Ahh.. The Oscars - these awards are so special because they encapsulate the universal emotions of love, betrayal, passion and hope. Sometimes, it does feel like all the oscar winning movies make you want to lock yourself in the bathroom and never come out. But, who says Oscar winning movies have to be necessarily sad and depressing. Here are my top 10 Oscar winning romantic movies. These are classics without an expiry date on them. Enjoy :)
It Happened One Night(1934)- Nominated for 5 and won all 5
The quintessential romantic movie made in 1934, it has everything a die hard romantic would want in a movie. Apparently, this movie didn't do so well financially in the early days, but caught up through word-of-mouth. Also, it has the iconic hitchhiking scene which was later replicated (along with the movie), in Bollywood with
Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi.
TCM Fun Fact: For the rest of his career, Clark Gable would insist on wearing a trench coat in every picture, claiming it was his lucky coat because of the success of
It Happened One Night
Gone With The Wind(1939) - Nominated for 15 and won 8
One of those few film adaptations that had the same quality as that of the book. I'm looking at you Gone Girl *ahem* Made into a movie in 1939, just three years after the book came out, this movie has everything, the effects of war, race, class and of course, love. I, personally love how imperfect and human Scarlett is. And of course, who can ignore Scarlett and Rhett's sizzling chemistry.
TCM Fun Fact: The iconic "Tomorrow is another day" almost didn't make it into the movie. Before Selznick wrote that speech, the film ended with Mammy comforting Scarlett with the line "He"ll come back. Didn't I say the last time? He"ll do it again. I always know. Mammy always knows."
Casablanca(1942) - Nominated for 8 and won 3
A classic war time romantic movie, it has stood the test of time. This movie has something for both men and women. Not to be sexist, but it has guns, gangsters, war and romance. I am not sure if Ingrid Bergman or Bogart ever did another movie together, but I am happy we"ll always have Casablanca. Come on, I had to use it somewhere ;)
TCM Fun Fact: Did you know that "As Time Goes By" wasn't an original song and was not even eligible to be nominated for Best Song in 1943? It was a much older song, written in 1931, for a Broadway Show called Everybody's Welcome.
Annie Hall(1977)- Nominated for 4 and won 1
Who can forget Annie Hall's clothes in this movie. So 70s and so effortlessly french! Question ..Are you even a Fashion Blogger if you don't make Diane Keaton's Annie Hall's references one in a while? Nope.
I love Woody Allen's movies because those are the kind of conversations I would like to have in real life too. It all seems so real and natural. Like, sometimes I wonder if his movies have any real script at all? I digress. This movie is truly a romantic movies because the entire story is about this guy analyzing why his relationship with her failed. Seriously, go give it a watch.
TCM Fun Fact: Did you know that Diane Keaton was born with the surname Hall. She later changed it by adopting her mother's maiden name in order to avoid confusion with another actress named Diane Hall.
The Apartment(1960) - Nominated for 10 and won 5
Any movie that is set in NYC wins my heart. And this movie is no exception. Shirley Maclaine as Fran was in every sense the cliched Manic Pixie Dream Girl.This was before the term was even coined. After realizing that her boyfriend would never leave his wife for her, she overdoses and is taken care of by Jack Lemmon. He falls in love with Fran's carefree approach to life (Manic Pixie Dream Girl much?) and they live happily ever after.
TCM Fun Fact: Movie's Advertising Tag Line : There has never been anything like it - laugh-wise, love-wise, or otherwise-wise!
What are your favourite go-to classic romantic movies to watch?