Valentines Day is going to happen tomorrow whether you are ready for it or not. The upcoming holiday has got love on my mind. I know what your thinking, is it possible that I could be even more romantic than usual? Anyhow the holiday sort of got me thinking about romantic films. No I am not talking about traditional romantic films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Ghost. I am talking about less traditional romantic films. As I am fond of saying “Don’t judge the love”. What follows is a list of some of my favorite non-traditional romantic films.
Billy and Layla
Buffalo 66 (1998) After his release from prison Billy (Gallo) kidnaps teenager Layla (Ricci) and takes her to visit his parents. He instructs Layla to pretend that they are soon to be married. This strange pairing can’t avoid cupids arrow. Also the Bills will always be a terrible football team. I always thought that young Scott looked a lot like young Vincent Gallo and Layla looks a lot like my buddies wife Sarah.
Clarence and Alabama
True Romance (1993) Clarence (Slater) and Alabama (Arquette) are just a couple of love birds on the run. Clarence marries Alabama then steals a bunch of coke from her pimp and heads out to Hollywood, in the hope of making some cash to start a new life together. This film features one of the greatest soliloquies on film courtsey of Dennis Hopper. Other endearing things about this film include Brad Pitt’s excellent performance as Floyd the stoner roommate. The Screenplay was written by Tarantino and was directed by Tony Scott.
Sailor and Lula
Wild at Heart (1990) Sailor (Cage) and Lula (Dern) are in love and on the run from a bunch of crazy killers that Lula’s mom has hired to track them down. Just check out Sailor’s snake-skin jacket in this film, what is not to love? Just so you know what you are getting into this crazy tale of love was directed by David Lynch. Little known fact, this is the last film that I walked out of. My girlfriend at the time completely freaked out and could not handle Willem Dafoe’s performance as super creepy Bobby Peru. I had to wait almost a year to see how the film ended.
Oskar and Eli
Let the Right One In (2008) Oskar (Hedebrant) is living a life of quiet desperation. He is bullied at school and ignored at home. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Eli (Leandersson) at the apartment complex playground. Oskar and Eli slowly fall in love with other despite the fact that Eli turns out to be a blood sucking vampire. This film squeezes in more horror and romance in 115 minutes than the entire Twilight series. I wrote up a full review of this film that you can check out right here.
Mr. Grey and Miss Holloway
Secretary (2002) Mr. Grey (Spader) is a demanding perfectionist lawyer who hires Lee Holloway (Gyllenhaal) to be his secretary. The two initially resist the attraction they feel for each other despite obvious signs of affection. Things take a turn for the unusual when we discover that Mr. Grey likes to punish and Lee enjoys being punished . Scott wrote up a full review of this film that you can check out here.
Well that concludes my ode to off-beat romance films. What other films can you think of that contain slightly unusual romance in them? I will check your responses later as I am off to buy the misses some chocolates and roses.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s a little known fact but that’s almost exactly how me & Mev got together. Sure he was scared at first, but I was gentle and kind. 10 years later? Bliss.
Glad you were able to get Mev to come around to your way of thinking
I am a fan of everyone of those films. Buffalo 66 and Wild at Hear are probably my 2 favorites of the list but True Romance is a close 3rd. Secretary was also pretty good with some real odd scenes.
odd to you maybe Scott
to me not so much
I guess I did not know or want to know that you made your wife act like a horse and put a saddle on her.
Who said she was the one wearing the saddle? Don’t judge the love
Tough love, baby…
I would like to add Mickey and Mallory from Natural Born Killers to your list.
Now that is a good call Mev, don’t judge the love baby
Ohhhhh I cant believe Mev beat me to it! Mickey and Mallory Knox deserve to be on here big time!
Ok. Well, since I cant say that one, I’ll go…Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini in “Blue Velvet”. Hows that?
Blue Velvet also a good call Fogs. Now thats what I call love
Good list! I think I’d add Blue Velvet and Blade Runner to it.
Blade Runner is an excellent call …. is that replicant on replicant love ?
Can’t say I’ve seen any of these… except “Secretary” which weirds me out, lol, but is so psychological interesting that it’s so good..
Shala they are all good flicks as well as being off-beat romances. Hope you get a chance to check them out sometime.
True Love! A total underrated love story in the Women’s world. I guess all the gun play and blood kinda puts a damper on the mood, uh? Well, I love that movie, especially Brad Pitt’s character. He is so funny in that movie.
Secretary, another great movie. It’s different, just like True Love. Honestly with the hype of 50 Shades of Grey, I’m sure a lot of females will accept Secretary as a “love” story.
Happy Valentine’s Day, 3 Guys! Or as I like to call it, Leslie Knope’s Galentine’s Day.
I have seen absolutely none of these films! Zero, caput. I do need to get around to seeing Buffalo 66 though.
Anyways, my picks, off the top of my head: Before Sunrise, Silver Linings Playbook, Amelie, In The Mood For Love, Wristcutters: A Love Story, and The Skin I Live In.
What about Bonnie and Clyde?
On a side note, not to be argumentative, but how is Breakfast at Tiffany’s a traditional romantic comedy? A prostitute who is actually married falls for a kept man? Have you seen the movie?
yeah they never make any romcoms featuring a prostitute
What I was trying to say by traditional, was films that are typically listed on top romantic film lists.
Bonnie and Clyde would be a good addition.
Some seriously good films included here Adam. I’m a fan of them all. I’d really like to see Vincent Gallo’s The Brown Bunny though. Just to see the romance in that one. Apparently it’s rather risqué.
Hmmm I have not seen that one yet Mark, going to add that to my ever growing to watch list.
I love all of these movies! Scott and I are constantly quoting from these to each other, “we’re spaannnning time together”. I would have to add Harold and Maude to the list of offbeat love stories, not pretty but definitely offbeat
Good call Erin on adding that spring/winter romance film to the list.
also like your gravatar pic
Interesting list
Thanks Tim
Love that you included Let the Right One In!!
Chris I was real late to the game with that one. I heard it was real good but I did not realize how good. I still need to see the re-make.
The remake is about 85% as good as the original, some people even prefer it. However, the relationship between the kids is explored even more. Really worth a look.