My Favourite Romantic Movies Ever
-It’s the season of love this month and as someone who needs no excuse to watch a gentle, romantic movie, I am fully happy to embrace February as a time to watch some of my favourite films.
When the world outside is still a bit grey, cold and dreary, I find there is nothing better than a cosy afternoon or evening, curled up on the sofa under a warm throw, fire on, hot mug of tea by my side, and a gorgeously romantic movie on. Something, funny, charming and with the obligatory happy ending - that glorious moment when two souls meet and skip off into the sunset - not yet progressing to the next phase of their relationship where they’re arguing over who’s putting the bins out on a frosty evening or who forgot to feed the dog!
This list consists of my top romantic movies that are my immediate go-to when I need something soothing & wonderful to watch:
An Affair to Remember
“Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories. We've already missed the Spring”
A love story featuring Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr - I mean do I need to say any more?! If you have never watched this film, then seriously where have you been?! Two of the most beautiful people in the world, fall in love but of course the path to true love never runs smooth…..will they ever be together? Frequently rated in all the Top 100 Movies of all Time lists, much of the dialogue between Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr was improvised and it’s just so sharp, witty and crackles off the screen despite being almost 70 years old. It’s definitely not one to watch with anyone you would prefer not to see you as a big, sob-wracked, nose-pouring, red-eyed watery mess because it is a huge tearjerker but boy, is it wonderful.
Sleepless in Seattle
“What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew was the only someone for you?”
The first of two Meg Ryan movies in this list. The original and the best. And the only movie with a direct Valentine’s setting. Tom Hanks is the widowed father struggling to find love again & Meg Ryan, is engaged to another but with her mind and not her heart. These two will always be a gorgeous combination but add in a beautiful houseboat which immediately makes me want to move onto water and I’m sold. Two lost souls desperately trying to find each other - gosh it’s simply the perfect wintery Sunday movie, tucked up in front of the fire with some chocolates and a cosy throw.
Sense & Sensibility
“I-I’ve come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is, and always will be, yours.”
My favourite Jane Austen novel - the first one I ever read and it has remained a favourite. Add in an Oscar-winning screenplay from Emma Thompson, a stellar cast including Emma herself, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant & Alan Rickman, stunning cinematography which always has me googling locations including Barton Cottage (which yes you can hire for holidays - dreamy location, although sadly, doesn’t look anything like the home of Elinor & Marianne) and it’s a winner. As soothing as a gentle head stroke and being tucked under a cosy duvet, it also has some lovely interiors and last time I watched it over Christmas I found myself taking photos off the TV of antique furniture, panelling and room colours I like, you know, just in case, I sometime find myself decorating a Georgian townhouse and need some ideas! If its a grey weekend and I have some time to myself (rare but does happen once in a blue moon) I will always happily turn this movie on.
Parent Trap
"I made the mistake of not coming after you once, Lizzie. I'm not going to do that again, no matter how brave you are."
I know, I know, some of you may be thinking Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan? In a most romantic movie list? Come on Ellen, but bear with me. It’s the coming back together of Lindsay's separated movie parents, Dennis Quaid and the gorgeous Natasha Richardson that makes me well up every single time. It’s just such a feel good movie with a happy ending that always, always, always brings a tear to my eye and it’s one that all the family can watch. In fact after introducing this movie to my ten-year-old daughter I believe we may have had to watch it five days in a row she loved it so much. And as a recurring theme to a lot of these films in my list, it has incredible houses with delicious interiors - the house in Knightsbridge has the most heavenly decor. Unsurprisingly the film was directed by Nancy Meyers who is so adept at creating the most classically beautiful but cosy homes as the backdrop to her characters stories. If you can watch the ending without a little tear in your eye and a swell of your heart then you are made of much sterner stuff than I.
When Harry Met Sally
“I came here tonight because when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
The second film on my list to feature the wonderful Meg Ryan. This is such a brilliant movie. I’ve always liked it and having watched it again recently it stills stands the test of time. Two college graduates share a road trip to New York. Years later they meet up as their love lives are taking the usual rollercoaster ride of your 20s and 30s but their friendship begins again. Could it be more?? The script is excellent and the chemistry between Meg Ryan & Billy Crystal is wonderful. Even their clothes are all back in fashion, it could have been filmed yesterday. It’s a perfect Valentines movie.
Persuasion
“I Almost Got Married Once. Wentworth Held My Heart.”
The second Jane Austen movie in my list and a recent but firm favourite. Admittedly whilst not one for Jane Austen purists, I am a huge Austen fan and I must admit I really adore this recent Netflix remake of Persuasion with Dakota Johnson. It’s beautifully filmed, and whilst I appreciate some of the language and approach isn’t directly taken from the novel verbatim, for me it really captures the essence of the novel and the relationship between our heroine, Anne Elliott and the dashing Captain Wentworth. I find the leads captivating and in this movie Anne has an indoor pet rabbit - I mean, it’s the stuff of dreams! Supported by a wonderful cast including Richard E Grant, Henry Golding, Cosmo Jarvis & Mia McKenna-Bruce and with a soundtrack by Birdy, I have found myself returning to it again and again when I want a gentle but lovely romance for a cold, grey afternoon in front of the fire. And it’s made me re-read the novel again!
The Slipper & The Rose
You’ll forget every other love story you ever saw or sang to . . . .
A beautiful re-working of the Cinderella story but with an Oscar nominated score by the Sherman brothers (of Mary Poppins fame) who also co-wrote the script. If that doesn’t immediately sell this film to you then I don’t know what else to say? I fell in love with this movie as a child when I would watch it every evening after school and I still will watch it quite happily at any given occasion. A real family film it features brilliant actors, a hilarious script and super wonderful songs as you would expect from the Sherman brothers. And Cinderella’s wedding dress at the end with its endless layers of ruffles inspired my very own wedding dress!
High Society
“..it may interest you to know that our so-called affair consisted of exactly two kisses and one rather late swim both of which I thoroughly enjoyed and the memory of which I wouldn't part with for anything.”
Another favourite from childhood this musical based on The Philadelphia Story is an absolute classic. Watch it for wonderful performances from Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby & Louis Armstrong; with songs from Cole Porter and a series of intertwined love stories at it’s heart. Grace Kelly must choose between three gentlemen, her fiancé, her ex-husband and a journalist sent to cover her society wedding! It was Grace Kelly’s final feature film before coming Princess Grace and fun fact, her very large diamond engagement ring in the film is in fact her very own. Kelly is simply breathtaking to behold in her wardrobe by Helen Rose (who later designed her very famous wedding dress). I think in my head I presumed when I grew up I’d be like Grace Kelly and marry my own Bing Crosby, or Frank Sinatra (Now Mr Rhubarb has many wonderful attributes but sadly a crooner he is not).
There were a couple of films I ever so nearly included but didn't in the end because I don't think I'd ever class them as a strictly romance movie, but I know romance means different things to different people.
Any surprises here, any you would add? Do please let me know. I'd really like to hear from you. Otherwise, I do hope you pick one you haven't seen before, grab that cosy blanket, light that scented candle, make yourself a hot chocolate and snuggle in and watch. I've even put together a Cosy Collection in case you need any extra bits to give you all the cosy feels. Take a look at it HERE
Enjoy!