A Cynic's Guide to Romantic Films

I am not one for romance, nor do I particularly care for Valentine's Day. But despite my cynicism towards romance in general, I will confess that I do have a soft spot for a good romantic film. Valentine's Day is of course tomorrow, and I'm sure you're all digging out your Notebook DVDs to watch with your other half on V Day while you cry into each others arms and stuff your faces with heart shaped chocolates. (Please do not do this.) Always eager to make people stop watching The Notebook, here are my suggestions for films that are romantic enough to watch either with your other half or alone whilst downing a bottle of wine on this approaching Friday - and films that have managed to warm even my own cynical heart.

Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight

I wasn't planning on making this list ordered so it's funny that the Before trilogy ended up at the spot, because they are undeniably (in my humble opinion at least) the most - and equally least - romantic films ever made. For those not in the know - Celine and Jesse meet on a train headed for Vienna in 1995. They get talking and end up getting off the train together, spending a night walking around Vienna, getting to know each other, and falling in love. Nine years go by, and they have yet another chance encounter in Paris. Another nine years, and they holiday in Greece. What's wonderful about these films is that while we're only seeing three days of it over 18 years, we immediately get a sense of the couple's relationship. We fall in love with them at the same time as they fall in love with each other. Oh god, I'm having a little pretend cry just thinking about these films. They are the perfect mixture of cute, heartbreaking, funny and serious. Plus, Ethan Hawke is oddly tolerable throughout. 

It's Complicated

Reasons 1 through 10 of why I like this film so much are MERYL STREEP. But suspend disbelief, because this film is actually so much better than it looks. Streep plays a divorced bakery owner who begins an affair with her ex-husband, all the while stringing along her hapless landscape gardener, played by Steve Martin. Cheesy prospect, I admit, but the main reason why this film is on this list is because it's FUN! There's a scene where Meryl Streep and Steve Martin get high together. There's dancing. There are parts that are so cliched you can see them coming from a mile away, but in a nice way! There is a punchline that involves Alec Balwin skyping naked because, obviously. And, despite being a film about adultery, It's Complicated is surprisingly sweet and gentle. 

Lost in Translation

Let me just get this out of the way - I am one of the few people in the world that does not see a romantic connection between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's characters in Lost in Translation. I do believe that the two fall in love with each other, but in the most platonic "two lost souls trying to find a connection in this crazy city" kinda way. But if I did see the spark between them, then I'd probably find Lost in Translation one of the most romantic films ever made. All Sofia Coppola films - ignoring perhaps The Bling Ring - have a touch of love about them. From the dreamy visuals of Virgin Suicides to the absolutely touching ice skating scene in Somewhere, and of course, the ending of LIT. Similarly to Before Sunrise, Coppola creates these two troubled characters, and then simply allows us to watch their relationship slowly unfold over a few short days, only to have them part. As I mentioned, the mystery shrouded whispering scene is absolutely wonderful, something that for true believers unlike myself can only cement Lost in Translation's romantic side.

Moonrise Kingdom

Who knew Bill Murray made so many romantic films, am I right? Romance usually serves as a side plot in Wes Anderson films so it's refreshing to see it take centre stage in this joyous sepia-toned Badlands influenced 60s romp. Sam and Suzy's relationship is one of my favourites on the list because it is simultaneously awkward, adorable and innocent - he makes her cry within a day of them being together, they dance on an abandoned beach to Francoise Hardy, and they send each other adorable letters. Plus, they end up getting married by a short shorts-wearing Jason Schwartzman - pretty much a dream relationship in my book.

When Harry Met Sally

It may be a cliche to include When Harry Met Sally on this list as it is THE Rom-Com but there's a clear reason for this inclusion - it's just really really great. It's an obvious homage to Annie Hall, (which fails to appear on this list for numerous obvious reasons) and in return it has gone on to influence hundreds of other films, like an infinite circle of Rom-Coms. It's funny because the scenes that are now iconic scenes - the diner scene featured above and the Pecan Pie scene which chooses to haunt my mind at odd moments - aren't romantic in the least. It's due to Nora Ephron's wonderful, simple script that the pair's change from friends into more is believable.

Blue Valentine

If this film doesn't simultaneously warm and break your heart, then you must be some kind of robot. Out of all of the films on the list, Blue Valentine is undoubtedly the saddest, because while the others show couples falling in love, this one shows them falling apart. And then, for an added kicker, it shows them falling in love as well. Gosling and Williams performances in this film are absolutely amazing, and in fact it still blows my mind that they didn't both win awards for this film. (Ryan Gosling wasn't even nominated for an Oscar for this?) Another nice touch is that the "young" half of the film is filmed on 35mm, while the "old" half is filmed on digital, making watching the couple fall in love all the more beautiful and offering a wonderfully stark contrast. There are just SO many things I could say about this film but when it comes down to it there is really one thing that makes this film so romantic and special - the moment when Gosling whips out a ukulele and sings while Williams dances along.

