By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Valentine's is full of romance, and for some, it is a good time for armchair romance, with a big bag of popcorn. So hit the Haagen-Dazs, because here's the Press+1 recommended list of Romantic Films made in the last decade!

I've discovered that a few elements are required when speaking the language of love onscreen from 2000 to 2010: we are a society who either likes to live a blissful fantasy world of romance, or we like to have a ‘good cry' when two people fall in love and it can never be. I've also discovered that if you mix and match any of the following actors with these actresses, you are bound to make a successful romantic film; Sandra Bullock, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, Hugh Grant, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp, Ed Norton. Although we miss the sweeping romances from the previous decades that have brought us fond memories, from Gone With The Wind to Young at Heart to Casablanca, I think you will find a few classics within this collection as well.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004) - Based on an absurd premise but grounded in real emotion, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is about a man who wishes to erase his ex-girlfriend from his memory after he finds out she erased him first. Life isn't always that easy, as Joel (Jim Carrey) discovers: as he's erasing Clementine (Kate Winslet) from his memory, he's also erasing some of the best parts of his life. Joel starts to fight the memory erasing in a desperate effort to protect what he's discovered he loves most about life...Clementine. A beautifully structured film, which has the story going both backwards and forwards, that always reminds us how precious our memories truly are.

The Lake House (2006) - Some people are meant to make good film romance; Bacall and Bogart, Ryan and Hanks, and Bullock and Reeves. In this French film remake, Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves) moves into a Lake House and is asked by the previous owner, Kate Forster (Bullock) to forward her mail; the only problem is that she dates her letters 2006 and he dates them 2004. They discover they are somehow two years apart, and as they correspond back and forth, creating an intimate relationship through words, they discover they have a connection that bridges the two year gap. In a plot twist right out of a 1940s classic, Alex of 2004 books a date in 2006 to meet up with Kate at a romantic restaurant, making him wait for two years but Kate just waits until tomorrow...only, Alex never shows when the day finally arrives and his 2004 self has no answer to give Kate. What would detain him? A lot can happen in two years. This is a really great film, and well worth multiple viewings.

North & South (2004) - Need a Mr. Darcy fix? Watched Mr. Darcy far too many times already (not that Colin Firth looking at Jennifer Ehle at the piano ever gets old)? Still need a decent 19^th century man? Well I have a solution for you. Meet Northerner John Thornton of the Elizabeth Gaskell classic North & South. Margaret Hale, a feisty southern girl, has moved to Britain's industrial Northern city of Milton and her customs are not that of the areas. Mr. Thornton comes off as stern at first (not dissimilar to Mr. Darcy's initial pride) but we are soon to discover that he loves Margaret deeply. However, a chance sighting by Mr. Thornton of Margaret bidding farewell to a young man at the train station at night (unattended!) and a dark secret Margaret is unwilling to share could damage their chances of falling in love. Gaskell's classic works on many levels -- it is about class systems, the hardship of the industrial revolution, and missed communications. The novel differs slightly from the film, particularly in regards to the ending, but I would have to admit that the ending of this romance is much better on film than in print.

The Painted Veil (2006) - Another classic novel brought to film. Somerset Maugham's story of a man and woman who marry first and fall in love later is quite possibly one of the most romantic films on the DVD shelf. Set in the 1920s, Walter (Edward Norton) sees Kitty (Naomi Watts) at a party and is immediately struck by her. After an incredibly brief courtship they are married, but Walter is all practicality and Kitty is frivolous and spoiled. Walter moves Kitty from England to China where he does research. Quickly bored, Kitty dives into a love affair with a married man. When Walter discovers the infidelity he makes her choose between a public disgraceful divorce and moving to the cholera-stricken interior of China where he has requested a transfer as a virtual suicide mission. She refuses both options and in a cruel turn Walter tells her she can have a quiet divorce if her lover agrees to leave his wife. Kitty returns embittered to Walter after speaking with her paramour and moves to the China interior. It is a cruel setup, but as Kitty learns to grow up, she understands Walter's complexities and how she almost let the best man she would ever find slip between her fingers; now she must find a way to regain his trust. This is a beautiful film that will make you want to read the novel as soon as the end credits of the film roll.

The Notebook (2004) - Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling star in The Notebook, and play Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun, two people from different walks of life who meet at a carnival in the 1940s and spend the next bulk of years fighting for love or hiding from it. The story of this couple is relayed back from an elderly man to his wife via a notebook. Also derived from a novel, this Nicholas Sparks story sounds like a straight boy-meets-girl scenario, which it is, and it does not shy away from being a sentimental romance; however, there is something truly captivating about this film. Bring out the hankies for this one!

