Romance blossoms in these 10 films

(WISH) — What are some of the best romance films from the past 10 years? La La Land, Silver Linings Playbook, and Les Misérables immediately come to mind, all box office and awards successes.  

Spend some quality time with your loved one for Valentine’s Day or even your closest gal pals for Galentine’s Day by cozying up and watching one of these films: 

2018 – Cold War 

This contender at the 91st Academy Awards in three categories (Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Foreign Language Film) tells a familiar “Romeo & Juliet-esque” story: two people with opposing backgrounds fall in love amidst a crisis and must hide their unrequited love, based on director Pawel Pawlikowski’s parents’ journey. 

Zula (Joanna Kulig) is a conniving, aspiring singer/dancer auditioning to be a chorus member in conductor Wiktor’s (Tomasz Kot) latest production. It’s love at first sight for Wiktor as he casts Zula, and the connection is instantaneous.

Their love is overshadowed by the aftermath in Poland following World War II and seek a better life together in the West. 

Cold War is now in theaters and will begin streaming on Amazon Prime on March 22. 

2017 – The Big Sick
Another film based on a true love story sees actor Kumail Nanjiani recreating his own journey and co-writing the screenplay alongside his wife, Emily V. Gordon. 

Uber driver/comedian Kumail meets Emily (Zoe Kazan) at one of his standup shows, as she uniquely heckles the comedian with positive affirmations. One thing leads to another, and a romance commences.

However, Kumail’s parents seek on setting him up with a fellow Pakistani woman, but he doesn’t want an arranged marriage like they had. Shortly following an argument leading to their breakup, Emily becomes sick and is placed in an induced coma.

Kumail must deal with Emily’s sickness alongside her unapproving parents (Ray Romano and Holly Hunter) at the hospital. 

The Big Sick is now streaming on Amazon Prime. 

2016 – Loving
What lengths would you go for love? It’s hard to believe it was only 52 years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned state laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Richard and Mildred Loving’s inseparable love brought this issue to the forefront. 

Richard (Joel Edgerton), a white construction worker, immediately falls for Mildred (Academy Award-nominated Ruth Negga), a black family friend. Knowing interracial marriage is illegal in their home state of Virginia, they drive to Washington, D.C. to tie the knot.

Shortly after, the Lovings are arrested because the marriage license is not valid in Virginia. Richard and Ruth will go through leaps and bounds to change history and be together forever. 

2015 – Brooklyn
This feel-good, Best Picture-nominated drama stars Saoirse Ronan and is adapted from Colm Tóibín’s novel of the same name. 

Ellis (Ronan) is unsatisfied with her life in Ireland – she cannot find full-time employment, working part-time for an ungrateful shop owner, and she isn’t interested in any of the men.

Her sister, Rose, (Fiona Glascott) takes action by arranging Ellis’ journey to Brooklyn, New York, where she will live in a boarding house with fellow young women and work at a local department store.

She becomes homesick, but things quickly turn for the better when she meets Tony (Emory Cohen), an Italian plumber, at a dance. Will Ellis choose her blossoming romance with Tony in Brooklyn or will she return home to be with her mother and sister? 

2014 – The Last Five Years
One of the most gratifyingly unique film experiences of my life occurred on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 when The Last Five Years was quietly released on VOD (video on demand). 

Cathy (Anna Kendrick) and Jamie’s (Jeremy Jordan) story is told in a non-linear narrative: the film opens with Cathy’s story told in reverse chronological order, beginning with the couple’s breakup, and Jamie’s story is told chronologically, beginning with their first encounter.

The stories intertwine in the middle on their wedding day, and then, continue going in opposite directions. 

The Last Five Years is based on Jason Robert Brown’s musical and is completely sung through. It may be difficult to follow in its first watch, but multiple viewings and listening to the infectious songs will grow your love for this highly-underappreciated film. 

The Last Five Years is now streaming on Netflix. (The film made its premiere at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, which is why I chose it as 2014’s romantic film)

2013 – Enough Said
Esteemed television actress, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ (Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veep), last feature film was Nicole Holofcener’s romantic comedy based partly on her own life, co-starring the late James Galdolfini (The Sopranos), who passed away from a heart attack nearly a year after filming but before the film was released. 

Eva (Louis-Dreyfus), a divorced mother of a teenage girl, separately meets two people at a party: Marianne (Catherine Keener) and Albert (Gandolfini). She comes to find out they were previously married and must keep this knowledge to herself to maintain both relationships. 

2012 – The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The “coming-of-age” genre is a favorite of mine because most of the film is portrayed through emotional growth rather than action. Author Stephen Chbosky directed, wrote, and produced the adaptation of his 1999 novel. 

Charlie (Logan Lerman) struggles with clinical depression and is nervous about beginning high school. He immediately bonds with his English teacher (Paul Rudd) but struggles to fit in with his classmates.

Trying to break out of his shell, Charlie attends a football game and meets Sam (Emma Watson) and her step-brother, Patrick (Ezra Miller). The three form an inseparable bond to tackle all that life throws at them through the rest of the school year. 

2011 – The Artist
Is it possible for a Best Picture winner to be included on my list of lesser-known romantic films? This black-and-white, silent film won five of its 10 nominations at the Academy Awards but seems to sadly get overlooked for today’s buzzier, action-heavy films. 

George (Academy Award-winning Jean Dujardin) is one of the most successful silent film stars in the late 1920s when Peppy (Academy Award-nominated Bérénice Bejo) accidentally bumps into him at the premiere for his latest film.

She becomes an overnight sensation as the tabloids cover their initial meeting, and George helps Peppy score her first role as an extra in his next production. With the approaching revolution of the “talkies,” George’s stardom falls as Peppy’s rises. 

2010 – Blue Valentine 
One of the most heartbreakingly raw depictions of love on screen in recent memory is Derek Cianfrance’s independent drama that shows the many highs and lows of a married couple over several years. 

Dean (Ryan Gosling), a high school dropout, and Cindy (Academy Award-nominated Michelle Williams), a pre-med student aspiring to be a doctor, cross paths and begin a relationship following their second encounter. 

There isn’t too much more to say without spoiling major plot details, but if you’re searching for an exceptionally-acted, real-life drama, look no further. 

Blue Valentine is now streaming on Netflix. 

2009 – (500) Days of Summer
Like the previously-mentioned The Last Five Years, this romantic comedy follows a non-linear narrative, jumping around the various days of Tom and Summer’s relationship. 

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets his boss’ new assistant, Summer (Zooey Deschanel) in what begins as a strictly-platonic relationship. Sparks begin to fly as they grow closer. 

You begin knowing how it ends but the happy-go-lucky nature of their relationship will keep you entertained through this instant rom-com classic.