Interesting and/or Realistic Romances
Films that really make the viewer think and reflect upon love and romantic relationships. Films that portray love in an unconventional or realistic manner, with all the uncertainty and fear and resentment that may come with it.
Some **may** consider my thoughts on the films listed to include **spoilers**. So if one wants to avoid spoilers, I suggest you avoid my descriptions.
Some **may** consider my thoughts on the films listed to include **spoilers**. So if one wants to avoid spoilers, I suggest you avoid my descriptions.
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- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEthan HawkeJulie DelpyAndrea EckertA young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.All of the films of this series are great reflections on love, intimacy, and relationships.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEthan HawkeJulie DelpyVernon DobtcheffNine years after Jesse and Celine first met, they encounter each other again on the French leg of Jesse's book tour.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEthan HawkeJulie DelpySeamus Davey-FitzpatrickWe meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna.The most depressing and challenging of the other two films in the series, but that also makes this a great film. It shows the resentment that often can fester in long term relationships. As the other films do, it questions the meaning and ingredients of love. This film emphasizes the commitment love requires.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsJim CarreyKate WinsletTom WilkinsonWhen their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.This film portrays the resent and hatred that can build in relationships, but how even then, there were still good times and lessons.
- DirectorAndrew HaighStarsTom CullenChris NewJonathan RaceAfter a drunken house party with his straight mates, Russell heads out to a gay club. Just before closing time he picks up Glen but what's expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something else, something special.This film demonstrates the intimacy and meaning that short-term or mainly sexual relationships can have.
- DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsMahershala AliNaomie HarrisTrevante RhodesA young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
- DirectorHans CanosaStarsHelena Bonham CarterAaron EckhartYury TsykunWhen a man and woman flirt with each other at a wedding reception, the sexual tension seems spontaneous. As they break from the party to a hotel room, the flirtation turns into a night filled with passion and remorse.Somewhat similar to Before Sunrise.
- DirectorEric BressJ. Mackye GruberStarsAshton KutcherAmy SmartMelora WaltersEvan Treborn suffers blackouts during significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life by reading his journal.This film shows how sometimes the best thing we can do is let go of someone, even if we really love them.
- DirectorBen YoungerStarsUma ThurmanMeryl StreepBryan GreenbergA career driven professional from Manhattan is wooed by a young painter, who also happens to be the son of her psychoanalyst.This fun film conveys how even if a relationship ends, it was still a beautiful and loving experience.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsRebecca HallScarlett JohanssonJavier BardemTwo friends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.This film questions monogamy and the belief that people can only love one person at a time.
- DirectorBen LewinStarsJohn HawkesHelen HuntWilliam H. MacyA man in an iron lung who wishes to lose his virginity contacts a professional sex surrogate with the help of his therapist and priest.This film explores intimacy, sex, and love.
- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsGlen HansardMarkéta IrglováHugh WalshA modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.Beautiful music and a beautiful film.
- DirectorErnst LubitschStarsFredric MarchGary CooperMiriam HopkinsA woman cannot decide between two men who love her, and the trio agree to try living together in a platonic friendly relationship.An early, astounding film questioning monogamy and exploring polyamory.
- DirectorStephen ChboskyStarsLogan LermanEmma WatsonEzra MillerCharlie, a 15-year-old introvert, enters high school and is nervous about his new life. When he befriends his seniors, he learns to cope with his friend's suicide and his tumultuous past.I prefer the novel and have not watched all of the film. As far as the novel goes, it questions and reflects on sex, love, intimacy, and life.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert De NiroAfter a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.This film explores relationship dynamics when the two people in it have mental illnesses.
- DirectorDerek CianfranceStarsRyan GoslingMichelle WilliamsJohn DomanThe relationship of a contemporary married couple, charting their evolution over a span of years by cross-cutting between time periods.I haven't seen this movie in a while but I recall it portraying the resentment that can develop in long-term relationships and the overall deterioration that can occur.
- DirectorJohn CurranStarsNaomi WattsEdward NortonLiev SchreiberDr Walter gets married to the beautiful Kitty but soon finds out that she is cheating on him. Battling his way through problems, he heads to China to fight a dreaded disease spread in a small village.This interesting film shows how a failing marriage can surprisingly resurrect.
- DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.This beautiful film shows someone's struggle after they have lost a partner and their ideal love and how to overcome the grief and sadness.
- DirectorAbbas KiarostamiStarsJuliette BinocheWilliam ShimellJean-Claude CarrièreIn Tuscany to promote his latest book, a middle-aged British writer meets a French woman who leads him to the village of Lucignano. While there, a chance question reveals something deeper.This film reveals the failure of a marriage in an interesting way. It also questions the authenticity and meaning of love.
- DirectorZach BraffStarsZach BraffPeter SarsgaardNatalie PortmanA quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.I haven't seen this in a while but I recall it questioning and reflecting upon love and life.
- DirectorJac SchaefferStarsEmma Caulfield FordScott HolroydKali RochaIf a clock could count down to the moment you meet your soul mate, would you want to know?Interesting concept that does ask intriguing questions yet does not fully explore them.
- DirectorJason ReitmanStarsElliot PageMichael CeraJennifer GarnerFaced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes a selfless decision regarding the unborn child.
- DirectorGoran DukicStarsPatrick FugitShea WhighamTom WaitsA film set in a strange afterlife way station that has been reserved for people who have committed suicide.
- DirectorAlain ResnaisStarsEmmanuelle RivaEiji OkadaStella DassasA French actress filming an anti-war film in Hiroshima has an affair with a married Japanese architect as they share their differing perspectives on war.
- DirectorLone ScherfigStarsCarey MulliganPeter SarsgaardAlfred MolinaA coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.This film reveals that first experiences--first relationship, first sexual experience--aren't always as ideal as we hope or expect.