Finding Neverland (2004) - Instead of a film based on a book, Finding Neverland is a film about an author, J.M. Barrie of Peter Pan fame. In a much disputed take on the past, Finding Neverland explores the relationship between J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) and a widowed woman, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet), with a family of four young boys. Barrie is portrayed as a playmate to the children and a confidant to Sylvia. One of the four boys is Peter, who will eventually be the inspiration for Peter Pan, but when the film takes place, we see a disillusioned young boy who has lost his father and it is up to Barrie to help the boy remember how to live again inside the world of imagination. The story is an untraditional romance, but has the essence of heart on every level. It is beautifully directed (Marc Forster) and effortlessly merges reality with the imagination of Barrie's Neverland. Not only that, who was the complete genius to match Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet in a romantic film together?

He's Just Not That Into You (2009) - A simply lovely film that debunks the truths that women hold so dear to their hearts. This collection of relationships, all at different stages of flowering, flourishing or failing, ends up being a rather delightful romantic film with such mega-stars as Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Connelly and Drew Barrymore. He's Just Not That Into You does seem to center around Ginnifer Goodwin's character, Gigi, figuring out what falling in love is all about. In her desperate attempts to find "the one," she stumbles across a man willing to guide her through the unclear signals women seem to think men send out. I would have to agree with Alex (Justin Long) on this one -- if a guy is nuts about you, he will let you know and in no ambiguous terms. The film has some truly romantic and touching moments and I declared after seeing it that "He’s Just Not That Into You has made me realize that all films should have two running motifs – they should all have Ben Affleck on bended knee at some point and should all end with a Keane song to back up a romantic moment." Take a look at the hilarious promo video for this film at the end of the article. It has three of the male actors showing the ten "chick flick" moments not in this movie.

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) - Based on the best-selling novel by Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones's Diary is about a woman who is a complete mess, living in London and trying her absolute best to change her current circumstances of being single, toiling through an uninspiring job, and drinking too much in her PJ's while singing ‘All By Myself,' in her infinitely small flat. Face it, most "normal" women have all lived the fate of Bridget at one point or another. No matter how hard Bridget tries, she just seems to always make a mess of things. Yet, despite all of Bridget's hardships, she manages to date a complete playboy (Hugh Grant) and in typical Pride & Prejudice fashion, fall in love with Mr. Darcy...who is played by Colin Firth...but whose name is Mark Darcy in this (tongue-in-cheek anyone?). Anyways, if you are bound to commiserate and hope for the completely fantastical story ending, you might want to watch Bridget Jones's Diary, followed up with Bridget Jones's Diary: The Edge Of Reason this Valentines, followed up with a little ‘All By Myself` directly afterwards.

Something's Gotta Give (2003) - Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton are wonderful together playing complete opposites, who despite his desire to skirt-chase substantially younger women and her desire to remain single as relationships are far too complicated, end up having a romantic interlude. Screenwriter Nancy Meyers (The Holiday) weaves a hilarious romantic comedy that welcomes Nicholson and Keaton's quirky personalities into the plotline. Keanu Reeves makes a delightful guest spot as a young doctor with a heart intended on the 'sophisticated' Diane Keaton character. Something's Gotta Give is a great film about grown-ups finding romance, and in a day and age where society is so youth-obsessed, this film is welcomed for those who are not.

Australia (2008) - Although this film met mixed reviews, you can't deny the power of an epic film like this! All the elements for love and romance, hankies and butterflies, are condensed into Australia. The secret to this film's inevitable long-term success will be its two leading stars. After all, what man doesn't want Nicole Kidman and what woman doesn't want Hugh Jackman? I must admit, the "Timotei" commercial moment with Jackman pouring a bucket of water over his shirtless body was a highlight of my film-watching year (many women sigh and thank Baz Luhrmann for this...after all, Jackman just hasn't been shirtless in enough movies...). Anyways, Luhrmann reclaimed that Man From Snowy River to the big screen.

So did I miss your favourite romantic film in the last decade? Tell me what film you loved more than Haagen-Dazs....

Written by :

Kindah

 

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (2)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by Amanda.Wenek, February 08, 2010

I just can't believe Love Actually isn't part of this list!!! My all-time favorite, and in my opinion, the best-made in recent memory, romantic comedy... I agree with Miriam; Lars and The Real Girl was SUCH a sweet movie. Kudos to you though, I can't believe you managed to narrow it down as you did. There are soo many to choose from!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Miriam, February 07, 2010

I'm so with you in your favourite moment from Australia - I really couldn't have put it better myself :) I have to say though, I must be one of the few girls who couldn't stand The Notebook. I thought it was just way overdone and contrived. I also wasn't crazy about He's Just Not That Into You, because it just seemed like most of the resolutions at the end of the movie completely contradicted the whole message the movie was trying to promote - EVERY guy seemed to be "the exception"! I loved Finding Neverland and enjoyed Bridget Jones's Diary too, though I recommend the book (and especially the book's sequel) as being much better than both movies.

As for additions, I loved 30 Going on 30, and just watched Twilight this weekend for the first time - even though some of it made me laugh (unintentionally), there were some very romantic moments. I thought Lars and the Real Girl was a very sweet movie too, and Love Actually was a great romantic movie.

• 
• +0
• 
•