Not all romances end in true love’s kiss. Just like dark chocolate, here are a few romantic comedies that leave you with a touch of bitterness.
A Walk to Remember
Rated: PG-13; Runtime: 1h 41 min. The cast includes Mandy Moore, Shane West, and Peter Coyote.
This film leaves you with the same aching feeling as The Notebook, but intersperses the heart-wrenching moments with the lighter side of teen love. With the premise of a “play within a play”, Mandy Moore and Shane West shine two times over as we watch them grow up and grow close.
The Break Up
Rated: PG-13; Runtime: 1h 46 min. The cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, and Joey Lauren Adams.
You would think a rom-com about a breakup would be tragic all the way through, but the exes/roommates situation they find themselves in makes for an entertaining watch. Jennifer Aniston is a rom-com goddess, and her chemistry with Vince Vaughn is palpable. This film takes you through all the ugly moments of a longterm relationship falling apart, and the many “let’s get back together” trials that come along with it. Every time you watch this film, you might find yourself wishing it had a different ending, but at the same time, it brings meaning to the saying “right person, wrong time”.
A Little Bit of Heaven
Rated: PG-13; Runtime: 1h 46 min. The cast includes Kate Hudson, Gael Garcia Bernal, Kathy Bates, Peter Dinklage, and even Whoopi Goldberg as ‘God’.
This is a film to revisit over and over, despite it’s sad ending. Marley has such a lust for life, and it’s really tested by her limited time. Watching her tackle her intimacy issues and deflection through humor with the help of Julian, her doctor, makes for a very entertaining watch. There is so much vibrancy and feel-good moments, that leave you wistful by the end. Much like the characters in the film, you as the viewer go through the grieving process alongside Marley.