Top 10: Cinema’s Greatest Love Stories
10. When Harry Met Sally
While this film is considered by many to be the epitome of a romantic comedy, “When Harry Met Sally” raises significant questions about the idea of love growing from a friendship. Through iconic performances by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in the title roles, love is displayed honestly as an endeavor full of elegance and often times, awkwardness.
9. WALL-E
Before you cast any judgment on an animated film about love-struck robots being featured on list of romantic films, first consider the simple story it powerfully exudes. Our lonely title character meets the love of his dreams, and travels the far reaches of space just to win her heart. If the epic nature of this brilliantly creative love story between WALL-E and EVE isn’t enough to amaze you, its simple message reminding us of the importance of a personality is truly monumental.
8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Everyone who can appreciate a great love story must first know what it’s like to sever that connection of love. In the unique sci-fi romance, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Joel’s (Jim Carrey) breakup from Clementine (Kate Winslet) was so heartbreaking that it provoked him to erase her from his memory. As the memories are slowly erased from his mind through a futuristic technological procedure, both Joel and the audience are reminded of how important a love is, no matter how much you want to let go of it.
7. As Good as it Gets
For some people it’s not easy to understand love. For the obsessive-compulsive writer, Melvin Udall, (Jack Nicholson) it was hard enough to even understand compassion in a friendship. When the story of “As Good as it Gets” grows from the simple relationship between a man and a dog to the unexpected romantic relationship between a man and a woman, we discover a simple power that helps us become better people.
6. Beauty and the Beast
No matter what format you are recounting its story in, “Beauty and the Beast” is the magical tale of a love that remains strong, regardless of physical appearance. In Disney’s animated reinterpretation of the story, the spectacle is just as vibrant, just as emotional, and even more profound than most films set out to be. With a deeply moving and iconic song to accompany it, this is one love story we won’t soon forget.
5. Ghost
In the 1990 film, “Ghost,” we witness a unique story about the power of love taking on a completely new meaning. Patrick Swayze plays, Sam, a man who is tragically taken from his life with a beautiful girlfriend (Demi Moore). Once he discovers he is now a ghost, he struggles to protect his devastated lover, in a manner unlike he is used to. Therefore, Sam’s emotions transcend even the darkest grips of death, because of a love that truly will last forever.
4. The Notebook
Since love is something that encompasses all ages of a person’s life, “The Notebook” dares to show us how one couple’s love remains deeply connected to the way they live out their lives. Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) may have met in their teenage years, but their blossoming love held a constant significance up to their death. Throughout our lives, we carry the memories that have shaped us into the people we are today. Like the moments out of our own storybook, “The Notebook” reminds us of how love is often poetic, and deeply instilled in our lives.
3. Love Actually
Even though this film takes place on the joyous Christmas holiday, “Love Actually” gives us a vast study of love through its various and seemingly unconnected stories. Whether it’s a struggling marriage, a business friendship, an unexpected romance, or a youthful infatuation, “Love Actually” manages to tie them together in a climactic finale that’s impossible not to be affected by.
2. Titanic
Love is only made stronger through the significant moments people share together. The love story surrounding the sinking of the Titanic becomes truly epic through an equally monumental event. At the same time, the film itself relies deeply on the story it contains. As incredible a film “Titanic” was, it would have simply been a special effects driven blockbuster if it weren’t for the beautiful love story depicted by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Because of them, the title of highest grossing picture of all time is truly a fitting status.
1. Casablanca
After nearly 67 years, “Casablanca” has retained a classic love story full of romance, passion, pain, regret, laughter, and war. Not only does this story reunite two lovers who seem destined to be together, it culminates in one of the most memorable and deeply emotional scenes in the history of film. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman capture a romance that will forever remain etched in the dreaming minds of American audiences. With “Casablanca” we learn why love is the simplest, and most important capability of humans, no matter how hard or painful it may be to recount.