Trust

Trust is described as an "asexual romance", which is a pretty accurate description of it. The film's couple, played by Hal Hartley regulars Adrienne Shelley and Martin Donovan aren't even a couple. They never have sex, or say I love you. It's this innocence that makes them so endearing and compelling to watch. It's a typical Hartley story (and if you've never seen any of his films, I definitely recommend that you start here) of outsiders in a small town, struggling to get by and asking a lot of existential questions. Shelley's Maria flees home after accidentally giving her dad a heart attack when she reveals that she's pregnant. She meets up with Donovan's nihilistic IT man, and it's all go from here - or not. Typical of indie films, not much exactly happens, but you find yourself so drawn into the characters and their anti-romance that by the end of it you'll wish you could carry on glimpsing into their weird little world.

Harold and Maude

Ah, speaking of weird... potentially the weirdest romance of them all. So a teenage boy obsessed who spends his time crashing other people's funerals and finding ways to "fake" his own death meets a 79 year old woman who is the complete opposite of him - loud, extroverted, opinionated. And then, to a soundtrack of Cat Stevens songs, they fall in love. And it's really really really sweet? What makes the film so sweet - and initially horrifying - is that it's no afraid to show weirdos in love. Maude is old, and not in a "hot older woman" Mrs Robinson kind of way. Their relationship, like this film is short and sweet, and quite frankly, mainly due to its subject matter, Harold and Maude is one of a kind.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

Here's where I go all film student on you and throw a silent film into the mix JUST BECAUSE I CAN. But in all seriousness, Sunrise is a really beautiful film about losing and rediscovering love in your marriage. The Man is enchanted by the seductive Woman from the City who encourages him to drown his innocent wife and run away with her. (Um yeah so the Virgin and Whore stereotypes in this film kinda such but let's just ignore that for now...) But when he attempts to go through with it, he realises that he loves his wife, and they reconcile and a spend a day in the city falling in love with both it and each other. It's a simple story, but bear in mind that it was made about a million years ago, and it was considering fairly complex. It's worth noting that the film is called "A Song of Two Humans" and the film's soundtrack is like a third main character here, perfectly complimenting this wonderful little film.

Hitch

I was gonna apologise for Hitch being on this list but then I remembered that it's actually amazing and now I regret NOTHING. It may be a little cheesy, and it may even be a little sleezy, but it's a modern-ish (It came out nearly ten years ago?! God I feel old.) Rom-Com that doesn't suck, plus it's a Hollywood film with two non-white main characters so yay for that! Also it has a really good soundtrack! The film's main romance, that of Will Smith and Eva Mendes is the one that comes closest to cheese, but the film's other budding coupleship of Kevin James and Amber Valletta is very charming. Also yet another film with a really good song and dance number in it - the wedding scene at the end is pure gold.

Punch Drunk Love

This Paul Thomas Anderson directed, Adam Sandler starring Rom-Com is potentially one of the oddest films I've seen, purely for how it pushes both the director and the star out of their comfort zones and yet still manages to make a perfect, funny and sincere little film. The film's plot is Coen Brothers-esque - a lonely man who has seven sisters and works for a company that sells novelty toilet plungers has to battle being blackmailed by a phone sex line as he simultaneously falls madly in love, oh and decides to learn to play a harmonium he discovers after a freak accident outside his work. NONE of this should work and yet on screen it does perfectly. The romance between Sandler's character and his beau played by Emily Watson is so unexpectedly touching - in particular the above scene where the couple unite in Hawaii. On paper, this film sounds like nonsense, but when you watch, you too with inevitably become drawn in.


Submarine

I'm not a pyromanic (dreadful way to begin a sentence) but Oliver and Jordanna's firework and flare based date looks like an absolute dream to me. Like 90% of this film seems made for teenagers to post on their Tumblrs, but despite this it does have real heart and soul. There are so many memorable scenes that make up Oliver and Jordanna's relationship - as my friend listed frantically to me via a Facebook conversation when I desperately asked her WHY Submarine was a good Romantic Film - the moment as pictured above when Oliver tries and fails to seduce Jordanna, a brief moment when they sit in a bathtub, the cassette that Oliver's dad makes for him, and of course the ending. It may be unconventional and it may at times be twee for the sake of it, but it's an oddly timeless romantic film for the modern age.

