Blondie’s Top Five Romances

Romantic movies—while this is by no means my favorite genre, or a genre that I watch often, it is my observation that there are some outstanding films that find their place in this category.

In my actual life, I would never be in danger of being described as a hopeless romantic; it’s just not my style. I tend to shy away from enthusiastic, lavish and rhapsodic shows of affection and gestures. This also seems to spill over into my viewing preferences, which I attribute to my love of the (say it again with me) true and gritty depictions of the human condition. Many times, romances just don’t seem to show that, and run more along the lines of a fairytale. There are, though, a handful that have managed to earn a place in my heart, and here are the top five, in case you need something to watch this fine weekend.

5. “The Man in the Moon” (1991)

Reese Witherspoon’s breakout role as 14-year-old Dani Trant, stole my heart and my tear ducts. I didn’t watch this movie until I was an adult, and at such a young age she was able to accurately portray a first massive crush on someone who just isn’t that interested. The gotcha moment for me is the ending, as her love interest, Court (Jason London) is killed tragically in a tractor accident.

No, I’m not morbid. I don’t enjoy that he dies; that’s the part where the waterworks start. I believe that instead of having the ending that you think is coming—Court realizes his feelings for Dani, and they live happily ever after—the untimely death of what is just all around a good character, demonstrates the swiftness with just how drastically life can be altered, leaving someone with a dream that will now, never happen.

4. “Much Ado About Nothing” (1993)

Directed by and starring the wonderful Kenneth Branagh, comes an adaption of William Shakespeare’s epic tale of deception and jealousy, as well as mischief for mischief’s sake. With a star-studded cast, including Denzel Washington, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Kate Beckinsale and even Michael Keaton, this picture also depicts vindication and forgiveness as a prime theme. Where the beautiful Hero (Beckinsale) is forsaken by her love, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), as the result of a lying and hurtful ruse of immorality thought up by the spiteful Don John (Reeves), the pathway to triumph and happy endings is spotted with laughs and tears, as well as unsuspected characters falling for each other.

This is easily my favorite work of The Bard, and I am here to tell you, it doesn’t matter how many times I watch Claudio give his epitaph at Hero’s grave, I’m bawling even though I know the ending (wink-wink).

3. “Cold Mountain” (2003)

In this civil war set, odyssey type tale, we see our Odysseus character, a man of few words named Inman (Jude Law), fall in love with the beautiful Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman), before being shipped off to the battlefields to fight for the gray. This love of Ada pushes Inman to become a deserter and fights his way back home to Cold Mountain, North Carolina, to be with her, encountering many a character along the way, including the late and great Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a would-be murdering minister.

The thing that really puts the film over the edge for me is Renee Zellweger’s performance as the rough, but lovable, Ruby Thewes. She is so in character that I didn’t realize that it was Zellweger in the role until the fourth time I watched the movie, and even then, I double-checked. Come for the epic love story, and stay for Ruby’s southern twang and refreshing and endearing no nonsense demeanor.

2. “Titanic” (1997)

There is absolutely no way I can make this list without James Cameron’s epic film of love against classism and tradition. Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of the street-wise Jack Dawson, alongside Kate Winslett’s Rose Calvert is a silver screen pairing to be reckoned with—not even Billy Zane could remove them from one another. But most importantly, the genius in this is taking a famous tragedy and making it the setting for a romance that would never be, due to the elephant in the room: class and economic based prejudice.

We all know the story that there weren’t enough lifeboats, and that there was a possible, to lightly put it, questionable protocol as to how those available lifeboats were used. But to add the adrenaline of young, and what seemed to be pure, love that is portrayed to be able to defy the odds, and snatch it away until the end? That is cinematic gold and a boost for the tissue industry.

And I’ll just come out with it. We all know that there was room for Jack on that door, Rose. Just sayin’.

1. “Romeo and Juliet” (1996)

I’ve already said that “Much Ado About Nothing” is my favorite Shakespearian work, so why is it not my number one, yet, “Romeo and Juliet” is? The answer is simple, Leonardo Di Caprio. Yes, he is arguably my favorite actor, but that isn’t the only reason. His take on Romeo Montague was astounding. I have seen many adaptions of this work that just don’t capture the full effect of the youthful naivety and disillusion masquerading as maturity and surety that these two star crossed lovers encountered. When you’re a teenager in love, no one can tell you anything, and it often ends painfully. That’s exactly the picture that Leo conveys. I, myself, remember asking my grandfather if I were going to die after my first real broken heart.

The vision of Di Caprio on his knees, screaming his signature scream, in a pitch that could only belong to him, in tears… that literally looks how heartbreak feels.

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