Top 5 Love Films
As an apology for the lack of blog posts as of late, I thought it best to come back with another top 5 post, as they seem to be the most popular pages. This week I'm giving a run down of my top 5 favourite love films of all time. Love films have always been one of the more popular genres of movie, they can provide escapism through fairy tale-like romances, make us laugh with the classic rom-com, or relate to us through emotionally complex narratives and realistic situations. Either way, love films can appeal to people of all ages and genders, making it a universally adored genre. Here are my top 5 favourites, if you don't agree, feel free to comment below. Enjoy!
#5 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Charlie Kaufman penned Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is quite simply one of the most inventive and original love films ever made. Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey play strangers who fall in love, only to have their memories erased when their relationship crumbles. It's difficult to explain what happens next, suffice to say that there are a lot of deep themes and confusing plot twists that manage to keep you engaged right til the very end. The stunning cinematography, brilliant performances from both Winslet and surprisingly, Jim Carrey, along with the quirky yet powerful script make this a film that anyone seeking a new and original love film should watch.
#4 Breathless
Jean Luc's French New Wave classic Breathless is a crime-thriller, yet the action revolves around a relationship between the small time thief Michel and his love interest Patricia. It's a film that manages to stay away from the schmaltzy and corny Hollywood sweeping romance films, and instead depicts the two characters as realistically as possible. One of the best scenes in Breathless is the near 30 minute conversation the couple have while just sat in a bedroom, clearly the inspiration behind many contemporary art house love films such as the Before Sunset/Rise/Midnight films. This realist love film concept introduced by French New Wave cinema is further enhanced through the filming style, which is all shot on handheld cameras to further heighten the documentary style of realism. By the end of Breathless, a powerful bond has been created between the two, which makes the iconic climax powerful and affecting. A must watch for fans of European cinema.
#3 Brokeback Mountain
Ang Lee's modern classic Brokeback Mountain is surely one of the best depictions of a relationship on film. The film is quiet, tender and subtle and in no way melodramatic or cheesy, which was a refreshing change to the genre when it was released. The film depicts the relationship between two cowboys played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger over a span of several years. Due to the homosexual nature of the relationship, the film received a fair amount of controversy on release, which was soon silenced when the film won numerous awards and nominations for best picture. Both the late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal provide Oscar worthy performances, and the supporting cast including Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway are again wonderful to watch. The emotions displayed in Brokeback Mountain are universal, anyone who is or has been in love can relate to it, the understated and raw emotional intensity on offer here makes it a film that everyone should see.
#2 Revolutionary Road
This Sam Mendes film tackles the issues facing couples living in 1950's suburban America. It's a film that asks questions about the American Dream, family dynamics and the decay of a relationship. The film revolves around April and Frank, a couple with two children who are unhappy with their lives and try to find a way to escape the treadmill while keeping their family together. It becomes apparent during the film that Mendes is commenting on the way in which the American life traps its victims in a vicious circle, and how that can impact on relationships and families. While this is not a film to watch snuggled up to your partner on a rainy day, it is a must watch for anyone who enjoys something more from a love film.
#1 Lost In Translation
Lost in Translation is one of my favourite films of all time, and will be a film that stays with me forever. It follows film star Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and neglected wife Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) as they form a bond while crossing paths in Tokyo. The film is the definition of love, it is tender, sweet, funny and emotional, while never falling into the cliched traps of the genre. Director Sofia Coppola is a master of the mood piece, and this is no exception, the use of music and on location shooting give the film a melancholic and dreamlike feeling, while at the same time staying down to earth and heartwarming. The bond between Bob and Charlotte is created using subtle body language and unspoken feeling, which is all held up by a fantastic script that manages to be laugh out loud funny and moving at the same time. By the end of the film you will be in tears no matter what your age or gender, this is a film for everyone, a film that explores the emotions of real human beings rather than the prince charming fairy tale that so many Hollywood pictures attempt to create.
I know some people will be outraged at the lack of 'Classics' in this list, but this is just my personal opinion, feel free to comment below if you disagree. Thanks for reading!
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