Valentine’s Day will be here soon. In addition to roses, candy, and dinner, you need some warm, fuzzy movies to watch while you snuggle up with your love. Good love stories provide comedy, romance, and in many cases, a good cry at the expense of someone else’s relationship.
Have a great relaxing date night, while enjoying quality time spent with your loved one by watching these beloved Top Ten Tales of Love:
10 in the golden pond – Watching love transcend decades is a glorious sight. Whether we see it within our own families or in a movie like here, it holds promise for our own relationships. Not only relationships with our spouses, but also with our children. Two movie powerhouses, Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, gave us grace, humor, and reasons to believe in love for life. Seeing the love and admiration between Fonda and his daughter Jane adds credibility to this great and wonderful love story.
9. love is a glorious thing – Determination to be with the one you love: The basic theme of the love story abounds here, spun in a fascinating way between two great actors. Jennifer Jones graces the screen in everything she touches, but watching her with William Holden is riveting. Crossing racial barriers and adultery, this story finds you wanting this couple to overcome everything to be together. I watched it recently and actually cried a lot, just like I had before when I first saw it. Highly recommended. It’s a good hugs and handkerchiefs movie.
8. pillow talk – A great love story doesn’t have to make you cry. This movie with Rock Hudson and Doris Day is the classic comedy full of mistaken identity, love and outright hilarity. Excellent soundtrack, especially the little ditty that reigns throughout the film in several versions! Also with Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter.
7. The store around the corner -James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. This was the inspiration for “You’ve Got Mail” with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. That was fine, but for that matter, as in many cases, nothing better than the original. No internet here, just good old-fashioned letter writing and pen pal life in a quaint little Budapest town at Christmas. You’ll cry in your hot chocolate.
6. the history of philadelphia – All-star comedy that returned Katharine Hepburn to the top after an early career doldrums. Impossible to see how she wouldn’t have. This mini-novel tells the intertwined story of one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest families and the tabloid-filled lives they lead. Splendid dialogue and lots of lovely chemistry throughout the cast provide a “much appreciated” piece of entertainment. With Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart (her Oscar award) and Ruth Hussey.
5. love in the afternoon – May-December romance takes the stage here along with fast life, hijinks, and mistaken identities. Even a case of disappointment can’t stop Gary Cooper from falling in love with the beautiful young Audrey Hepburn. Captivating music also helps to spin this captivating story. The train station scene in this movie features a classic moment that many other romantic movies have tried to duplicate. There has been no other to achieve the emotion that this film evokes.
Four. it happened one night – What do you get with an heiress on the run from an engagement and a hungry reporter trying to capture the story of the year? One of the best romantic comedies to ever hit the screen. Filled with risky yet now classic moments for the 1930s, this film warms the heart as you laugh. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert were a great couple.
3. White House -Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. This is the story that has it all for everyone. War, intrigue, suspense, game, song, romance, and of course Paris.
two. The Bridges of Madison County -Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. I didn’t think the movie would make me cry as much as the book, but it does. It is a love you must keep in your heart for the rest of your life, but as you pass on the legacy of this love to his children after his death, it makes understanding his power that much easier. somehow.
1. wuthering heights – Sir Lawrence Olivier and Merle Oberon. The story of Heathcliff, Cathy and the Wind of the Moors. Classic story of the heavy heart and literally eternal love. The supreme tear gas. I still remember many years ago in college when some of my classmates and I went to an old movie theater in town showing this movie. After the lights came up at the end of the movie, almost all of us in the audience continued to sob. (We also laughed with embarrassment). It’s beautiful and perfect for snuggling up on Valentine’s Day. It will give you the gratitude of knowing the love in your life, always.
The original list of my top picks that I compiled was very long, but I also want to mention a few more for you to consider:
desktop game – Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy’s lovely chemistry throughout the film, especially in the library loft, gives me chills every time I watch it. They couldn’t have hidden it even if they tried.
brief encounter -Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. Considered the love story of all love stories. Obviously, there is something that tugs at the heartstrings about watching stories of unrequited love or, in this case, seeing love blossom between those who have already spoken to each other. Written by Noel Coward and moving along to Rachmaninoff’s glorious soundtrack, there’s no stopping the tears at the end of this film.
legends of the fall – Brad Pitt, the west, war and unrequited love. He grabs at least two boxes of tissues.
when harry met sally – one of my all time favourites… Women and men can be friends. However, these two were destined for love, period.
gone With the Wind – my best film… but at four hours, it seemed a bit long to mention it in the top 10. But don’t miss it… romance, war, passion, Scarlett and Rhett…
titanic -Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It’s pretty long too, but it’s the quintessential romantic tragedy. We all know the story, but no other film version captured the romance and despair like this one. Coupled with the Celine Dion crescendo in the theme song and the never-ending story that continues (excuse me) through the necklace, you’ll still be crying the next day when the song hits the radio. It always has airplay this time of year!
Be sure to get them in time for your Valentine’s Day celebration or anytime you want to spend a glorious date night with your significant other!