The Top 10 Romance Movies of All Time
Let me start by saying that it would most likely be impossible to list the Top 100 Romance Movies of all time because there are simply too many outstanding films to choose from. However, I will give this truncated list my best shot. After questioning many people and either agreeing or disagreeing with their particular thoughts on this vast subject, I compiled my favorite heart wrenching movies. My criteria, was simple: I needed to be brought to tears by the film or at least have that tell tale lump in my throat. Also, if at some moment I experienced envy or even jealousy, I knew the movie was in the running. I needed to be able to feel the experience or relate to the relationship on display. It was also important to remember that not all romances have a happy ending. Such an ending is not always what makes an incredible romance. The best romance films find their success in the believability of the relationship, and what is exhibited on the screen, something that we can actually feel in our heart. So here are the Top 10 Romance Movies of All Time.
Honorable Mentions: Since ten films is not a completely fair assessment, here are a few romances that didn’t make the final list: Friends with Kids, Casablanca, Pretty Woman, Flipped, When Harry Met Sally, An Affair to Remember, Dances with Wolves, A Walk to Remember, Sleepless in Seattle, Thief of Hearts, and True Romance.
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10. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) is born with a gene that causes him to travel in time with no control over when or where he goes. He eventually meets and falls in love with Clare (Rachel McAdams). In this impossible romance they manage to marry and have a child. The connection between the two actors is intense and amazing. The difficulties this fantasy film faces presses one’s heartstrings, knowing what we know of love in realistic circumstances makes one wonder if we have what it takes to truly love like this in the real world. For romance enthusiasts, this is a must see.
9. Ghost (1990)
Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) are madly in love and share a connection that many couples only dream about. Shortly into the movie the unthinkable happens and Sam is killed. The devastation to both Molly and Sam is very powerful as you might imagine. The immense love Sam feels is so strong he is able to find a way to not only communicate with Molly but to save her as well. Don’t we all personally desire that the love we have for another could surpass the limits of this life?
8. Message in a Bottle (1999)
Theresa (Robin Wright Penn) finds a love letter in a bottle and goes about the business of finding its author. Garret (Kevin Costner) is a widower, who lost his beloved young wife tragically. As Garret and Theresa meet and a mutual attraction begins, Garret struggles to let go of the past without feeling that he is betraying his wife. What makes this film great is that it gives hope to those that have already experienced the “love of their lives.” Dare we even fathom the thought of loving again? Is it possible to continue honoring those we have lost if we allow ourselves to move on? You will experience a vast array of emotions with this story. Grab the tissues for sure.
7. The Way We Were (1973)
This romance, staring Barbra Streisand as Katie and Robert Redford as Hubbell is legendary. The two characters have extremely different personalities and interests yet there is that incredible chemistry between them that keeps you forever rooting for the relationship to work. Everyone should experience this film not only because it is truly a classic, but because it will take you through the rollercoaster of emotions one would experience when dealing with the reality of trying to make a relationship work when the participants are polar opposites. It’s true, opposites do attract, but in this instance, as in many, reality is not often that great. By the end of the film, you really felt that Katie and Hubbell might have made it against all odds. This is one of those films with the ending that nobody wants, but it is likely the most honest.
6. What Dreams May Come (1998)
In this fantasy-romance, you find Chris Neilson (Robin Williams) and his wife Annie (Annabella Sciorra) struggling with the loss of their two children. This devastation nearly destroys their marriage as both parents deal with their pain in their own unique way. Their love is incredibly deep and both are willing to endure life without each other to make it bearable for the other. This is a story of such complete unselfishness it is almost hard to fathom. When the unthinkable happens and Chris is killed and is in a heaven he could never have imagined, he is left with the heartache of leaving his beloved wife Annie all alone. As he learns that she has just committed suicide and will spend eternity in hell, he decides to enter Hades on the slim chance he will be able to save her and consequently may very well risk his own eternity as well. For me this is a love story straight out of the deepest part of imagination. Do we not speak of the love that would go to hell and back for us? Do any of us have this love, or is it only just something that we say? Would we actually be willing to make the trip?
