With warmer weather comes thoughts of romance. It lies somewhere in those warm breezes. Or is it just me?
Sometimes my wife and I find ourselves reminiscing about our courtship days. And I realize with wonder how much of my life has turned on events and decisions made in my youth, when we were basically kids but had faith and passion.
The most momentous decision, of course, was marriage. For us and most everyone, it started — and (hopefully) endures — with romance.
Below are ten outstanding dramas that should stir the romantic in most anyone.
Camille (1936)
George Cukor directs the legendary Greta Garbo as Maguerite, a beautiful but doomed Parisian courtesan in mid-nineteenth century Paris who falls for a (relatively) penniless young lawyer (Robert Taylor). If you ever wondered what all the fuss was about concerning Garbo, watch her in this.
Now, Voyager (1942)
Superb melodrama centers on young spinster Charlotte Vale (Bette Davis) who’s oppressed by a controlling mother (Gladys Cooper). But with therapy from a kind psychiatrist (Claude Rains), she begins to come out of her shell. Then on an ocean voyage, she finds romance with Paul Henreid.
A Place in the Sun (1951)
George Eastman (Montgomery Clift) is a handsome striver with limited prospects until he meets a beautiful socialite (Elizabeth Taylor), and they fall in love. But George has a loose end he must take care of first. Film benefits from potent Clift/Taylor chemistry. Co-starring a young Shelley Winters.
Far From the Madding Crowd (1967)
Set in nineteenth-century Dorset, John Schlesinger’s sumptuous film follows the stunning Bathsheeba (Julie Christie), who’s wooed by three different admirers: a local farmer (Alan Bates), a wealthy older squire (Peter Finch), and a dashing soldier (Terence Stamp). Decisions, decisions! Stunningly shot by Nicolas Roeg.
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Suddenly single mother Alice (Ellen Burstyn) gets uprooted with her daughter, heading west to a new life. Once settled, she finds work as a waitress. Imagine — a movie about real people. Kris Kristofferson brings romance, and Diane Ladd steals it as Alice’s colleague. An early winner from Martin Scorsese.
A Room with a View (1985)
Gorgeous Merchant-Ivory film set in the early 1900s concerns Lucy (Helena Bonham-Carter), a beautiful maiden who falls for a young man (Julian Sands) while traveling with her older cousin and chaperone (Maggie Smith). Yet back home another suitor (Daniel Day-Lewis) awaits. Will true love prevail?
Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater’s love story concerns American tourist Jesse (Ethan Hawke), who meets and forges a deep connection with student Celine (Julie Delpy) on a Eurail train. Eventually Jesse asks her to join him for his last night in Europe, and she agrees. Talky, but charming. Followed by two sequels.
Bright Star (2008)
In Jane Campion’s atmospheric period film, Ben Wishaw is poet John Keats, who in 1811 forms a close attachment to his neighbor Fanny (Abbie Cornish). Social convention precludes their being wed, so even as they express their devotion, they cannot consummate their love. Tender film, the kind they rarely make anymore.
Carol (2015)
In 1950s Manhattan, married socialite Carol (Cate Blanchett) encounters store clerk Therese (Rooney Mara), and is immediately attracted. Soon these two very different women are engaged in a torrid affair, which can’t end well. This Douglas Sirk tribute fires on all cylinders, with both leads shining.
Loving (2016)
Fact-based drama profiles Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton), a white construction worker in 1950s Virginia who resolves to marry Mildred (Ruth Negga), a black woman. Wed in the nation’s capital, they face persecution back in Virginia, resulting in a landmark court case. Throughout the ordeal, their love is never in doubt.
