Since the early days of cinema, Hollywood has set standards and others have followed in its wake. So when it comes to telling love-stories- either as sugar-coated comedies or as tear-tinged tragedies, Hollywood has always excelled. Here is a selection of 14 mushy, romantic films- just perfect to tune you into your best Valentine- mood on 14th of February!
So here we go on a romantic trip- the Hollywood way!
1. City Lights (1931)
Trust Charlie Chaplin to say something much deeper than the superficial slapstick he is famously associated with. The climax of this silent movie says so much about love. Throughout the movie, Chaplin’s love-struck tramp keeps helping out a blind flower-girl, who mistakenly assumes him to be a millionaire. After getting her vision back, she sees the tattered tramp for the first time without realizing that he is her benefactor. Out of compassion she takes his hand to pass some money and there, that acute sense of touch tells her the story without a word. The expressions on their faces are priceless- without a word being said, the hearts make their love- pact. Simply brilliant!
2. It Happened One Night (1934)
A film that set the formula for many successful romantic comedies, told a story of a hot-headed rich heiress (Claudette Colbert) on the run to find and marry her dream-man and an out-of-work news-reporter (Clark Gable) helping her out to get a sensational story in the bargain. How love enters this equation is a delicious tale full of twists and turns.
3. Roman Holiday (1954)
A young princess (Audrey Hepburn) sneaks out of palace and tries to have a ‘normal’ outing with a changed name. A press reporter (Gregory Peck) sees through her façade and plays along, keeping his journalistic credentials hidden from her.
Kesariya Balam