50 Favorite Romances: 26 - 30

Also check out 1 - 5, 6 - 10, 11 - 15, 16 - 20, and 21 - 25.

26. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn't mean she's your soul mate.

I feel like people either love, hate, or cringe at this movie. I myself find it delightful. Sure, it's twee and hipster, what with the handrawn title cards and love of the Smiths. And sure, Zooey Deschanel is obviously not the best female character of all time, but I'm okay with seeing the film from Joseph Gordon-Leavitt's character's perspective. It even acknowledges that his view of her is never quite accurate. Mostly, I'm charmed by the film, and I think it offers an interesting way to tell a story in a nonlinear way. Also, I would love to do karaoke with drunk JGL.

27. Vibes (1988)

What's your problem, aside from your face?

Yeah. It's on this list. I dare anyone to find a more successful "romance in the midst of an action adventure" film. (Seriously, let me know so I can go watch them.) Psychics Nick (Jeff Goldblum) and Sylvia (Cyndi Lauper!) are recruited by Peter Falk to find a missing son. Instead they find Julian Sands being kind of creepy. Come for the ridiculous cast, remain intrigued by the tango scene, find yourself oddly moved by a pretty weird romantic storyline.

28. The Last Station (2009)

Why should it be easy? I am the work of your life, you are the work of mine. That's what love is!

Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) is dying, and his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) is worried he's not taking care of their family's finances. There are several witnesses to the histrionics that follow this argument, including a young and devoted Tolstoyan, Valentin (James McAvoy). Turns out, Valentin learns more about how to live life from Sofya and another young follower, Masha (Kerry Condon). There's a sweetness about this film that elevates the fairly sparse material into genuine stories of love, both at the end of life and at the beginning. Also, James McAvoy.

29. Splendor in the Grass (1961)

We've got to stop all this kissing and fooling around, Deanie. I just don't think we'd better see each other for a while.

Would you like to relive the sexual repression of your youth but set 1920s Kansas? Would also like to include mental breakdowns that lead to institutionalized care? And maybe some social commentary? You're in luck! It stars the very handsome Warren Beatty and beautiful Natalie Wood. In all seriousness, for such an overdramatic movie, it manages to get a lot right about hormones/feelings contradicting social/religious pressure.

30. What’s Up, Doc? (1972)

There's nothing to see, really. We're inside a Chinese dragon.

Ryan O'Neal, of all people, is making this list twice starring as total nerd square Howard Bannister. He's engaged to a person named Eunice (Madeline Khan), but gets sidetracked when the spontaneous/crazy Judy Maxwell (Barbra Streisand) gets to town. There's something about music and stolen jewels or something, but really the point of this movie is ridiculous one-liners and madcap hijinks. Surprisingly hilarious every time I've seen it.

50 Favorite Romances: 21 - 25

Also check out 1 - 5, 6 - 10, 11 - 15, and 16 - 20.

21. In the Mood for Love (2000)

Feelings can creep up just like that. I thought I was in control.

When a man (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and a woman (Maggie Cheung) find out their spouses are having an affair together, they start a relationship of their own. It's a measured love story, with moments of unbearable tension as these two try to decide between having an affair or remaining faithful to their cheating spouses. The music also keeps you on edge, reminding you of the controlled closeness of a dance by using a waltz and rhumba throughout the film.

22. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

I realize that when I met you at the turkey curry buffet, I was unforgivably rude, and wearing a reindeer jumper.

Bridget Jones has all the characteristics of a film I would hate--woman obsessed with her weight, nice guy vs. bad boy, embarrassing costumes, Renee Zellweger--but it works so damn well. Probably the because the potential boyfriends make sense to me. I mean really, has Hugh Grant ever been as sexy as he is here? I can totally buy a woman being on that guy's hook. And has Colin Firth ever been this adorable (okay, maybe the Pemberly scenes in P&P)? But also, the film remembers the comedy part of a romantic comedy. My favorite moments of comedy, of course, are the inappropriate things the mother says. I can relate.

23. Say Anything... (1989)

Kickboxing. Sport of the future.

First things first: this movie is on this list probably as much for Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" as anything else. Other reason it's on my list: the high school awkwardness of it all. I'm not sure what the deal is with a lot of people writing for high schoolers, but teenagers are not that cool. They're doing a lot of things for the first time, so they're kind of bad at it. So Lloyd Dobbler (John Cusack) starting a new relationship with Diane Court (Ione Skye) is interesting because it capture the nerves of falling in love that first time. That we watch it as Diane's father (John Mahoney) loses his perfect man luster perfectly captures the other part of growing up: disillusionment. So, with naivety and disillusionment, these two start a life together. A life maybe doomed for failure, but they're giving it a shot.

24. Love Story (1970)

-You know, Jenny, you're not that great looking.
-I know. But can I help it if you think so?

Much like Bridget Jones, this movie should be on my hate list, but instead, the tragic love story of college sweethearts makes swoon a little bit. Oliver (Ryan O'Neal) and Jenny (Ali MacGraw) meet at the library and instantly start fighting/falling in love. It's the sort of self-defense fighting that's full of false bravado and hidden emotions and I LOVE IT, and the lead actors have enough chemistry to pull it off. Overall, the story is simple: boy and girl meet, boy gets disowned from rich family, boy and girl marry, girl dies from cancer. It strangely effective, too, in the last moments, even though the end of the relationship is conveyed from the opening scene. Just ignore the line about love meaning you never have to say you're sorry (terrible advice) and the soundtrack. Talk about overkill.

