After Guardian writers shared their picks for big screen love stories people may not have seen, readers have responded with some alternative optionsIt’s a long time since I saw it, and it’s one of those films I’ve been unable to rewatch after a first viewing in case it disappoints. The…Love Me If You Dare It’s a long time since I saw it, and it’s one of those films I’ve been unable to rewatch after a first viewing in case it disappoints. The way they keep upping the ante as the movie progresses struck me as completely perfect at the time. CreatureAdam Maurice A lovely period piece love story that will appeal to both gay and straight audiences. LeBonChien The Truth About Cats & Dogs A somewhat forgotten 90s romcom which is Cyrano retold in 90s LA. Brit Ben Chaplin is a delightfully incompetent owner of a large dog who mistakes Uma Thurman’s producer for Janeane Garofalo’s radio presenter of a pet advice radio phone-in. Garofalo and Chaplin completely steal the film – I do wish people had given her more roles after it – and it’s touching, silly and (I’ve discovered over the years) a film for people like me who don’t really like romcoms or romantic films in particular. Rothko06 Two for the Road It’s a bittersweet dramedy on a 12-year marriage that jumps back-and-forth in time. Funny and sad, trusting and betrayal, indifferent and loving … in other words a realistic take on marriage. If you’ve never seen it, see it. If you’ve seen it, see it again. It’s more than worth the journey. RomanClay Palm Springs Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti in a plot that’s basically “Groundhog Day, but with someone else”, but it turns out you can do some nice stuff with that. Also it’s pleasingly self-aware that we all know how the basic Groundhog Day idea works, so it gets all the “wait – this all happened yesterday!” stuff out of the way with admirable efficiency. Jebedee What If A romcom with Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan that is both romantic and funny, something that so many “romcoms” don’t actually manage … what a lovely film it is. Kevcoe Lonely Hearts Even though it was an AFI best picture winner, Paul Cox’s Lonely Hearts seems sadly forgotten these days, but it still keeps this heart warm as the years roll on. That it captures a Melbourne completely gone in all but memory just adds to its wonder, as does the incandescently beautiful Wendy Hughes, playing the impossible role of a plain-Jane. A film filled with gentleness … a rare quality. Bobbski White Palace I’ve always had a soft spot for the 1990 film White Palace with Susan Sarandon and James Spader, justifying that opposites do attract. The final scene in the restaurant, is just single minded loveliness. Aubrey26 The Russia House One of my favourites is the romance in The Russia House between Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer, which was grounded, refreshing and human – his disheveled, boozy, and vulnerable middle-aged publisher begs the affection of Pfeiffer’s cautious Soviet mother – the world-weary nature of their characters mean the age gap wasn’t so significant. The film score is Jerry Goldsmith’s masterpiece – smoky and bittersweet with Slavic textures. shakercoola The Bitter Tea of General Yen I’d nominate Frank Capra’s The Bitter Tea of General Yen with Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther. Despite casting a Swede as a Chinese man, it says a lot about racism as well as being as bittersweet as the title. bystrousky Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is a great romantic film. To set the scene: he, somewhat socially awkward, is the professor’s favourite pupil, she the professor’s daughter. On the day of her marriage, the groom and his family are killed in a tragic off-screen accident as they make their way to the wedding. She is devastated because it is a love marriage not an arranged one. Her father is so stressed by it all he has a heart attack and before he dies he asks his star pupil to marry his daughter so that she won’t be left fending for herself after he has died. Reluctantly they agree to marry. What follows is the story of how their relationship grows and develops, as they learn to understand each other. d33pf1x Only You Only You, has a young Robert Downey Jr opposite the always fabulous Marisa Tomei having a start-stop a romance in Italy. Directed by Norman Jewison, it has all the charm and warmth, delivered with a delightful lightness of touch of the old school Hollywood romcoms. MrJoeSpangles Nelly and Mr Arnaud I first saw Nelly and Mr Arnaud on TV in the late 90s and that rather gentle take on a virtual romantic relationship without the love or intimacy, left an impression on me to this day. It’s interesting how a French film can have themes of subtle suggestion, class and unrequited love which bring to mind Jane Austen novels. hubbahubba --- Original source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/17/readers-favourite-lesser-known-movie-romances
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