I am an unabashed romance junkie, be they novels or films. Given that Valentine’s Day is almost here, and it takes place over the weekend (cue the movie marathon), I thought I’d tempt your hearts with some of my favorites in the genre, with one caveat: these are movies I love because they are so bad they are good and I just can’t help myself. These are the cheesy, feel good, inspirational, tear-jerker films that I watch over and over again when I happen to catch them on cable and I can’t tear myself away. FYI: these are in no particular order as I feel committed to all of them (sniff, sniff).
“The Lake House” (2006): Put Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock together and you always have a winning combination of cheesy inspiration and tear-jerker romance (unless, of course, they are on a bus). This is the “romance across time” plot, where Keanu and Sandra fall in love through letters left in the mailbox of the same house that they occupy, but two years apart. Will they finally meet up in real time? I’m sure you can guess the answer. I’ve probably watched this one twenty times. I can’t help but love it. I know. Pathetic.
“The Cutting Edge” (1992): Who doesn’t love a good ice skating movie? Seriously. Blue collar hockey player meets Olympic hopeful, rich girl ice princess hoping to make a comeback. If you have not seen this one, it is a must! (And yes people: there are made for TV movies of The Cutting Edge 2 and 3!)
“Untamed Heart” (1993): This was a favorite for me all the way back in college and it might win the cheesiest of all time award. I think I still have the VHS tape from when it showed on TV once, commercials and all. This is a Marisa Tomei-Christian Slater classic. She’s a waitress, he’s a janitor at the restaurant. He has some sort of strange heart problem that also makes him, I don’t know, a little bashful for some reason. They fall for each other. Tragedy ensues. I cry every time.
“Titanic” (1997): Could it be that Titanic is the only movie in history that allowed us to put the words “blockbuster” and romance” in the same sentence, coming together to make a “blockbuster romance” of a film? I know that “Titanic” received great critical acclaim and all, but let’s face it: it’s high class cheese on a sinking ship. And with a scene like the one where Leo famously shouts “I’m the king of the world” with Kate at his side, it’s hard to be beat on this list.
“Dirty Dancing” (1987): While this might be one of my favorite movies of all time (yes, I admit it), and it is beloved among people of my generation, we all have to face up to the fact that though classic, it’s full of clichéd, romantic melodrama, complete with that famous lift in the dancing scene at the very end. “Nobody puts Baby in the corner,” says Patrick Swayze, when he pulls Jennifer Grey onto the floor (sigh), and I couldn’t let Baby stand neglected on this list either.
“The Prince & Me” (2004): For the teen in all of us and for that hope we still harbor to meet our prince one day (or princess), this Julia Stiles classic (according to me) is a must-watch. She plays a studious, successful, aspiring doctor, who gets courted by a handsome, undercover, playboy prince, come to college in the US to escape the paparazzi. Will their tender, new love be able to withstand his royal obligations once she discovers them? I can’t quite believe I’ve just admitted to loving this one, but there you go.
“The Wedding Planner” (2001): Talk about predictable and contrived yet it gets me every time: Jennifer Lopez is a lonely (very upscale) wedding planner who falls for the husband of one of her brides–after he rescues her one day. We’re talking movies in the park, slow-dancing in the rain, a tortured yet humorous courtship. And Matthew McConaughey is the guy. What more do you want? (Though full confession: I debated between this Jennifer Lopez movie and “Maid in Manhattan”–it was tough competition between the two but I like Matthew better as a love interest.)
“Runaway Bride” (1999): Like Ms. Ryan, Julia Roberts has some classic romances under her belt, not least of which include “Pretty Woman” (another Gere flick) and “Notting Hill” which I happen to love. But “Runaway Bride,” a reprise of Gere and Roberts falling in love on screen, falls squarely on the “this is so bad it’s good” scale. Roberts plays a small town girl who can’t commit, Gere is a big city reporter who takes her to task in an article. Hate turns to love. Cue the wedding bells and running shoes.
“Kate & Leopold” (2001): There had to be a Meg Ryan film on this list. She holds the title of starring in my most favorite romances of all time, which include “When Harry Met Sally,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “You’ve Got Mail,” but this one is a little much. (Yet I still love it!) It’s another “falling in love across time” flick, starring Hugh Jackman as the 19th century nobleman (yes, I’m not kidding) who gets pulled through a time portal into Kate’s boyfriend’s apartment. Cue the antics and the sparks.
“A Walk to Remember” (2002): Ohmigosh: cry me a river with this one. Based on one of Nicholas Sparks’s really, really, really badly written bestsellers and starring Mandy Moore, this is a bad boy meets good girl, good girl transforms bad boy into good boy movie, yet, of course, the good girl is dying. This is so so so so cheesy, yet I somehow manage to enjoy it anyway.
