Traditional is Overrated
Love knows no bounds, even if it’s between a man and an artificial intelligence, a woman and a zombie or pretty much every other kind of oddball relationship out there. Yet, somehow, these films manage to take ridiculous premises such as these and turn them into beautiful cinematic representations of romance and attraction.
#5: “Warm Bodies†(2013)
Death and zombification can’t stop love. “Warm Bodies†follows a zombie named R, who retains his human awareness, as he falls for a human girl named Julie, while gradually coming back to life. A different approach to both the love and the zombie genres, this film takes familiar tropes, such as two lovers on opposite sides of a conflict, and offers a unique, horror-themed spin on them. Hilarious, creepy, and sweet in equal measure, “Warm Bodies†is sure to tickle your funny bone and get your own heart beating again too.
#4: “Her†(2013)
You can’t help who you fall in love with, and Theodore Twombly falls for a most unusual… person. The introverted divorcee comes to have feelings for the intelligent verbal computer operating system. Their voice-only relationship is quite extraordinary and feels remarkably authentic, thanks to great performances by both leads, and the film itself explores themes of human connection and relationships that feel quite relevant in the modern digital age. The dulcet and probably prescient tones of “Her†are thought-provoking and are absolutely worth listening to.
#3: “Punch-Drunk Love†(2002)
Adam Sandler has appeared in plenty of romantic comedies, but none of them have been quite like this one. “Punch-Drunk Love†follows Barry, a lonely man beaten down by his overbearing sisters and desperate for connection. However, when he does finally make a connection, it is soon jeopardized by men trying to extort him for money. Off-beat, melancholy, and quietly funny, “Punch-Drunk Love†is a different take on the usual romantic comedy, thanks to acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson’s slick direction and a more understated performance by its star.
#2: “(500) Days of Summer†(2009)
Chronicling the length of time architect turned greeting card writer Tom is in a relationship with the titular woman, “(500) Days of Summer†may appear to be a typical romantic comedy on the surface, but it subverts many of its tropes. Told in a nonlinear fashion and featuring a strange musical sequence, the film also has an unconventional ending that’ll speak to anyone who’s been in a relationship where the levels of emotional investment and communication weren’t equal. If you’re looking for a romantic film that’s more reflective of reality, you can’t go wrong spending 500 days, or less, with this movie.
#1: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind†(2004)
Love has a way of playing tricks on our memories, but this is something else entirely. Joel meets Clementine on a train… at least that’s what we’re initially led to believe. After the couple breaks up, Clementine pays to have her memories of Joel erased. Joel decides to do the same, but soon finds that he’s not ready to let go of Clementine just yet. Mind-bending, beautifully directed, and heartbreakingly romantic, “Eternal Sunshine†will open your mind and your heart to new possibilities, while entertaining you to boot. What’s not to like?
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Most Realistic Romance Movies.
2:00;