Grace Barber-Plentie

Top 5 Romantic Movies

I am besotted with romance in films, not only because I am a seasoned spinster fifty years before my time, but because ROMANCE IS SO LOVELY. Cheddar brimming as they are, romance films must feature two really flossy (floss = high level sass and sophistication) leads, a healthy amount of PASSION and occasionally a few tragic events. The classic happy ending makes my life, but is not necessary for the majority of anguish filled films this list applauds. I am by no means repelled by mountains of froth, but I do thrive for the clichéd classics we all know n cherish and for them alone.

5. Pretty Woman (1990)

Julia Roberts & Richard Gere

You've undoubtedly been trapped in Edward's grossly expensive hotel suite for the past twenty three years if you haven't yet seen Pretty Woman.

It's a classic for umpteen reasons, but mine is definitely the FABULOUS Julia Roberts as Vivian, an L.A. prostitute who in true romcom form, just happens to be picked up by a millionaire.

Although I personally have never been all that into Richard Gere, you can't help but like him for whisking Vivian into an entirely unrealistic world of strutting down streets to Roy Orbison, designer suits and meals with bigwigs. That in consideration, I would still rather he refrained from trying to uproot my tonsils on a grand piano.

Vivian actually likes him though and obviously he's keen on her, so he gains 8/10 for floss as far as I'm concerned. And for tackling that terrifying fire escape.

Best Scene: Vivian's iconic waltz and the outwitting of the bitchy shop assistants.

4. Ghost (1990)

Patrick Swayze & Demi Moore
Another iconic TREASURE. Molly and Sam are hideously happy together until bastard Willy Lopez (Rick Aviles) murders Sam on the botched orders of Sam's best friend. A horrifying betrayal, in all other words. Oda-Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) is the fortune teller Sam stumbles across as he attempts to contact Molly. Molly is in danger. Oda-Mae puts it differently ("Molly, you in danger girl.") but I'm not even going to try and attempt to explain how magnificent she is. She is the gem of the film. All I suggest is you watch the clip of her ultimate floss (definitely 10/10) below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAb2_-uv41Y
The ending of Ghost is absolutely traumatising. Sam ascending to Heaven with all the angels as Molly sobs with sad joy because it is THE LAST TIME SHE WILL EVER SEE HIM BECAUSE HE'S DEAD. Ugh. Agony.
Best Scene: Pottery. The Righteous Brothers. Unchained Melody. No more words necessary.

3. P.S. I Love You (2007)

Gerard Butler & Hilary Swank

First things first: the soundtrack. Best thing ever to frolic to.
Aside from that, there's Holly and Gerry, another New York couple MADLY IN LOVE. Until it comes to light that Gerry has died from a brain tumour right after the opening credits. The film is essentially Holly learning to 'live again' through Gerry's monthly letters, sent to help her move on.
I find this film absolutely tragic (which probably is tragic in itself) because it is just so SAD, imagine being on the brink of thirty and your soul mate going and DYING on you??!??!?!!?
Traumatic. Absolutely. I can't express my adoration for it enough, not only because it makes me want to flee to Ireland and swan around to Steve Earle, but because Holly's misery is so RAW and alongside that she has to deal with her husband's death whilst everyone else is moving on and doing new things..
It hurts my soul. It fatally wounds it. Unfortunately a lot of very misguided people think this film is awful (looking at you, Rotten Tomatoes) but I take it they are just not Gerard Butler fans.
Best scene: Holly & Gerry meeting again in a pub to Galway Girl. Weeping at the thought.

2. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Patrick Swayze & Jennifer Grey
Another Swayze extravaganza. Also another film I shouldn't have to elaborate on, because every person alive ever should watch this and marvel at:
a) Patrick Swayze.
b) THE DANCING (I can't dance, which is probably why I am so impressed by it in this masterpiece)
c) The soundtrack. Who doesn't yearn to roar down the highway to Eric Carmen yowling that his eyes are hungry???
d) Patrick Swayze.
e) THE LIFT. And also how at the end, Baby's mum says sternly, "Sit down, Jake" so Jake can't go and murder Baby's fun.
f) NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER.
Best scene: Baby and Johnny having the times of their lives, of COURSE.

1. Titanic (1997)
Kate Winslet & Leonardo Di Caprio

WHAT A FILM. Too many times my best friend and I have reenacted the ever memorable death scene. Jack? Jack? Wake up, Jack. Jack, wake up. JACK, WAKE UP. Why doesn't he? It has been said time and time again that he could have fit most comfortably on that bloody door, but did he? N O. There really is no need to summarise Titanic, as it is so beautiful and traumatic that not only did I cry the first forty thousand times I watched it, I sobbed dramatically in the cinema last April, and proceeded to live in a bubble of Celine Dion for the following (six) month(s).
It's also obvious that Leo's face is one carved by angels, and that one day many years into our marriage, an alternate version will be released, with myself playing Rose and Leo playing Jack once more. A Jack who lived.
Best scene: "I'm flying! Jack!"