(And just so you know: many of these you can play instantly on Netflix!).
What are your favorite, so-bad-it’s-good romantic films? Post your thoughts below.
posted February 9, 2009 at 12:17 pm
My favorite list would be Moonstruck, My best friends wedding, While you were sleeping, Bye Bye Love and PS I love you.My all time fav is really old clasic Jane Eyre
posted February 9, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I don’t know about “so bad it’s good,” but here are my favourites:
* Under the Tuscan Sun: the fact that I’ve been to both Rome and Cortona (and have seen the real Bramasole) makes it even more fun to watch. Plus, it’s not a “traditional” romantic comedy: Diane only meets her soul mate at the end of the movie.
* 27 Dresses: this one is cheesy and projects the message that womens’ lives are complete when–and only when–they get the guy. Why do I have the sudden urge to rebel by not getting married? But it’s a fun movie. And those dresses! Need I say more?
* Love Actually: I love the scene where Hugh Grant dances through 10 Downing Street. And also where Liam Neeson says (in his wonderful Irish accent), “we need Kate, and we need Leo–and we need them now!” That, of course, is a reference to Titanic.
* Notting Hill: fun, fun, fun, fun, FUN! And yes, I have a favourite scene in this one, too: the party scene always makes me want to jump through the screen and join in the competition for that last brownie (let’s see: I had to fight for my life as a baby, my Granny died when I was seventeen…….).
posted February 9, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Why the “yes, I’m not kidding” comment regarding Hugh Jackman’s playing a 19th century nobleman in KATE & LEOPOLD? Did you know he was nominated for a Golden Globe award for that performance?
posted February 9, 2009 at 6:21 pm
A great list! Everyone is entitled to their unabashedly romantic favorites. When I met Marisa Tomei in December, I told her “Untamed Heart” was a great favorite of mine and she gave me a hug! And I won’t tell you how many times I’ve watched “The Lake House.” I love the scene where they dance to the Paul McCartney song. I was re-watching “Cutting Edge” not long ago and noticed that the screenwriter is the guy who also wrote…”Michael Clayton!”
If you like these films, you must watch some of the black and white classics like “The Enchanted Cottage” and “Born Yesterday.”
posted February 9, 2009 at 7:22 pm
MY FAVORITE LOVE STORY IS ” THE NOTEBOOK ” THE LOVE THAT WAS SHARED FOR SO MANY YEARS BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE WAS BEAUTIFUL . AND IT’S A REMINDER TO ALL OF US THAT AN ILLNESS CAN TAKE OUR ONE AND ONLY TRUE LOVE OUR SOLE MATE. IT’S A TEAR JERKER BUT OH SO TRUE.
posted February 9, 2009 at 10:19 pm
I LOVE ALL THOSE MOVIES MENTIONED, HOWEVER, MY FAV WOULD HAVE TO BE THE NOTEBOOK. IT IS A RICH COMBINATION OF THE NEWNESS OF A RELATIONSHIP, THAT THRILL RIDE GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER ON ALL LEVELS AND THE ULTIMATE ENDING OF THE DEPTH OF WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A SOUL MATE. I NEVER CRIED SO MUCH AT ANY MOVIE AS I DID THIS ONE. OH TO HAVE SOMEONE LOVE YOU THAT MUCH WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
posted February 10, 2009 at 6:33 am
You should add to this list “you got mail” and “sleepless in seatle”…
posted February 10, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Another tear jerker love story is Sweet November with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron. Tear worthy!
posted February 11, 2009 at 10:47 am
I have three favorites to add to list:
August Rush – the love story gets a little lost on her side due to the fact that she is looking for her son, but the male actor never loses his desire to find her. GREAT MOVIE!
A Wonderful Mind – Russel Crowe was excellent in this movie, but his co-star wife showed how true love endures. She showed true love staying with him throughout regardless of the hardships with his condition.
