Bridges of Madison County(01 of10)
Open Image ModalThe story of a fleeting but passionate affair. Clint Eastwood stars as photographer Robert who, while tracking down the eponymous bridges, stumbles upon farm-bound Francesca (Meryl Streep) whose husband and children are away. Eastwood and Streep depict the blossoming romance through subtle yet poignant performances, but it is the film’s climax – in which the pair decide whether they can ultimately follow their hearts, or their responsibilities - which is the most moving aspect of the film.
The African Queen(02 of10)
Open Image ModalWhen gruff boat driver Charlie (Humphrey Bogart) first crosses paths with the affluent Rose (Katherine Hepburn) in what was then German East Africa, Rose’s good manners barely disguise her unease with Charlie’s unkempt demeanour. Soon though, World War One begins, and the pair are forced to flee together. In one of the classic cinematic examples of mismatched love, they gradually develop feelings for one another as they plot to attack a German warship with Charlie’s vessel.
When Harry Met Sally(03 of10)
Open Image ModalWhen Harry is first acquainted with Sally as he drives her back to New York City after graduation, he purports that a friendship between the two of them is unlikely, not only because they irritate each other with their differing beliefs, but because they are a man and a woman and – as he puts it – “the sex part always gets in the way". Ten years later the pair cross paths and inadvertently test this thesis as they struggle to keep their friendship from becoming something else.
Ali: Fear Eats The Soul(04 of10)
Open Image ModalFilmed in just two weeks by director Rainer Fassbinder, 'Ali: Feat Eats the Soul' is a spectacular portrayal of an unlikely love. In 1970s West Germany, the 60-year-old widowed Emmi is asked to dance by a younger man in a bar – Moroccan mechanic Ali, who barely speaks German. The love that develops between them is shunned by the fearful and prejudiced society they inhabit, but their relationship is revealed to be compassionate and genuine.
As Good As It Gets(05 of10)
Open Image ModalJack Nicholson plays Melvin; an OCD novelist who purposefully antagonises everyone he meets with racist, homophobic, misogynist and generally offensive remarks. When the only waitress at his local restaurant who will actually tolerate him moves away, he is driven to pursue her, and a turbulent love story ensues. Played by anyone else, Melvin would be intolerable – but Nicholson injects a charisma into the role which makes this story of unconventional attraction endearing.
Ghost World(06 of10)
Open Image ModalThora Birch and Scarlett Johansson play socially outcast teenagers Enid and Rebecca in this story of American malaise. The pair respond to a lonely hearts advert as a joke, and spy on their victim Seymour as he waits for his non-existent date. Though he is middle-aged, unattractive and eccentric, Enid feels sorry for Seymour seeks him out. The resulting friendship – which develops romantic undertones – encourages us to look beyond superficial first impressions.
Etermal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind(07 of10)
Open Image ModalJoel (Jim Carey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) are two seemingly incompatible people; Joel is sheepish and emotionally reserved, while Clementine is a spontaneous, volatile extravert. When the two meet, however, they are inexplicably attracted to one another – until bickering and arguing break down their relationship and both undergo a procedure to erase one another from their memories. As we follow the characters through their loss and the bizarre imaginings of their inner minds, we are treated to an unexpectedly endearing love story.
Manhattan(08 of10)
Open Image ModalWoody Allen often takes the mismatched lovers' motif and pushes it to an uncomfortable breaking point. Manhattan exemplifies this, as Allen’s 42-year-old character Isaac enters the most awkward love triangle in cinema history with 17-year old student Tracy and the enthusiastic intellectual Mary. Though he is initially disdainful of Mary’s opinions, their fondness for one another grows, forcing Isaac to reconsider his feelings for his teenage girlfriend. Only Woody Allen could weave such bizarre, convoluted plotlines into something so witty, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.
Harold and Maude(09 of10)
Open Image ModalHarold and Maude are two lovers who are as eccentric as they are different from one another. Harold is obsessed with death; Maude is determined to enjoy every moment of life. Harold lives with his wealthy mother; Maude lives in an abandoned train car. Harold fakes suicide to scare away dates; Maude steals cars for fun. Oh, and did we mention that Maude is more than 50 years older, at 79? Though it bombed upon release, Harold and Maude has become a cult classic and is as hilarious as it is utterly bonkers.
Knocked Up(10 of10)
Open Image ModalAlison (Katherine Heigl) is an ambitious journalists whose career is on the rise, who suddenly finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand with Ben (Seth Rogan). Deciding to keep the baby and work at a relationship with him, she struggles to acclimatise herself to the pot-smoking, benefits-supported Ben - who is trying to start a porn website with his housemates. Though full of amusing comedy vignettes, 'Knocked Up' also manages to tell a relatable, contemporary love story that holds its weight throughout the gags.