’s Wedding until I watched 500 Days of Summer. The unconventional rom-com is hopefully the new style of rom-coms that the film industry is taking. Yes the classics like My Best Friend’s Wedding is a favourite amongst many but times are changing thus the 90’s style of rom-coms need to change with it. The rom-com needed a revamp any way with the tiresome shit that is usually produced I was actually going to dramatically abandon the entire genre. 500 Days of Summer is not a story about love but a story about relationships which may include love. For more information or a full review and my declaration of my affection for the film you can read about it in my earlier post via this link Movie review post
3) Notting Hill (1999)
Notting Hill was released on 1999 was hugely successful which is no surprise considering it had rom-com regulars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Notting Hill is many people’s fantasies played out; meet a famous actress/actor and fall in love with them. In reality we’re lucky if we might get a autograph and photo with said famous person but for William (Grant) an average bookstore owner who crosses paths with world famous Anna Scott its not simply a brief encounter. Notting Hill is funny and warm and Grant and Roberts work really well together. But I remember being completely charmed by Grant. I guess for me it was much more relatable to Grant’s character than Roberts which is understandable as I have never been a famous actress. Completely idealistic and unrealistic to have a famous person falling for a no body but I guess it’s just giving hope to all of us. Fingers crossed I get to meet Shia LaBeouf.
2) Roman Holiday (1953)
A list about romances couldn’t be complete without the mention of the classics (some might note the absence of Casablanca - another story)! What better way than to celebrate the classics by glorifying Roman Holiday. I adore this movie thus it is placed in the 2nd position for a reason. Although just narrowly missing out on the top spot Roman Holiday is what romances should be about beautiful, intense, deep and passionate affair between two people. It may be brief but unforgettable. Roman Holiday stars Audrey Hepburn as Princess Anne and Gregory Peck as Joe the reporter; two very different people who come together for different reasons and spends a night together in the streets of Rome discovering love without even looking for it. How romantic is that?!
1) Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Lastly we come to my number one pick of romances - Moulin Rouge! A penniless writer migrates to the mean streets of Paris for adventure and inspiration. When in Paris he is placed into the world of the Moulin Rouge; it’s bohemian, glamorous, fun and slightly dirty. Enchanted by this world he goes to one of its performance nights where he falls deeply in love like many before him with Satine (Nicole Kidman) the star of The Moulin Rouge. Although Satine has been trained to lure the love of many men especially wealthy men but for once Satine finds herself falling for the writer Christian (Ewan McGregor). Unfortunately for all Christian being penniless makes it difficult for them to be together as she is bestowed to a Duke. Moulin Rouge is as romantic as it is tragic but yet it is incredibly entertaining with its dark humour and satire of modern songs. It’s colourful and rich viewing experience and despite it being a musical it is not cheesy or mushy in any way. I could rant and rave about the brilliance of this film but the only thing really you should do is go and watch it. For those who have seen it watch it again.
Here’s a link to the trailer - Moulin Rouge trailer
Side note: I know the title is from Jerry Maguire but yeah I don't have it on the list. I like it but not enough to be in my top 15.
Please comment if you believe that I have missed some great romance or any criticism is welcomed
Samira =D
Young Love; Noah & Allie
15) The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is a story of two young lovers and their epic love that spans over time and across lands but ultimately leads them together. For some odd reason I have never been a huge fan of the film. But so many people have said how much they love this movie. Don't get me wrong I really did enjoy this movie but I would not call it my favourite but it does deserve its place here. And the beautiful leads Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) work really well together.
An angel & a human, could it work?
14) City of Angels (1998)
A tragic love story between a human and an angel stars Meg Ryan as Maggie and Nicolas Cage as Seth. I'm not sure why I had put this on the list as most people may not even remember it but it was made famous by its song Iris by the Goo-Goo Dolls. Probably one of the most romantic songs that I know. Although it didn't really get amazing reviews from critics I believe this movie was a genuinely sweet sometimes forgotten but still a gem.
13) Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005)
A still motion picture about a corpse bride who falls in love with a human man. But unfortunately for her he is in love with someone else. It may seem a strange choice to have a kid's movie in a list of romances but I really thought this movie captured unrequited love perfectly despite her being a corpse bride. Again another underrated but a terrific film. Stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
To sir with love; Josie & Mr. Coulson
12) Never Been Kissed (1999)
A romantic comedy featuring the Queen of rom-coms Drew Barry as Josie and Michael Vartan as the teacher that Josie falls in love with, Josie is a young and budding writer wanting to prove to her boss that she is ready to write a feature article. To do so she goes back to high school to do a piece on teens. In the meantime she falls for the teacher and the teacher falls for her (yeah I know a little creepy). This is a top notch teen movie and most will dismiss it because it is a teen movie but don't let that cloud your judgment it's got the goods for entertaining and making you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.
To me you're perfect
11) Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is a collage of romance, love and heartbreak all rolled into one. Again another slightly underrated movie about love and everything that goes with it. And about love in all shapes and sizes. It's romantic because it works in a modern context it shows that anyone can fall in love and how love can just happen and as well how love can bring you so much pain. For a movie that has so many characters it worked really well and how they intertwined worked really well too.
Aloha!
10) 50 First Dates (2004)
*Sigh* another rom-com with Drew Barrymore (she actually appears a lot on this list) but this time it’s with Adam Sandler. These two are so wonderful together I don't know what it is, they are so sweet and so convincing that they are a real couple. I'm not a huge Sandler fan but when he is with Barrymore they work their charm. This is a couple with true chemistry that is carried from movie to movie.
Isn't that a chick flick?
9) Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
A widower's son contacts a talk show host complaining about his father being lonely it touches everyone who is listening but especially Annie. This movie was released when I was only 3 years old but since it is a regular on Australian television I have seen it so many times and yet it never bores me. A classic romance in many peoples eyes Sleepless in Seattle is sweet and refreshing and strange if you really think about. One of the most romantic movies of all time actually doesn't have the main characters meet until the very end. Despite them never meeting there is a serious connection between and it seems crazy but for some reason it works! Just in case you didn’t already know it stars a young Tom Hanks and pre-surgery Meg Ryan.
Danielle and her prince Henry
8) Ever After (1998)
Ever heard the story of Cinderella? No? Have you living under a rock? Most likely if you have never heard of Cinderella. Well Ever After is a new take on the classic and sometimes the over done story of Cinderella. But this is one of the few that is actually really amazing to watch. Again with my favourite romantic movie regular Drew Barrymore plays the role of Danielle and Dougray Scott is the very charming Prince Henry. Needless to say Danielle is poor orphan left with her evil stepmother and step sisters and falls deeply in love with a prince.
Edward and Kim
7) Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Another offering from the king of weird Tim Burton but I love his films so no surprises that his films will feature here. A strange tale of love between a teenage girl and an outcast, Edward Scissorhands shows that love can blossom in the oddest of places. Edward (Johnny Depp) is quiet and weird well naturally if you have scissors as hands but when he is taken into the home of a sympathetic family where he meets and falls for the teen daughter Kim (Winona Ryder).
Cat? Cat? CAT?
6) Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
A regular in best romance movie lists Breakfast at Tiffany’s is actually a Hollywoodised thus a washed down story of a writer who pays for the bills by being a male escort and a woman who parties all night to escape from her past. An odd set of characters in this film but it has been idolised for its classical notions of romance, staring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Peppard as Paul Verjak. Despite it being a little too glossy Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a classic for a reason - the relationship between Holly and Paul is actually more complicated than just two people in love. It’s not one of those films when the two leads immediately fall for each other but a slow development but worth the wait in the eventual realisation about how much they actually love each other.