Splender In The Grass – Probably the only chic flick that ever made me cry. The last scene is one for every to watch.
posted February 11, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Could it get any better than Annette Benning and Michael Douglas.
posted February 12, 2009 at 10:23 am
And of course Ali MacGraw and Ryan Oneil in Love Story.
posted February 12, 2009 at 10:33 am
I have to go with one of the 10 listed above…Dirty Dancing!
posted February 12, 2009 at 10:34 am
Love and Basketball; Brown Sugar; Thomasine and Bushrod; just a few romances with an African-American perspective…PEACE.
posted February 12, 2009 at 10:43 am
THANKS TO RODERICK BRYANT FOR INTERJECTING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE, WONDER WHY OUR ‘EXPRESSIONS’ ARE ALWAYS SO CONVEINIENTLY OVERLOOKED?
posted February 12, 2009 at 11:20 am
What about some of the old classics? There was nothing older than 1987 on this list. There are some great romantic stories in older movies, too. The classic “An Affair to Remember” with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Or how about “Sabrina” or “Roman Holiday” with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Maybe these don’t fall under the “so bad that they’re good” category, because back then… they were all good.
posted February 12, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Imitation of Life with Lana Turner, very old but very good love story.
Casablanca…of course.
posted February 12, 2009 at 3:15 pm
One of my favorites: Somewhere In Time, starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. A must. I love it.
posted February 12, 2009 at 8:54 pm
The movie “The Notebook”. Great Love story, with a few good plot twists.
posted February 12, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I just want to say thanks, I keep a running list of “Things I Really Would Like to Do” and you all gave me quite a few movies to add to my must see list.
posted February 13, 2009 at 8:32 am
I read “A Walk To Remember” after owning the book for at least 4 years! I didn’t know it had a movie!
posted February 13, 2009 at 10:46 am
1. Somewhere in Time
2. South Pacific
3. It Happened One Night
posted February 13, 2009 at 2:51 pm
What Dreams May Come… with Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr.
depending on your life experiences you will see heaven and hell in a whole NEW way…
posted February 13, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I love most of the ones you’ve mentioned, but then again there are some that just get me.
1. Ladyhawke. I know this is quite obscure, but it’s fantastic. Star crossed lovers who don’t really get together until the final scenes. But their love is ever-lasting.
2. Circle of Friends. The fat girl wins. YEAH!!!
3. The Mirror has Two Faces. Best Barbra Steisand movie ever.
4. EverAfter. Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott – need I say more.
5. When Harry met Sally. No matter how many times I’ve seen it before, each time I come across it on tv, I stop channel surfing and watch all over again.
6. Twilight. What can be better than a clumsy girl and a rude vampire. AWESOME!!!
posted February 15, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I’m sorry to the comment on Twilight—I thought unless you are 14 years old and think he’s “Hot”—that movie absolutely sucked!!! Anyone seen “Nights of Rodanthe” I love the fact that “A Walk to Remember” was on the original list up there…. I absolutely love anything that came from Nicholas Sparks novels….
posted March 8, 2009 at 11:16 am
I agree that Dirty Dancing was one romantic and lots of fun. Loved it and have watched it many times. Another one was When Harry Met Sally. Loved that one too. Terrific film. I loved Pride and Prejudice (the 6 DVD version) Great love story, and finally all the Hepburn-Tracy movies. Lots more, but who can mention them all?
posted March 25, 2009 at 10:02 am
I have to agree (mostly) with Rita R – I’m not 14yrs old, I hated the movie, they filmed it like B Rated movie, fire the make-up artist and keep the action direct. However, the book was so so much better.
posted March 30, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I love all the movies everyone is mentioning… My favorite of all times is the notebook, but here are some no one has mentioned, 10 things I hate about you , who doesn’t like the taming of the shrew, I mean Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger where a class act in that film, and They made me feel like anyone can be head over heels at any time, and then there’s save the last dance which puts a spin on interracial couples and how no matter who you are if you wanna love you can love who you want to love, and then Where the heart is, Nobalee and Forne, Strange but sweet. Those are just some ideas, by the way I also love p.s. I love you, 27 dresses and I would also have to Add Rent into my list for Romance even though its Broadway musical its a beautiful Romance Movie as well….
posted April 1, 2009 at 7:15 am
beautiful list. I loved most of these movie so for me, this is the best lest on the net
thank you
posted April 13, 2009 at 5:13 pm
the notebook kicks all these movies ass!
posted May 2, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Rita R. and Your Name, there is no need to be negative. I am not 14, and I actually enjoyed twilight. It generates a lot of anticipation since they do not rush into love making or even kissing. Sometimes it is the anticipation that makes it that much better…
posted May 3, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I just seen “Only If” that was a really great movie. I see that nobody mentioned “A Walk In The Clouds” also one of my favorites.
posted November 22, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Jeux d’enfants is an beautiful unconventional love story and I would place here A very long engagement.
A classic romantic film and one of my favorite Jane Austen movies is Emma (Gwyneth Paltrow).
I wouldn’t forget Before Sunrise and Before Sunset (I loved that they kept same actors and the same director even though the movies were almost ten years apart).
I would probably add Pretty Woman to the list as well…