Top 10 Romantic Movies
Never has a subject been
more emotive than when I ran a small survey to find out which were our favorite top 10 romantic movies of all time. First
of all there is the problem of defining what constitutes 'romantic'. Then there is the era and age of the movie. Then there
is the notion of what counts as a movie. In other words can a made-for-TV program count. Finally, after pulling my hair out
with the stress of it all, I whittled the answers down to a final ten. You may not agree, you may send me your own lists and
you may threaten me with violence but the point is, there is no definitive list. We all have our own top 10 romantic movies
based on what we have viewed over the years. And that is it. Here are our the results of our top 10 romantic moves survey
in no particular order.
Love Story (1970)
The music helps I have to say has an amazing impact once again on
recent viewing but that's not the whole story by far. One of the best and most popular and enduring love stories on celluloid
you can find. Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal star in a film that will have you reaching for the tissue box without doubt. Its
funny how often romance is linked with sadness but I am not getting into that here. We have everything that a tearjerker can
throw at you- rich boy, poor girl, opposing father, success, disaster, fatal illness etc. Superbly filmed and an emotional
rollercoaster. Fabulous and a must-see, just watch it on your own though of you are prone to tears.
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Titanic (1997)
Would you like someone to die for you, or want to die for someone?
In tragedy we often find the barest soul of romance and so it is with this movie. The romance is not so much in the characters
but in the fact that it is so intense and so brief and so unfairly taken away within a setting of huge drama. Self sacrifice
may be the romantic ideal being portrayed here but there are few us of who watched this without a tear. At 3 hours, we are
overtaken by every emotion and for days afterwards the movie leaves a haunting impact. But it is the drama of the two lovers
that affected the worlds audiences the most. Superb.
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Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
I cannot believe this is only ten years ago. To me it feels like a
film from folklore, certainly in terms of perfect romantic movies. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks may be too sweet a pairing for some
but in terms of romantic fantasy land this is about as close to heaven as one can get. Beautifully scripted and filmed and
pulling on our heart strings with required, it is the perfect vehicle for the starts of the show to illustrate why they are
both romantic stars. Meeting on top of the Empire State
building - well who wouldn't! There are some reviews on the web that try and analyze this movie as if it was Ben Hur, lets
not bother. Instead grab your pop corn and settle in with your sweetheart.
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Pretty Woman (1990)
When asked, it came back in almost every top 10 I was given. Maybe
it was the dream pairing of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, maybe it was the story of a girl finally made good. Maybe it was
simply about boy choosing girl just when you think he might not. Whatever aspect you wish to focus on, this is top class romantic
entertainment that over the years has not aged one bit. Critics should take note of the people's view as there were some unkind
reports on this movie. Clearly these guys have no heart. Rent and watch and remind yourself how on screen romance should look.
Yes it may be a re make of Pygmalion but quite frankly, who cares.
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City of Angels (1998)
My personal favorite and one that is hugely successful in terms of
presenting the answer to the complex romantic equation of romance, love and mortality. Meg Ryan again and based partly
on the classic earlier film Wim Wenders' movie, Wings of Desire, City of Angels is beautifully filmed and acted, Meg being
particularly on form. Nicholas Cage as the angel Seth finds himself at odds with the world by falling in love with Meg who
looks almost as angelic as Nick throughout. Ultimately Seth's fall from grace to be with the woman he loves tugs at the heart
but nothing on earth can prepare you for romantic dram of the final moments. From the opening heart breaking scene, to the
angels portrayed as beings of light , aloof in high places, this movie appeals on every level Glorious and gorgeous in every
way with a music score to match.
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Casablanca (1942)
This classic and adored timeless classic is really a romantic melodrama.
Often quoted ("here's lookin' at you, kid" and the always misquoted "play it again Sam"), it has lost none of its romantic
value in the last 61 years. Against a wartime backdrop we are presented as viewers with a classic love triangle where two
men vie of the affections of the same woman. Humphrey Bogart in splendid form as the exiled loner and the film its self attends
to the theme of lost love. The ending is a romantic classic. If it is Sunday evening and raining outside this is the one for
you (both).
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An Affair to Remember (1957)
One of my favorites, the essential romantic storyline is that Cary
Grant, an eligible bachelor is set to marry an heiress. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint he meets
Deborah Kerr whilst traveling alone on a luxury yacht and realizes he's engaged to the wrong woman. Just to complicate matters,
she is engaged to the wrong man. In the end they agree to spend six months apart and if they still love each other they will
reunite six months later at the top of the Empire State Building. Of course the threat of tragedy
strikes. Even today elements of this storyline find their way into modern romantic productions. I have to mention one of the
top cinematic romantic moments when Cary Grant walks into Deborah Kerr's room and sees the painting she had bought but which
he had painted. A great romantic treat.
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The Way we Were (1973)
I have always been a great fan of Robert Redford and it is easy today
for the younger generation to forget not only his but Barbara Streisand 's formidable talents. Here we have two young lovers
with differing political ideologies who come together, one the conservative , the other a radical. Its an odd thing but there
are aspects to the American cinema of the early 1970's that have never been emulated (see The Last Picture Show for example)
anywhere else and this embodies many sensitive romantic ideals that are rarely portrayed today. Miss Streisand won a deserved
Oscar for her portrayal of the woman in love and the music will make your spine tingle. Lovely.
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Doctor Zhivago (1965)
The year I was born was 1965 but Omar Sharif still looks better today
than I ever have. The music is mesmerizing, the, film work unbelievable and epic and the love story, simply stunning. Recently
re-released in special edition DVD format, this is one for a weekend in and perfect for lovers of romantic movies everywhere.
Julie Christie still look as gorgeous as ever and the perfect romantic heroine for this film. Set against the backdrop of
the Russian revolution, Sharif and Christie portray two lovers who are separated and brought together again by war and fate.
Once again it is a movie that combines romance and tragedy as the two appear to be intertwined but for a treat of cinematic
vistas and passion this is a must see.
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Brief Encounter (1946)
Celia and Johnson and Trevor Howard star in this romantic classic.
A housewife by chance meets a married Doctor at a railway station. What transpires is a cinematic masterpiece of inspired
passion and unrequited love between an English middle-class man and woman. Even the title has moved into general romantic
speak. If you haven't seen it then put it at the top of the pile because you cannot be classed as educated in the art of romance
until you have. My own note is that I was told it was filmed at Carnforth railway station at the edge of the English Lake
District.
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Oh and we now want to add the fantastic John Cusack movie, High Fidelity - just because !
Happy romantic viewing!
