The 1990s spawned a number of love movies and trends that are still memorable today. The 21st century has also produced some hits which we’ll still be talking about in 20 years’ time.
Here’s our pick of 5 of the best modern love movies:
Brokeback Mountain
Set in 1963, there is no doubt that Ang Lee’s western melodrama had a great impact on modern cinema. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal gave powerful performances as gay men who can’t express their love for one another. The 2005 film broke new ground for mainstream films with gay-themed love stories.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Although the curvier Renee Zellweger got some flak for her less-than-perfect accent, the movie was a commercial success. The film’s storyline which centres on the love struggles of a woman in her thirties living in London resonated well with new 21st century women of the time, who found themselves sharing Bridget’s struggles with self-love and boy trouble.
The Notebook
The 2004 release of The Notebook officially signified the resurgence of the weepie. Although there have been other adaptations, the Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams version was a worldwide commercial success and a hit with audiences.
It tells the story of a poor and passionate young man who falls in love with a rich girl. Despite being polar opposites, these obvious soulmates find their way back to each other even after years apart.
And the ultimate certified “one-of-the-best-love-movies” factor? The fact that Noah (Gosling) kept this notebook for Allie (McAdams) and read it to her every single day after she developed Alzheimers, even on the days she didn’t recognise him.
Slumdog Millionaire
This 2008, Danny Boyle-directed sleeper hit based on the conflicted streets of Mumbai in India is a romantic and harrowing underdog’s tale of triumph and true love. Culminating in one of cinema’s most euphoric feel-good endings went on to win 8 Academy Awards in 2009.
The Proposal
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds gave life to this “boss-from-hell-type-forces-her-underling-into-a-green-card-marriage” storyline, making it fun, with great comedic timing.