As Valentine’s Day 2018 is just around the corner, we take a look at some of the best romantic movies of last year. 2017 was the year of big blockbusters and action films, but romance is an evergreen genre which always inspires us, makes us believe in something which each one of us craves. LOVE!
As usual, we at Read Scoops present a list with a little twist. Some of the movies might not be the typical stereotype romantic movies. So, here we are presenting the movies that pushed our boundaries and made us fall in love again:
Mary and Michael are an estranged couple who still live together for the sake of their son. Both are involved in long term affairs and their lovers demand for the couple to part ways. However, an unlikely turn of events lead them to fall for the least likely people imaginable – each other!
This light hearted romantic comedy movie has a brilliant music score to go with the reignited chemistry of the lead pair. Watching them reconnect with themselves makes The Lovers a very good watch.
Starring: Debra Winger, Tracy Letts, Aidan Gillen,, Melora Walters, Tyler Ross
6. God’s Own Country
A young farmer Johnny lives with his father and grandmother in their family farm. Due to his father’s ill health, he has to take care of running the farm by himself. He vents out his frustrations by binge drinking and casual sex encounters. When Gheorghe, a migrant worker is hired at their farm for the lambing season, Johnny finds a new direction to his life.
God’s Own Country is one of the best British movies of 2017 and with the countryside of Northern England as its background, it is visually simple yet beautiful.
Starring: Josh O’Connor, Alec Secareanu, Ian Hart, Gemma Jones
5. Maudie
This is a real life story of folk artist Maud Lewis, who painted in Nova Scotia. This film is shot at the recreation of Lewis’s famous small house.
Maud is an arthritic woman living with her aunt and brother and the memory of her lost child. She moves in with the fish peddler Everett as his housekeeper. She discovers her artistic talent while painting the shelf and thus begins her career as a famous artist. Maud persuades Everett to marry her and despite their differing personalities they form a close relationship. This film offers some breath-taking views which are shot at Newfoundland. Sally Hawkins has given one of her best performance till date in this movie.
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke
4. The Big Sick
Kumail is a Pakistani stand-up comedian who meets American student Emily at one of his shows and they soon develop a romantic relationship. Coming from a traditional Muslim family, Kumail and Emily’s cultures begin to clash. When Emily is struck with a mysterious illness that sends her into a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a strong and emotional bond with her visiting parents.
This movie was one of the highest grossing independent films of 2017; a different yet engaging kind of movie in the romcom genre which is worth watching.
Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher
3. A Ghost Story
Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara play a young passionate couple, known only as C and M. One night the husband dies in a tragic car accident. He becomes a ghost and returns to their house and there he stays forever, as a witness to his wife’s grief.
This movie is all about the grief and how it affects the people we love, a compelling story which is as visually simple and effective as Casey Affleck wearing a white sheet for the majority of the film. An unconventional romantic movie with a title which makes it a horror movie although it will still haunt you in a beautiful yet upsetting way.
Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara
2. The Shape of Water
Director Guillermo Del Toro has said that the screenplay was written with Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon in mind. He said, “Not only she was the first choice, she was the only choice. I wrote the movie for Sally. I wrote the movie for Michael.”
Elisa is a mute woman who works as a cleaner in a secret government facility. When a mysterious amphibious creature is brought to the facility and kept against his will, she forms a unique bond with the creature. She soon realises that the fate and the survival of the creature lies in the hands of the facility and a shady government agent.
The Shape of Water has received widespread critical acclaim and has picked up over a hundred of nominations for various awards including 13 nominations for the Academy Awards. A visually stunning film with mystical elements and a romantic angle which is again, unconventional. This is the second top notch performance by Sally Hawkins after Maudie.
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg
1. Call Me by Your Name
17 year old Elio is spending the summer with his family at their 17th century villa in Italy. Elio’s father invites a handsome doctoral student Oliver at their house to work as his intern. Amid the long summer and the gorgeous surroundings Elio and Oliver discover that they are attracted to each other and thus begins a chapter in their life that they could’ve never imagined.
The most stylish film in our list, it is visually beautiful with some wonderful acting and beautifully shot. A drama that builds up slowly yet engaging. 2017 has been a champion year in terms of movies for the LGBT community and this one is a gem and tops our list.
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar, Esther Garrel
The last movie on this list may not be the ideal description of love for most of us, but ultimately, love is love. We can receive and give love to anyone in this world, regardless of race, caste, gender or age. Gay? So what? Still a human being, right? Hope you liked our list of romantic movies to watch during Valentine’s week 2018. Watch these movies with your loved ones and don’t forget to come back and leave a comment when you’re done!