25. The New World (2005)

I feel like I should be embarrassed by this choice, but I'm not. In essence, you get a twofer of love stories: one of young love and careless decisions and one of cautious love that comes after heartache. The fact that the film manages to take the old chestnut of the Pocahontas story and make it fresh should be proof enough of the film's effectiveness. Terrence Malick's signature montage/voice over style is perfect for conveying the small moments that create a relationship. The film may be overly long, but in segments, it's perfect.

So my parents visited

Pretty much this is what happened:

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.

50 Favorite Romances: 11 - 15

Also check out 1 - 5 and 6 - 10.

11. The Remains of the Day (1993)

I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer.

Is this an outright romance? No, I guess not, considering that there's hardly a word spoken to that end in the film--just glances, body proximity, and looks of regret. And anyway, it's as close of a romance as Anthony Hopkins' Mr. Stevens would ever get with Emma Thompson's Miss Kenton considering his allegiance to his job as a butler over all else. It's to the lead actors' credit that the relationship comes off as powerful as it does given the subtlety of the whole film.

12. Penelope (2006)

All Halloween I've been running into someone I used to know.

Y'all, James McAvoy could have chemistry with a hairdryer, he's just that good and generous of an actor. As a gambling addict/faux-blue blood, he adds a little sex to this sweet fairytale of a young woman cursed with a pig nose (Christina Ricci). He helps give her a push to the outside world where she finds a life of her own, away from her overbearing mother (Catherine O'Hara), pushover father (Richard E. Grant), and the pressures of marriage. And seriously, just embrace your inner 13-year-old girl when the final kiss is planted--it's magical.

13. A Man and a Woman (1966)

It's crazy to refuse happiness.

This is a simple film that acknowledges its cliches but also its originality outright. Two single parents (Anouk Aimee and Jean-Louis Trintignant) meet one weekend after meeting up with their children at boarding school, the woman needing a ride back to Paris having missed the train. We watch their first encounters play out in color, black and white, and sepia tones, and see their past lives play out in flashbacks as they swap stories. There's a genuineness to keeping the film's conflict mostly about the awkwardness of moving on to a new relationship. With the addition of a jazz/samba soundtrack, it oozes mid-century humor and class.

14. Mostly Martha (2001)

I'm not compulsive, I'm precise.

Emotionally cold and determined German chef + her niece whose mother just died + the new fun loving Italian chef at the restaurant she works at = heartwarming hijinks. Beyond this unbeatable formula, what makes the film work is the strong undercurrent of sadness that contrasts and highlights the humorous moments in the film. Plus, there's enough food porn to motivate you to try to cook something and feed it to someone sensually to French/English language jazz.

15. A Walk in the Clouds (1995)

She's like the air to me.

Am I kind of embarrassed for myself for adding this film to the list? A little bit. But let's get real: it's a beautiful film even if it's cheesy as hell. Already married Paul Sutton (Keanu "surprisingly appropriate stilted delivery" Reeves) pretends to be Victoria Aragon's (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) husband to make an excuse for her recent pregnancy. Grape harvesting, cliched lines from an overbearing father, WWII PTSD, and humorous grandfather moments ensue, as does the couple's affection for each other. Mostly, if you've ever wanted to see pretty people dappled in golden light fall in love for an hour and a half, this is the film for you.

50 Favorite Romances: 6 - 10

Also check out numbers 1-5.

6. Gone With the Wind (1939)

You should be kissed and often and by someone who knows how.

I feel like I'm under obligation to put this on the list. I adore GWTW the novel (Civil War romance, duh), but I'm a little lukewarm about the epic movie--except with Rhett Bulter (Clark Gable) comes around to spice thing up with Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh). His sleazy smile and pragmatic business sense are rather fabulous, especially when compared to the milquetoast Ashley Wilkes (Lesley Howard).

7. Two for the Road (1967)

-What kind of people just sit in a restaurant and don't say one word to each other?
-Married people?

Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney ooze chemistry from their first meeting to their bitter fighting days to their tacit acceptance of their marriage. Add a little nonlinear plot and a Henry Mancini soundtrack, and I can't resist the charm and tragedy of this film.

8. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

I got Ice Capades! I know a guy.

While You Were Sleeping is classic in my mind. Sandra Bullock was never more adorable than when swathed in oversized sweaters, and Bill Pullman never quite recaptured his floppy-haired charm in later years. Exaggerated plot contrivances involving comas and amnesia aside, the film is a great stage for an ensemble of amusing supporting characters. Also, I can't resist a good Christmas movie.

9. The Princess Bride (1987)

There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. It would be a pity to damage yours.

This movie is perfection. While the romance of Wesley and Buttercup are the linchpin of the story, everything else is what makes it worthwhile. I was going to list out my favorite parts and characters, but that would end in an entire plot summary. Suffice it to say, this is the least annoying self-aware fairytale I've ever seen. It embraces its cheese and puts a Mandy Patinkin cherry on top (go with it).

10. Philadelphia Story (1940)

I thought all writers drank to excess and beat their wives. You know one time I secretly wanted to be a writer.

I don't have much of a taste for Kathrine Hepburn. I do however have a strong taste for comic Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart acting drunk, and comedies of remarriage. There's something cozy about watching two people who know each other very well fall back in love with each other after learning life lessons, all with whip smart dialogue.