Top 5 Romance Films

Lets be honest here, there’s nothing better than a good romance film when you need a good cry. So I figured why not send out my recommendations, and fair warning now a few of these will completely shatter your hearts so proceed with caution. As per usual there will probably be some spoilers but I’ll try to limit as much as I can, so you can enjoy them as much as I did the first time. 

Number 5

Love Rosie

Released in 2014, starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin, Love Rosie follows the story of Rosie and Alex who have been best friends since they were 5 years old. Rosie is a loud, outgoing extrovert who doesn’t really think before she makes decisions. Where as Alex is a more reserved, cautious introvert, usually the one to get Rosie out of trouble. The film follows their journey through life and all of the twists and turns life can take. We are routing for our main characters to get together throughout but just when we think its going to happen, the rug gets pulled out from under us.

My favourite scene is right at the beginning when Rosie and Alex are getting ready for a school dance. We are quickly introduced to their friendship with the quick and comfortable patter they share, we also see how awkward Alex gets when Rosie asks if she should have her boobs natural or pushed up and isn’t even phased. I would highly recommend as it fill you with joy whilst also having moments that pull on your heart strings. 

Number 4

The Vow

Based on a true story, The Vow follows the life of a couple, Paige and Leo, after they are in a serious car accident and it is revealed that Paige has lost all memory of her life with Leo. We see them try to navigate their normal lives but we very quickly see Paige struggle. This film deals with some very big issues and has you reaching for the tissue box constantly. I think this is one of both Channing Tatums and Rachel McAdams best roles. They have brilliant chemistry and are a couple you root for right from the get go and throughout, despite all of the obstacles they face. 

My favourite scene is definitely their wedding scene, it takes place in an art gallery with their friend officiating it, Paige is not in a traditional wedding dress but a knee length, baby pink dress with a short vail and white bouquet of flowers. As well as Leo who isn’t in a traditional suit but a dark blue slightly baggy, with a burgundy tie. The scene is just so precious, they both write their vows on the back of menus from the restaurant they had their first date and the beautiful vows that are shared just show their love and how they are meant to be. Then when we find out they are not suppose to be there and security chase them out, but Paige and Leo never loose the smile on their face it just shows how perfect they are together and makes us want them back together even more.

Number 3

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is a film that goes down in Romance history so it was only right that it had a place on my list. Realised in 1999, its no surprise that this romance, set in the title location starred two of the biggest films stars of that time Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Grant’s character Willam is a small bookshop owner who leads a pretty mundane life, whereas Roberts’ character is world famous actress Anna Scott. We follow their journey as they first meet in Williams shop and a series of events has them running into each other, (quite literally). If your a fan of romance cliches then you are also in luck. They have it all, from the main character being a bookshop owner, to the main love interests literally running into each other, the grand declaration of love from both sides, (one even being publicly at a press conference), him having the quirky friend group and her wishing she could have a normal life.

My favourite scene has to be the ‘who deserves the last brownie scene’. It is set at William’s friends house where their group is having dinner, and Anna has been invited. We get to see a game they play where whoever feels they have it worst in life gets to have the last brownie if the rest of the group agree. The scene is an emotional rollercoaster, Bella dealing with some large issues, the group then change focus to William, stating how bad his life is, making the group and the audience laugh. Anna then speaks up that she would like to put her hat in the ring and we hear about the difficulties she has to go through with her lifestyle. The group quickly bring up the atmosphere and make her feel better, stating that she’s not fooling anyone and William still gets the brownie. I like how this portrays the characters and the group dynamic as well as another side to Anna that isn’t Anna Scott movie star but Anna Scott regular woman. Which I think is how she feels a lot of the tome when she is with William. 

Number 2

One Day

One Day realesed in 2011, follows the lives of 2 friends, Emma played by Anne Hathaway and Dexter played by Jim Sturgess, right from the day they meet and for the next 20 years. Emma is a sensible, quiet and reserved person who is very much for doing things by the book and sticking to the rules. Dexter on the other hand is a rich playboy ,who does what he wants, when he wants. We see key stages in their realtionship unfold and how they complement and help each other, Dexter helps to loosen Emma up and help her to experience the more fun things in life and Emma helps keep Dexter grounded and think a bit more rationally about situations before he dives in. We really root for them as a pairing even though apart from a couple drunken kisses it seems as though it will never happen, which is very infuriating. I also feel like we should take a moment to appreaciate Anne Hathaways very good and believable English accent that she manages to keep up through the whole film.

My favourite scene would have to be the final scene, where it flashes back to the first day Emma and Dexter met and we can see how their friendship began, initially Dexter turned down plans with her and they were about to go their separate ways but then they decided to go for a walk. You can already see how much chemistry they have and how well they complement eachother, you can also see how Dexter, who again is known for being a playboy notices something different in Emma and actually listens to her, a pattern that would contiune for the rest of their friendship. 

Number 1

Me Before You

Again based off of the best selling book by Jojo Moyes. The film stars Emilia Clark as full of life, bubbly Lou, who is in desperate need of a job after the cafe she was working at closed and her family depend on her for the money. She gets a job as carer for Will after he was in a motor bike accident and left paralysed from the neck down. As a result of this Will has become closed off and angry at the world. Lou although inexperienced is hired by Will’s father to try and pick up his spirits and hope some of her happiness will rub off on him. I love how we get so see the progression between the characters and the development of their relationships, the movie deals with some sensitive subject but its done very well and tastefully. This movie will have you smiling with joy one minute and sobbing tears the next, I would highly recommend but just make sure you’ve got tissues at the ready. 

My Favourite Scene is a celebration for Lou’s birthday, following a birthday meal we get to see Lou with her Mum, Dad, Grandfather, her boyfriend Patrick and Will, opening her gifts. After being sang Happy Birthday, her Dad gives a speech saying how lucky they were to have her and how much of a help she has been over the past year. I think this is a lovely moment and shows how much of a tight nit family they are. When it comes to presents, she get a photo album of her growing up from her family and we can see she is really touched by it and she clearly doesn’t care about the present value. Next is Patrick, we see Lou’s reaction before the gift and it is clear she is trying to spare his feelings making us more interested in what it is, when its revealed that it is a love heart necklace with his name on it, her reaction becomes understandable. However when Will announces he has a present for her, firstly everyone is surprised, then Lou opens it to reveal a pair of black and yellow ‘bumble bee’ tights, that in a earlier scene she had shared was her favourite item of clothing when she was little but was unable to find a pair since. She is celery overjoyed and tells him how much she loves and appreciates them. This just shows how he listens to her and cares for her and the big contrast between his and Patricks presents as one was incredibly ‘Lou’ and the other not so much.