5. The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
This is an account of the four day affair of Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep). After her death, her children find her journals that detail the great romance of her life. This one-time love however is not with her husband but with a traveling photographer, Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood). She met him many years before when she was alone on her farm. This brief four day affair is the one dreams are made of. There is but one word that comes to mind when describing this story – bittersweet. So Francesca is in a nice marriage, not great, but certainly not horrible. As fate would have it she meets someone that makes her feel alive again. As we all know that affairs are wrong, we do however come to empathize with this woman. It gives us insight into how seemingly a selfish act can be considered almost life sustaining. This story makes you question just what the right choice in this matter really is. Should she choose to stay with the one she has committed herself to, or does she leave with the one she loves more than life itself? What she does will not only break your heart, but will make you question how you wish to live out the rest of your own life.
4. Gone with the Wind (1939)
This is where those of us with knowledge of this timeless classic might think, this is not worthy of being on a best of romance films list. But, I beg to differ. It is a great love story, as well as one that we all could learn a thing or two from. It is very realistic in the sense that many of us have loved someone that does not love us. Many of us have also fallen in love with someone that has always loved us, but just a little too late. This is what you will get with this little beauty. Lots of silly shenanigans, an appreciation for just how advanced this film was for its time, and a love for the very spoiled Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh). You will also be able to fully relate to exactly just what, “Frankly my dear, I just don’t give a damn.” means.
3. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
This film is on this list because of two fantastic lines. The first historical line is when Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) is at the end of his rope having failed at life and joined the navy as his last chance at making something of himself and almost blowing it by his criminal activity. He is being put through the ringers as punishment for his latest offense, when being beaten down by his sergeant, forced to do push-up after push-up in the mud in a down-pour while he is demeaned and screamed at over and over “why don’t you just quit!” He finally yells back, “I got nowhere else to go!” A second favorite line is when Zack, all dressed up in his military whites, realizes that he does love Paula (Debra Winger) and that he is going to save her from her horrible life working in the town factory. He confidently marches in to the factory capturing every eye and strides right up to his gal and whisks her into his arms, and carries her away as her friend yells out, “Way to go Paula, way to go!”
2. Titanic (1997)
The romance of Jack and Rose is loved by most. Why? Because it’s more than a movie about a ship sinking, it’s about a woman trapped to live a life she does not want. It’s a film about overcoming in an era where a woman living a life of her very own was not heard of. It’s about a man making her realize that she can do whatever she wants despite everything and everyone else. Their brief affair was one that puts everything into perspective. What may on the surface seem important is truly not the key to one’s happiness. To always do as we’re told, to place priority on appearances rather than on what is real is what we can ultimately take from this story. How they brought the relationship from beginning to end will move you. Not to mention the love that is exhibited during such a horrific atrocity. This is something many of us hope never to experience, but can certainly appreciate when it is done so well.
1. The Notebook (2004)
For me, including this film is a no-brainer. Some might disagree, but every woman wants to be married to Ryan Gosling/James Garner as Noah. As a romance, Nicholas Spark’s storyline is pure brilliance! From beginning to end you will be moved, you will be touched, you will laugh, and most assuredly you will cry. The chemistry between Gosling and Rachel McAdams is undeniable. You can feel their passion and life-loving spirit. Noah falls immediately for the well to do Allie, and their relationship is both passionate in both the good and bad sense of the word. The difference between the two inevitably leads to a separation, which devastates them both. Years go by and others enter their lives but none can compare to what they shared together. I hesitate to describe more, because this story is something to be experienced not so much expounded upon. If you’re a romantic, and you have the slightest curiosity as to what the majority of women are looking for…watch The Notebook!
Betsy Cizek
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