From Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, the chemistry of these on-screen couples make their movies great to watch on a date.
Michael Curtiz’s Casablanca
This timeless romance between Rick and Ilsa is a sweeping, dramatic ride. This 1942 film, directed by Michael Curtiz, is an epic that takes place early during World War II, and it develops the story of two people with a romantic past. They proceed to have a complicated and heartbreaking reunion.
Richard Curtis’s Love Actually
Several interconnected stories about relationships are woven together in this humorous and heartfelt film. While there is at least one plot line the movie would likely be better without, most of the stories are touching with at least a few laughs in store, as well. This 2003 movie was directed by Richard Curtis and stars an ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson.
Nick Cassavetes’s The Notebook
Even for those who are not fans of Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook might be worth watching. It is one of the rare movies that is arguably better than its original source. The young stars, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, have intense chemistry and do a wonderful job in the film.
While the ending (at the very least) of this 2004 Nick Cassavetes-directed film may be too sentimental for some, the movie has many redeeming qualities. The costumes are beautiful, the cinematography is great, and most importantly, there is a complicated mess of a love triangle, just like there is at the center of so many great romances.
Joe Wright’s Atonement
Atonement is a great novel, written by Ian McEwan, which was adapted into a gorgeous film. Joe Wright directed the 2007 movie, which stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy who both deliver strong performances. The two have wonderful chemistry, as well, which only accentuates the movie’s wonderful narrative. This movie is serious, with a deep, painful love story at its core.
Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice
Two years before Atonement came out, Joe Wright and Keira Knightly worked together on the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. Just as beautiful as Atonement in cinematography, Pride & Prejudice has more humor and is a much happier story overall. Matthew Macfadyen also stars in the film, playing the role of Mr. Darcy.
Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire
Although what most people remember about Jerry Maguire is its dialogue, “you had me at hello,” and “show me the money,” for example, there is a realistic love story that might get passed over. Tom Cruise, the struggling sports agent, becomes involved with Renée Zellwegger, a single mom who decides to become his assistant. The characters are not particularly tragic, but their believable vulnerability makes them relatable. Cameron Crowe directed this 1996 film.
While these six films are extremely different, they all have the common thread of a stand-out love story. Whether in the mood for a sweeping, tragic tale or a light-hearted feel-good comedy, there are plenty of date-night movies to choose from.
IMDb. Internet Movie Database. 2009. 24 Aug. 2009 www.imdb.com.
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