The idea of love has been a central part of many stories for many generations. Romance movies have since then gained popularity in the community. However, with so many mainstream romance movies, some are bound to slip through the cracks and go unnoticed. Here is a list of some of those movies that have not gotten the praise they deserve:
8. "Liberal Arts"
Liberal Arts is an American comedy-drama film. The second film directed by, written by, and starring Josh Radnor, it tells the story of 35-year-old Jesse (Radnor) who has a romantic relationship with Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), a 19-year-old college student.[4] The film premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in January 2012.[5]
This story is very complex to begin with, but can warm your heart near the end. Starring Josh Radnor and Elizabeth Olsen, these two give off wonderful chemistry, which make it hard to remember the main conflict in the plot.
Where to watch: Netflix
7. "The Last 5 Years"
"The Last Five Years" is a 2014 American musical comedy-drama film starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. Based on Jason Robert Brown's musical of same name, the film is written and directed by Richard Lagravenese.[6]
The film is told using an intercutting time line device; all of Cathy's songs begin at the end of their marriage and move backwards in time to the beginning of their love affair while Jamie's songs start at the beginning of their affair and move forward to the end of their marriage. They cross paths in the center when Jamie proposes.The film premiered on Sept. 7, 2014 in the Special Presentations section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.[7][8] The film was released in select theaters and on video on-demand on Feb. 13, 2015.
This film is great for those who are willing to look at artistic aspects of this movie. Integrating stellar musical performances with aesthetically appealing images. Detailing the relationship from two simplistic perspectives: Man and woman.
Where to watch: iTunes, Amazon Instant Video
6. "TiMER"
TiMER is a 2009 science-fiction romantic comedy film by Jac Schaeffer about a device that counts down to the moment one meets their soulmate.
This film conceptualizes the question of "If you knew when you were going to find your love, would you wear it?" This movie focuses on one woman's viewpoint and her debate on whether to date a guy she might love, or wait until she finds the guy of her dreams.
Where to watch: Netflix
5. "In Your Eyes"
Two seemingly unconnected souls from different corners of the United States make a telepathic bond that allows them to see, hear, and feel the others experiences, creating a bond that apparently can't be broken.
This movie brings a more supernatural look to the way love works. Both main characters can see through each others eyes and are connected by a bond that could potentially lead to their meeting.
4. "Chungking Express"
1994 Hong Kong drama film written and directed by Wong Kar-wai.[3] The film consists of two stories told in sequence, each about a lovesick Hong Kong policeman mulling over his relationship with a woman. The first story stars Takeshi Kaneshiro as a cop who is obsessed with the break-up of his relationship with a woman named May and his platonic encounter with a mysterious drug smuggler (Brigitte Lin). The second stars Tony Leung as a police officer who is roused from his gloom over the loss of his flight attendant girlfriend (Valerie Chow) by the attentions of a quirky snack bar worker (Faye Wong). The film depicts a paradox in that even though the characters live in densely packed Hong Kong, they are mostly lonely and live in their own inner worlds.
This story is for anyone looking for an artistic look on the idea of love. This story is one of the most famous to come out of Hong Kong. It is filled with many memorable quotes and performances by Takeshi Kaneshiro
Where to watch: Online sites
3. "Last Love"
Matthew Morgan, a retired American professor in his 80s, is a widower. He lives in Paris and speaks no French. Since his wife's death, he's marking time. His curiosity is piqued when he meets Pauline Laubie, half his age, a dance instructor. She's also a solitary person but wants the connection of family. She believes she's found that in Matthew, and she attends to him during a hospitalization. When his two adult children arrive from the U.S. to check on their father, they are certain Pauline is a gold digger and she's confounded by the distance between father and children. The daughter heads home, the son remains. Is there any way that Pauline fits in?
This story focuses on the theme of "is it ever too late to love again?" Caine gives a powerful and moving performance as the story's titular character, Matthew. I highly recommend this movie to those who have been looking for a movie to give you hope and determination to break all boundaries of judgement.
Where to Watch: Netflix
2. "Listen to Your Heart" (2010)
Struggling musician Danny Foster (Kent Moran) never dreamed he'd fall in love with a woman who couldn't hear his compositions. But when he meets Ariana (Alexia Rasmussen), a privileged girl who lost her hearing in childhood, he's willing to believe anything's possible. As the young couple's love takes hold, however, Ariana's overbearing mother (Cybill Shepherd) proves to be their most vocal critic.
This story illustrates a tragic love story that can never be fully achieved due to real life obstacles. This movie is really taking real-life issues and perfectly writing how regular people would "make it work," no matter what circumstances arose.
Where to watch: Netflix, on DVD
1. "Awaken" (2012)
Alex's (Corey Sevier) mundane life is changed forever when he has a brief encounter with a mysterious woman named Rachel (Jordan Ladd). His hopes of running into her again are shattered when he learns that she was killed in an accident shortly after they had met. Feeling grief over what could have been, Alex falls asleep…and wakes up in her bed. She kisses him, telling him that she loves him. Alex wakes up from the vivid dream, desperate to find out more about her. Inspired by what he discovers, Alex's incredible journey weaves between dreams and reality in search of true love.
This story really culminates what it means to fall in love, and how to pick up the shattered pieces of lost love. This is my personal favorite independent romance movie of all time. Showing the distance between fantasy and reality and how they can cross each other, relaying the overall message of cherish every moment.
Where to watch: Hulu, on DVD
