“And the Oscar goes too…” none of these films because they were snubbed. As the month of love (February) comes to an end, and the seasonal depression continues, we can’t help but rewatch our favourite romantic films. Many of them are considered some of the all-time best romantic films of all time, and others are just cheesy comfort films.
BEFORE SUNRISE (TRILOGY)- 1995
If you haven’t seen the Before Sunrise trilogy, (lucky you). I’m joking, all opinions aside, this is a film trilogy that is notable as one of the greatest stories ever told, and maybe it is because each film was filmed like the settings themselves (about 10 years apart). But for Julie Deply and Ethan Hawk, it is a story about lost love, a love you hold onto for years and years and wonder what could’ve been. Not only is this about the development of their relationships and how after years apart they can come together and still feel and act the same, but it is also about the development of how each character changed themselves for the other. The benefit of not staying with this person was to trigger the good in yourself and to show that you can do better for them, even if it means only seeing them once a decade.
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU – 1999
This classic coming of age film has had people wishing everyone could be as romantic as Heath Ledger’s character Patrick, even though we are introduced to Patrick as the ‘nark’ looking, trouble-making, rockstar, his character development between him and costar Julia Stiles character Kat is very charming. From his performance of the song ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ all the way through the montage of their newfound relationship, to even Stiles performance monologue of her poetry piece, we can’t help but feel that this is one of the most romantic films of all time. Sure it’s about teenagers who don’t even know what love is, but it is also two teenagers who are so against the idea of love that they make everyone watching want to fall in love the same way they did.
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER – 2012
This is truly a film that has defined a generation. Three friends Charlie, Sam and Patrick are navigating their way through high school, Charlie starting highschool and Sam and Patrick on the verge of graduating. They find each other and instantly become friends, as they may seem like the outcasts, they are fairly popular (terrible rumours aside). The dance between platonic and romantic relationships in this film shows the importance of finding who your friends really are. Who is there to stick up for you, who is there to get you off that ledge, and who is there to kiss you when you need it most.