Mollie Kerslake

Top 10 Best Movie Dates

So it's Valentine's Day tomorrow, a celebration where cynics like myself either have to keep their mouths shut while people gush over their presents and plans, or rehearse an angry monologue to spout every time someone dares wish them a "Happy Valentine's Day!" Personally, I've chosen the first option this year, and instead, due to my love of list-making, compiled a list of the best, romantic, and cutest movie dates of all time. They'll make you laugh, make you cry, or make you moan to your boyfriend that Pizza Hut simply isn't good enough this year.

(May contain plot spoilers)

10. Midnight in Paris

Sure, Woody Allen only shows us the very beginning of Gil and Gabrielle's date, but what could be a better start to a date than walking through Paris in the rain? Nothing, that's what.

9. Gregory's Girl

Poor old Gregory - all he wanted was to go on a date with the only girl in the school's football team, but instead he ends up marched around town, being passed from girl to girl, and forced to buy them chips. However, it all turns out to be part of a master plan laid out by Susan, who's always had a crush on Gregory. He may not have ended up with the girl he thought, but at least they had a good time.

8.  It's a Wonderful Life

Singing, dancing, talk of the moon - what more could one want for a first day? Stewart and Reed's chemistry in this scene is ridiculous, which keeps it romantic rather than soppy.

7. 10 Things I Hate About You

I think I can sum this one up in one sentence. Paintball with Heath Ledger. Yep, I knew I could.

6. Lady and the Tramp

Possibly the most classic movie date of them all! I really dread to think how many people will be doing this with their partners tomorrow. Nevertheless, it stands the test of time, as this scene is still kinda adorable.

5. Goodfellas

Guilty confession time - despite having a copy on video, and having it recorded on my telly, I STILL haven't got around to watching Goodfellas. But despite that, I'm well aware of this scene (My Mum has described it to me so many times that it must be ingrained into my memory.) and how cool it is. I really hope people still try and impress their dates by sneaking them through restaurants, because realistically, that would probably work on me. Also, Heineken did a really cool advert homaging this scene.

4. (500) Days of Summer

Back before I knew about stock characters like the Nice Guy and Manic Pixie Dream Girl, 500 Days of Summer used to be my favourite film. To my defense, I was going through a serious "just joined Tumblr and learnt who The Smiths are and started watching indie movies" phase, (haven't we all been through them?) but I swear to god, I could quote whole chunks of this film. While that may not be my proudest moment, I do still have a fondness for this scene in particular, purely because, well, it's absolutely adorable. And it's not every day that there's a Chinese family in your bathroom.

3. Before Sunrise

This film is basically just one long date, which makes it kinda hard to choose just one scene from it. Scary 90's Ethan Hawke persuades cool 90's Julie Delphy to abandon her plans and spend the night with him in Vienna, which she does (?!) and they basically just spend the whole night wandering around and talking. That. Is. Literally. It. Despite the ridiculous plot, it does kinda work, mainly because you actually give a damn about the characters, and really want them to end up together. Also, apparently people really like this film because it has spawned two sequels - Before Sunrise and the soon-to-be-released Before Midnight.

2. Pulp Fiction

I'm still in two minds about whether this counts as a "date" seeing as nothing romantic actually happens between Vincent and Mia, but this is one of my favourite scenes from one of my favourite films by one of my favourite directors so let's just let it slide shall we? Again, this scene is a case of good screen chemistry, - Daniel Day-Lewis was allegedly going to play Vincent which I CANNOT imagine - oh and let's not forget the infamous dance scene. If this diner exists, I am saving all my pennies and going.


1. Blue Valentine

Ah, the bitter irony that the top clip on my list isn't even on youtube. Oh well, I think anyone who's seen Blue Valentine will know that it's simultaneously one of the most bitter and romantic films about love ever made. The latter can definitely be applied to Dean and Cindy's first date. (I studied this section of the film in Film Studies last year so forgive me if I get analytical...) They chat on a bus, get ice cream, talk about themselves... they find the date going so well that, in order to impress each other, they start acting more and more shy and childish. Cindy shows Dean her "talent" - being able to sing the names of all of the Presidents - and Dean retaliates by playing ukulele. Just like the rest of the film it feels fresh and uncliched but also adorable, one of those filmic moments that you'll keep coming back to if you need a pick-me-up.

Grace Barber-Plentie