The ultimate story of unrequited love
5) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
The 90’s seem to be a decade for awesome rom-coms and one of its best offerings is 1998’s My Best Friend’s Wedding. Julia Roberts plays Jules a 28 year old food critic who just found out that her best friend is getting married to a young and way too bubbly Kimmy (Cameron Diaz) realising that her chances of being with Michael (Dermot Mulrony) said best friend she does everything in her power to try to break them up. The ultimate story of unrequited love but in a neatly package of comedy goodness My Best Friend’s Wedding is the genre finest offering. I have yet to see any rom-coms as good as this lately. It’s funny, has a story, likable characters and doesn’t end in a mushy/cheesy way.
Simply adorable
4) 500 Days of Summer (2009)
Like I said I hadn’t seen any rom-com as good as My Best Friend’s Wedding until I watched 500 Days of Summer. The unconventional rom-com is hopefully the new style of rom-coms that the film industry is taking. Yes the classics like My Best Friend’s Wedding is a favourite amongst many but times are changing thus the 90’s style of rom-coms need to change with it. The rom-com needed a revamp any way with the tiresome shit that is usually produced I was actually going to dramatically abandon the entire genre. 500 Days of Summer is not a story about love but a story about relationships which may include love. For more information or a full review and my declaration of my affection for the film you can read about it in my earlier post via this link Movie review post
If they can make it work there is hope for us
3) Notting Hill (1999)
Notting Hill was released on 1999 was hugely successful which is no surprise considering it had rom-com regulars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Notting Hill is many people’s fantasies played out; meet a famous actress/actor and fall in love with them. In reality we’re lucky if we might get a autograph and photo with said famous person but for William (Grant) an average bookstore owner who crosses paths with world famous Anna Scott its not simply a brief encounter. Notting Hill is funny and warm and Grant and Roberts work really well together. But I remember being completely charmed by Grant. I guess for me it was much more relatable to Grant’s character than Roberts which is understandable as I have never been a famous actress. Completely idealistic and unrealistic to have a famous person falling for a no body but I guess it’s just giving hope to all of us. Fingers crossed I get to meet Shia LaBeouf.
An affair that is brief but unforgettable
2) Roman Holiday (1953)
A list about romances couldn’t be complete without the mention of the classics (some might note the absence of Casablanca - another story)! What better way than to celebrate the classics by glorifying Roman Holiday. I adore this movie thus it is placed in the 2nd position for a reason. Although just narrowly missing out on the top spot Roman Holiday is what romances should be about beautiful, intense, deep and passionate affair between two people. It may be brief but unforgettable. Roman Holiday stars Audrey Hepburn as Princess Anne and Gregory Peck as Joe the reporter; two very different people who come together for different reasons and spends a night together in the streets of Rome discovering love without even looking for it. How romantic is that?!
Come what may!
1) Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Lastly we come to my number one pick of romances - Moulin Rouge! A penniless writer migrates to the mean streets of Paris for adventure and inspiration. When in Paris he is placed into the world of the Moulin Rouge; it’s bohemian, glamorous, fun and slightly dirty. Enchanted by this world he goes to one of its performance nights where he falls deeply in love like many before him with Satine (Nicole Kidman) the star of The Moulin Rouge. Although Satine has been trained to lure the love of many men especially wealthy men but for once Satine finds herself falling for the writer Christian (Ewan McGregor). Unfortunately for all Christian being penniless makes it difficult for them to be together as she is bestowed to a Duke. Moulin Rouge is as romantic as it is tragic but yet it is incredibly entertaining with its dark humour and satire of modern songs. It’s colourful and rich viewing experience and despite it being a musical it is not cheesy or mushy in any way. I could rant and rave about the brilliance of this film but the only thing really you should do is go and watch it. For those who have seen it watch it again.
Here’s a link to the trailer - Moulin Rouge trailer
Side note: I know the title is from Jerry Maguire but yeah I don't have it on the list. I like it but not enough to be in my top 15.
Please comment if you believe that I have missed some great romance or any criticism is welcomed
Samira =D
