This one goes out to all the romantic geeks inside of us all. Because there’s a time when a romantic comedy just seems like the perfect plan. And they’re not all goofy and embarrassing. Some of them are actually incredibly inspiring, giving and endearing. But I won’t offend the movie critic in you. This list is for the ones with a really high-end, I promise: 5 romantic comedies for the elitist in you.
# 5.The Graduate
This is Benjamin. He’s a little worried about his future. This is the motto for this incredible 1967 movie starring young and charming Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross. This movie is a biting satire-comedy about a shy and clumsy, East Coast college graduate who finds himself alienated and adrift in the shifting, social and sexual mores of the 1960s, while also questioning the values of society he was brought up in. One of the characters of this movie is the famous Mrs. Robinson, while the soundtrack, by Simon and Garfunkel, features the famous song, especially written for this film. Now we know who the famous Mrs. Robinson really is. You should check her out. She’s incredible.
# 4. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Based on Truman Capote’s 1958 short novel, the 1961 film is the story of a woman on her own making her way in the big city. Capote reportedly didn’t like Hepburn at all for the main character of his story, Holly Golightly. Nevertheless this is one of the parts Audrey Hepburn has become iconic for. The movie is funnier than the book, therefore succeeding in making the serious problems seem even more serious and touching. It’s a bit quirky, but definitely worth seeing. The characters will simply mesmerize you. Here’s a great Holly Golightly tip for all the ladies out there: “You could always tell what kind of a person a man thinks you are by the earrings he gives you.”
# 3. Harold and Maude
Well this is something you haven’t seen before, that’s for sure. It’s the story of a rich young boy obsessed with death, who spends his days going to strangers’ funerals. But one day he meets 79-year old Maude, with whom he shares the same strange passion. Together, they begin a bizarre yet strangely awesome relationship. However both characters, strange as they may seem, make complete sense within their worlds, and it’s incredible to watch them find and accept each other for exactly who they are.
# 2. Annie Hall
No matter how charming Woody Allen’s movies usually are, this one is definitely number 1, against all odds. It defies classical cinema conventions, for example the camera is not the quiet witness no one ever looks at. It’s a retrospective journey in the love affair between neurotic comedian Alvy Singer and singer Annie Hall, his last great love. The film is just filed with witty conversations, and Diane Keaton is absolutely gorgeous with her androgynous clothes and hipster attitude. Annie Hall is more of a general commentary on love. Despite love and good intentions, some relationships just can’t work.
# 1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
This Michel Gondry–Charlie Kaufman romantic-sci-fi stands on the belief that painful memories of lost loves can be scientifically erased; the genius twist is that this must happen backwards, from the latest memories to most distant. Jim Carey is incredible in this movie as he detaches from the lost-and-gone-forever Clementine, played by Kate Winslet, and no one would ever hesitate taking him seriously after seeing this. Some say that Alexander Pope inspired Kaufman when writing this film. Well we don’t really know that, we can only assume, but here’s what Pope had to say about this same matter tackled in the movie: “How happy is the blameless vestal’s lot!/ The world forgetting, by the world forgot./ Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!/ Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d.”
In other words, if you watch these movies you’ll have a lot to gain, as they are really cult romantic stories of their times. They have nothing to do with ease, stupid humor and shallowness.
