Romance

Romance films.  Its focus tends to be the passion, emotion, and intertwining involvement of the main characters and their journey.  A lot of people think that falling in love is like what they see in films.  Hollywood films make it seem adorable with its meet-cutes, and that love will conquer all.  And some films will show the grittiness and heartbreak that sometimes comes with love.  However, when it is told right, who can resist a love story?  Here are ten romance films that, in my humble opinion, should be seen at least once.

When Harry met Sally 1989

Two acquaintances over the years agree that a man and a woman can’t be friends without sexual consequences, therefore ruining the friendship.  Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star in this romantic comedy, written by Nora Ephron.  

Bridget Jones’s Diary 2001

Adapted from Helen Fielding’s best selling book (she also co-wrote the script), Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is a thirty-something singleton that finds herself in a triangle between a boring barrister, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and a more roguish Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). A light-hearted comedy, but has since become intertwined with the #metoo movement, due to the sexual harassment content.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s 1961

George Peppard’s Paul Varjak moves into a brownstone apartment building to meet Holly Golighty (Audrey Hepburn), a subtly referenced call-girl. This film has outdated attitudes, language and cultural depictions which may cause offence today. Adapted from Truman Capote’s novella.

Brokeback Mountain 2005

Ang Lee directed this story of forbidden love and the consequences of handling the situation.  A stellar performance from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhal as the ranch-hands that find each other within the stark beauty of nature.

The Princess Bride 1987

A young boy is home unwell and his grandfather reads him a story.  What unfolds is a story of a farm boy that falls in love with a young woman, and then he becomes a pirate.  Along the way, he encounters obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his love.

Moonstruck 1987

Loretta,  from Brooklyn, New York falls in love with her fiancé’s brother.  Cher and a young, gorgeous Nicolas Cage star in this romantic comedy.

10 Things I Hate About You 1999

A young high-school girl is not allowed to date until her spirited, older sister has a boyfriend. Cue Heath Ledger and his Hollywood debut. Adapted from William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”.

Wuthering Heights 1939

There are several films dated from this literary classic by Emily Brontë, however, I decided upon the version with Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff, and Merle Oberon as Cathy. A servant tells a traveller the tragic tale of young love, discrimination and revenge.

Lost in Translation 2003

Bill Murray plays a washed-up actor who is in Tokyo for a whisky commercial, and meets a young woman (Scarlett Johansson), who is practically abandoned, by her photographer husband. They form a bond before he leaves to return home.

Clueless 1995

Cher, a shallow, rich and popular high schooler is convinced that she is a natural matchmaker.  Throughout the film, she learns lessons that her ‘meddling’ isn’t always necessary and finds a love of her own.  Adapted from Jane Austen’s novel ‘Emma’.