50 Favorite Romances: 16 - 20

Also check out 1 - 5, 6 - 10, and 11 - 15.

16. My Man Godfrey (1936)

-Do you think you could follow an intelligent conversation for a minute?
-I'll try.

Who knew Depression-era social politics could be so adorable? Derelict Godfrey (William Powell with scruff!) gets to roped into being the butler/straight man to a rich family, including the daughter falls in love with him (Carole "I married awesomely twice" Lombard). Fast talking one-liners and amusing sight gags abound. And my god, if I didn't find Powell incredibly sexy in this role. Is it just me?

17. The Sound of Music (1965)

You brought music back into the house. I had forgotten.

Since this list is all about me confessing my sometimes embarrassing preferences, I have to confess I enjoy the first half of this film more than the second half and maybe sometimes only watch the first part of this movie. It just gets so nationalistic and lacking in chaste sexual tension and pep talks from nuns. Anyway, I'll always root for a tough guy getting with the spunky girl who brings out his soft side. The fact that it involves beautiful musical numbers and children dressed in curtains is just icing on the cake.

18. Casablanca (1942)

Tell me, who was it you left me for? Was it Laszlo, or were there others in between? Or--aren't you the kind that tells?

Apparently this is turning into the "romance in times of civil unrest" portion of the list. More to the point: Casablanca is a perfectly crafted film. Beautifully filmed, beautifully paced, beautifully cast (Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman at their finest, not to mention the impeccable Claude Rains among others in the supporting cast). It also doesn't take itself too seriously, remembering to have a sense of humor, even in the midst of illegal business transactions and Nazis occupation.

19. Charade (1963)

This is a ludicrous situation. I can think of a dozen men who are just longing to use my shower.

Let's talk about the movie that made me fall in love with old movies. I was 12 years old and at a Sunday school ice cream party, and we watched this 1960s delight of a thriller. Never before did I realize that old movies could be just as exciting a romantic as new movies. Audrey Hepburn plays naive widow whose life is endangered as old war buddies vie for her husband's money. Cary Grant is the mysterious man who may or may not be helping her out of this pickle, all while effortless charming this younger lady into falling in love with him. There are so many twists and turns in Charade, it's a relief that the film isn't sanctimonious about the whole affair. So classy fabulous.

20. Monsoon Wedding (2001)

Whether our parents introduce us or whether we meet in a club, what difference does it make?

There are a few plotlines running through this film, but the two love stories are both beautiful, even as they juxtapose each other. The main love story involves a young Indian woman, Aditi (Vasundhara Das), who is set up in an arranged marriage with a man living in America (Parvin Dabas). She's having trouble saying goodbye to her old flame and jumping into a relationship with a man she barely knows. The second, and perhaps more endearing romance, involves the goofy wedding planner (Vijay Raaz) who falls in love with a servant (Tillotama Shome). Their innocent love is all the more charming among the chaos of the elaborate wedding.