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10 Best Romance Movies of All Time Part I
Number 5: Annie Hall
Annie Hall is a romantic comedy directed by Woody Allen, co-written by the latter and Marshall Brickman. The film stars the director as Alvy “Max” Singer, who tries to figure out the reasons for the failure of his relationship with the film’s female lead, Annie Hall, played by Diane Keaton. It follow’s Alvy’s attempts to understand Annie and procure his place within the relationship. Their love, however, does not last. The movie ends with Alvy’s voice summarizing; “Love is essential, especially if it is neurotic.”
Number 4: Beauty and the Beast
It may be a Disney movie, but the message within the film is simply wonderful. Sometime in the 1700’s, a young woman named Belle is seen as bizarre in her town, as she enjoys books and other things that aren’t fitting for her gender. This is especially apparent when Gaston, a man who lusts after her, informs her that women should not be reading.
Belle’s father gets kidnapped by a beast in the forest. Belle discovers this and offers herself in exchange for her father. The beast lives in a castle, where a magic rose is wilting, signifying the amount of time he has left to get someone to love him and lift his spell. Eventually, Belle falls in love with the beast and is able to see past his gruff exterior. Later in the movie, Gaston attempts to kill the beast, where he himself falls victim to this very idea. The beast’s curse is lifted, and the pair live happily ever after. The movie’s plot explains; “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
Number 3: When Harry Met Sally
This film was one of the first to raise the question; “Can men and women ever be just friends?” It follows two lovers (Billy Crystal as Harry and Meg Ryan as Sally) from the moment they meet on a cross-country trip and onward through twelve or so years of chance encounters. They argue that men and women can and can’t be friends, during which they stroll through failed relationships and broken philosophies. The pair wind up having sex following a rough breakup, and during a New Year’s Eve party that same year, fall in love and get married three months later.
Number 2: Silver Linings Playbook
This ironic film, written and directed by David O. Russel, follows a man named Pat (Bradley Cooper) who is recovering from bipolar disorder. Following his release from a mental institution in Baltimore, he attempts to make amends with his ex-wife. He had found her months prior in the shower with another man and nearly beat him to death during their old wedding song.
Pat meets a girl named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) during a dinner night with a friend and his wife. He’s intrigued by her, as she suffers from depression. The pair form a strange friendship based upon their disorders. Pat hopes this relationship will aid his quest in winning back his ex-wife.
In a twist of fate, Pat falls in love with the widowed Tiffany. The end of the movie displays that both parties have taken off their wedding rings.
Number 1: Juno
This forward-thinking film follows teenager Juno MacGuff, played by Ellen Page, during her unexpected pregnancy. The father is her admirer, and longtime friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). This romantic comedy displays a variety of subjects, including the trials of adult life on a young individual. Juno navigates through choices of abortion (which she later rejects) and decides on putting the baby up for adoption. The couple she chooses seems perfect at first, the father sharing interest in rock bands much like she does. Later on in the film, the father (Jason Bateman) named Mike, confesses feelings for Juno and divorces his wife. This then prompts Juno to confess her feelings for Paulie. She goes into labor and gives birth to a baby boy. The end of the movie shows Juno and Paulie singing together, followed by a loving kiss.
By Charlee Staniforth
