There's nothing like a romantic comedy to cheer us up and make us smile and dream at the same time. But inspiration can be hard to come by when you've seen "When Harry Met Sally" or "My Best Friend's Wedding" for the 20th time. With Valentine's Day just a few days away, here are a few suggestions for curling up in a blanket, whether alone, with your significant other or, better still, with friends.
Pride and Prejudice
Adapted from Jane Austen's book of the same name, Pride and Prejudice takes us back to 19th century England as we follow Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley), the second of five girls. Her mother, Mrs. Bennet, only has one goal in life: to marry off her five daughters to respectable and wealthy men. The arrival of Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) and Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) not far from the Bennet house is a golden opportunity. Still, Elizabeth's heart is much harder to conquer than it seems.
Dirty Dancing
This classic romantic comedy combines dancing and love. Frances (Jennifer Grey), nicknamed Baby, is the daughter of a well-to-do family. In 1963, she spends the summer at the Kellerman resort, during which time she meets Johnny (Patrick Swayze), a dance teacher. He not only teaches her beautiful choreography, but he also introduces her to another world, that of people from a lower social level. Finally, Baby will experience her first love story.
Notting Hill
This film is the quintessential romantic film, two people who have nothing in common meet by chance and a beautiful story ensues. Anna (Julia Roberts), a Hollywood actress, meets Will (Hugh Grant), a bookseller in Notting Hill. They fall in love at first sight, but their relationship is fraught with problems. Despite its cartoonish nature, we never tire of seeing this iconic couple do everything they can to finally be together.
Mamma Mia!
Combining Abba's songs with a funny and beautiful love story is the essence of Mamma Mia! Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is about to get married to Sky, the love of her life, on the beautiful Greek island of Kalokairi. But one detail prevents Sophie from being truly happy: she doesn't know who her father is. So she sends an invitation to three men that her mother (Meryl Streep) knew when she was young. Undoubtedly one of them is her father? Her mother, who knew nothing of the invitations, must dive back 20 years with these three men still in love with her.
The Great Gatsby
Join us as we venture back to the 1920s when all the parties were filled with the sounds of jazz and bootleg alcohol that flowed freely. Jay Gatsby is a young and very mysterious millionaire. He regularly throws incredible parties at his house, but hardly anyone sees him. He befriends Nick Caraway, an apprentice writer, who discovers an implausible story between his wealthy friend and his cousin, Daisy, who is married to a philandering man.
Love Actually
The Christmas love story. Every year, Love Actually brings together nine beautiful stories of love and friendship. From a Prime Minister and writer who each fall in love with a staff member to the best man at a wedding who wishes he was the groom. The stories intertwine and come to a happy ending on Christmas Day.
Love & Other Drugs
Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a young, attractive, pharmaceutical salesman who wreaks havoc with the female population. Only one woman can resist his charms, meet Maggie (Anne Hathaway), who has early-onset Parkinson's disease and lives from day to day shunning emotional commitment. After a one-night stand, they find that they have a hard time staying away from each other.
Love Me If You Dare
The love story between Julien (Guillaume Canet) and Sophie (Marion Cotillard) begins with a simple game created when they were children. Each of them takes turns to give a token to the other. Over the years, a game meant to be childish becomes much stronger, much more complicated, and much more beautiful.
The Holiday
Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet) swap homes for the holidays. Amanda, a wealthy advertising agency executive, finds herself living in a small, unpretentious cottage in England. Amanda, a tabloid editor, finds a luxurious home in Los Angeles. Both disgusted with men, they want to take advantage of their holiday to recharge their batteries until love comes knocking at their door.
Revolutionary Road
When they get married, Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet) promise each other that they will live life to the fullest. They want to be a different kind of couple, far from the well-ordered family models. But over the years, Frank comes to hate his job, while April becomes the housewife she refused to be. One day, she decides to leave everything behind and move to Paris.