Are you a fan of romance films from eras gone by?
AsHelena Bonham Carteronce said, “Period movies are my destiny.
After all, it was their whirlwind romance that forever changed how we look at fogged-up windows.
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in ‘Carol’; Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in ‘Pride & Prejudice’; Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in ‘Titanic’.Credit:Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection; Alex Bailey/Working Title/Kobal/Shutterstock; Courtesy Everett Collection
So, 2005’sPride & Prejudiceis the clear favorite to represent Jane Austen’s classic 1813 novel.
This adaptation fromJoe Wrightstars Keira Knightley as the ever-defiant Elizabeth Bennet andMatthew Macfaydenas the moody Mr. Darcy.
The first one on our list directed byJames Ivoryand produced by Ismail Merchant isA Room With a View.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in ‘Titanic’.Merie Weismiller Wallace/Paramount
AsLee put it himself, “Sense and Sensibility, but with kick-ass.”
“…[It] subtly skewers the absurd rules and hypocrisies of class.”
The older versions of their characters are played to a full-on sobbing effect byJames Garnerand Gena Rowlands.
Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in ‘Pride & Prejudice’.Alex Bailey/Focus
Romance ensues, obviously.
You just have to decide if you’re more of aWinona RyderandChristian Baleperson or a Saoirse Ronan andTimothee Chalametfan.
Jane Austen’s novelEmmawas adapted in 1996 withGwyneth Paltrowin the title role, andagain in 2020starringAnya Taylor-Joy.
Greg Wise and Kate Winslet in ‘Sense and Sensibility’.Clive Coote
The book also inspiredClueless, which is more of a time capsule of 1995 than a period piece.
Where to watchEmma(1996): Paramount+ With Showtime
Where to watchEmma.
TheFranco Zeffirelliversion ofRomeo and Julietis a classic maybe you watched it in school at some point?
Julian Sands and Helena Bonham Carter in ‘A Room With a View’.Merchant Ivory/Goldcrest/Kobal/Shutterstock
and starsLeonard WhitingandOlivia Husseyin the title roles.
But their love affair is far from over.
What more is there to say?
Noémie Merlant and Adéle Haenel in ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’.Lilies Films
Where to watchThe Age of Innocence: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
Moulin Rouge!
(2001)
Courtesy Everett Collection.
No period romance has ever been quite so “spectacular, spectacular!”
Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’.Moviestore/Shutterstock
- Where to watchMoulin Rouge!
Amazon Prime Video (to rent)
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