Star-crossed lovers trope in movies will always hit, as these couples from timeless classics prove.
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The what-ifs of life weigh heavy, but doomed romance tropes in TV and film can definitely make us sob and aww over the beauty of a tragic love story. They’re like that secret tub of ice cream in the back of your freezer—devoted and unconditionally there for you in moments of heartbreak.
Star-crossed lovers? Now that’s a trope that brings a mix of hopeless yearning, chaste far-off gazes, and the bittersweet heartache of being banished from the one you adore. Any love story can be delightful, but these seven movies are true time capsules of what it really means to love without expectations.Â
ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)
Roman Holiday—think of it as your first solo trip to Europe, but with more Rome and less Wi-Fi. The legendary Audrey Hepburn plays the lead role of Princess Ann, a young royal. Bored beyond belief of her princess duties, she decides to embark on a secret adventure as she sneaks out to roam the streets of Rome incognito. Now enters Joe Bradley, an American journalist played by Gregory Peck, whose nose for news is high after being tasked to supposedly interview the princess the next day.
Little did he know, the girl he saw late at night sprawled sleepily in a nearby fountain on his way home from poker with his buddies was actually the princess, and saw the opportunity to catch an exclusive story. But as they buzz through the city on a Vespa with ice cream melting on their wrists and brace for night of dancing, Joe falls for Princess Ann, leading to a tender yet fleeting romance. Together, they give us a love story that makes you want to book the next flight to Italy for summertime and, maybe, just maybe, fall in love for a day.
THE SEA PRINCE AND THE FIRE CHILD (1981)
Produced by Sanrio, the studio behind our beloved Hello Kitty, the enchanting film tells the tale of Prince Syrius of the sea and Princess Malta of the fire, two lovers from opposing elemental realms. Inspired by the classic Romeo and Juliet but with a fantastical twist, their love is as forbidden as it is fervent, because just by their identities and upbringing alone– of being fire and water– their love was destined for tragedy.
Despite this, Syrius and Malta found each other, defying their elemental differences and thus, bridges their worlds. The animation, rich with vibrant hues and delicate details, paints a vivid picture of their struggle and the beauty of their love. All in all, it’s a story about the haunting reality that some love stories, no matter how deep, are simply not meant to last.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)
The Princess Bride is the ultimate Disney-esque fairy tale with a live action story, bringing together romance, adventure, and a hefty dose of wit and comedy. When Westley (Cary Elwes), a humble farm boy, is thought to be lost at sea, Buttercup (Robin Wright), the girl he promised to marry, gets her heart shattered. But as fate would have it, he returns as the dashing Dread Pirate Roberts, and their love story resumes amidst a whirlwind of adventure and failed royal marriages.
Truly, the film has it all: daring sword fights, clever wordplay, and a cast of quirky characters that bring the fairy tale world to life. Directed by Rob Reiner, it’s a reminder that love is an adventure worth embarking on, filled with unexpected twists and turns that make the journey worthwhile. Whether you’re in it for the romance or the humor, The Princess Bride has a little something for everyone, wrapped in a blanket of nostalgia and charm.
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990)
Edward Scissorhands is Tim Burton’s gothic and white Christmas emotional love story. Edward (Johnny Depp) is a humanoid with scissors for hands living in a brooding gothic mansion when he’s suddenly discovered by a mother, Peg Boggs, who was selling Avon products door to door. He’s eventually taken in by her family living in the pastel suburbia just below the mountain from which the dark mansion stands. He falls for Kim Boggs (Winona Ryder) and off they are with romance as fragile and beautiful as a snowflake.
Aside from the obvious otherness of Edward that stands as a barrier between them, Kim also has a jock and controlling boyfriend, making their love unattainable. It’s a hauntingly beautiful story about acceptance and identity, leaving us with the question of what it truly means to belong. Edward’s Scissorhands is a delicate dance of innocence and longing that lingers long after the credits roll.
TITANIC (1997)
We’re diving deep with Titanic, where grand romance meets epic disaster. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jack, a manic pixie dream boy with a talent for the arts and Kate Winslet’s Rose, a young and beautiful socialite entrapped with the pressures of classism, find love aboard the ill-fated ship, defying the class divide with all the fervor of a summer fling that you know has an expiration date.
Their relationship is raw, transformative, and tragically brief, framed by James Cameron’s breathtaking visuals of the sinking ship. Titanic isn’t just a movie; it’s a cultural monument, a visual symphony of love and loss that hits you like a wave every single time. We can’t help but fall for Jack and Rose’s doomed love story, because deep down, we all know there’s a bit of room on that door.
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (2002)
Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love is the cinematic equivalent of a whispered secret. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, it’s a lush, evocative exploration of unspoken desires and restrained passion. Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) are neighbors who discover that their spouses are having an affair. In their shared solitude, they form a bond that’s as delicate as a spider’s web, taut with the weight of what could be.
Their love is subtle, expressed through stolen glances, fleeting touches, and shared noodles, making it all the more poignant. The film’s beautiful cinematography and score wrap you in a red dreamscape of yearning and nostalgia, leaving you pondering over what could’ve been.
A WALK TO REMEMBER (2002)
Grab your tissues, because A Walk to Remember is just like the love letter you sent to someone you just had to let go. Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, it’s the story of Landon Carter, a bad-boy high schooler (Shane West), who falls head over heels for Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), the sweet, religious girl next door.
Their love unfolds simply and tenderly, only to be shadowed by Jamie’s life-threatening illness. The movie’s power comes from its sincerity and emotional depth, portraying a love that’s both transformative and profoundly heart-wrenching. Moore and West bring a vulnerability to their roles, making the characters’ growth and connection believable and so moving, it has become a staple romance for all ages.
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