Forbidden loves have always been the topic of many artistic creations, and films are not far behind in their depictions. We have witnessed various breathtaking stories that were shown on the big screen, some of which were inspired by literary classics and some were told through the movie for the very first time.
The question is – why we like these films so much? Why do we come back to them?
Here’s why: this topic never leaves us without a strong impression, attitude and a certain dose of emotional involvement. Either it reminds us of our own stories and makes us identify with the protagonists, or it simply touches us to the core from the psychological side. In an imperfect world, we’re forced to experiment with problems and anxieties, which are impossible to avoid. But, thanks to them, we can reflect on life and learn new things that, in turn, give us genuine learning. That’s what these movies are about. That’s why we feel a penchant for forbidden loves because in them we can find a whole new knowledge necessary to grow up and mature. These lessons hurt the most, but that’s a price that everyone needs to pay.
However, if you want to learn about it without suffering so much, take our advice and download these seven movies. Of course, there are many more and you can find a whole bunch of them on TheVore.com or similar streaming websites, but this would be our special selection. Take your favourite blanket, a glass of wine and dive into the world of impossible romances tonight.
1. All that heaven allows (1955)
Oldies fan? Then you shouldn’t jump over this one. Cary (played by Jane Wyman) has recently become a widow and she’s facing all those painful consequences like the absence of her already grown-up kids. And, just when it seems that her life has been cancelled and buried together with her late husband, she unexpectedly falls in love with Ron (Rock Hudson), a handsome gardener much younger than her. Both Cary’s children and the rest of the community completely disapprove of their relationship, not only because of the age difference but because Ron belongs to another social class. So typical, right?
In case this is not enough for you to decide to see it, let’s mention that this one was actually selected for the National Film Registry, and also included into the book named 100 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
2. The graduate (1967)
This iconic sixties film is all about the high price to be paid for impossible relationships and how difficult it can be to get rid of them. Grandiose Dustin Hoffman plays Beck, a newly graduated young man with honours and a true pride of his family. Upon returning home, Beck gets seduced by the wife of his father’s partner, Mrs. Robinson. But that’s not the end of the problems showing up. There goes another one – soon after that, Beck falls in love with his lover’s daughter and the thing gets even more complicated.
It might sound like a threshed topic, but at the time of its completion, The Graduate turned out to be a rather bold idea, which not only challenged the moral order of American high society but also warned that the liberation of the sixties wouldn’t be something so easy to handle.
3. Girl with a pearl earring (2003)
Delft, Holland, 1665. Young Griet (Scarlett Johansson) becomes a servant in Johannes Vermeer’s (Colin Firth) house. Yes, Vermeer, a famous (and married) painter: and, aware of her intuition with light and colour, he’ll gradually introduce her to the mysterious world of his painting. On the other hand, Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt), Vermeer’s mother-in-law, seeing that Griet inspires him, decides to allow this strange relationship between them so that his son-in-law increases his meagre production of paintings.
The girl increasingly surrenders to Vermeer’s charms, although she can’t be quite sure of the painter’s feelings towards her. The result of their bond will be one of the greatest works of art ever created, but… at what price to Griet? This lovely movie by Peter Webber is all about art – painting, but also the art of love.
4. Harold and Maude (1971)
One more plot including a year gap: an extravagant combination of black comedy and forbidden romance between a teenager and an octogenarian. Harold (Bud Cort), twenty years old, lives locked in his house, immersed in depression and his obsession with death. On the contrary, elderly Maude (Ruth Gordon), a concentration camp survivor still has a happy and idealistic vision of life. The roles between young and old are reversed, and Harold will move from admiration to falling in love to which Maude will not correspond. However, in exchange for that, she’ll show him that a much more interesting world awaits him out there and somehow prepares him for your future love affairs.
The film is dotted with great moments, which is probably why it was included in the list of Top 100 Funniest American Movies.
5. The bridges of Madison County (1995)
Clint Eastwood plays Robert, a National Geography photographer who arrives in Madison County in Iowa in the 60s, to photograph the typical bridges of the place. There he’ll meet Francesca (Meryl Streep), a married woman dedicated to family life, who spends days alone at home because her family’s traveling. It will be an unexpected time trial romance, intense enough for lovers to review their personal stories and recover for a moment everything they decided to resign to build their lives. A delicate detail elevates Francesca’s feelings: she has had to give up on Robert to preserve her family but has left a testimony so that years later her children can share it.
The scene in the car near the end of the film is probably one of the most touching moments in the film industry – if you’re a cry baby, there’s no way you can remain calm and still while watching it. Also, Meryl Streep got her (deserved) award for the best actress in a leading role at 68th Academy Awards ceremony.
6. Carol (2015)
New York, 1950s. Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young shop assistant in a Manhattan store who dreams of a better life, meets Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an elegant and sophisticated woman trapped in an unhappy marriage. An immediate attraction emerges among them, increasingly intense and profound – and it will change their lives forever. In addition to having to carry on with their love secretly because same gender love’s censored, Therese will have to deal with the fact that Carol’s married to a man (Kyle Chandler).
7. While you were sleeping (1995)
And, in the end… Tired of tough dramas? You might be interested in this lovely comedy. Young Lucy (Sandra Bullock), who has already turned thirty and has truly tedious daily routine, lives her life full of anxiety and unease as she hasn’t found the man who makes her fully happy yet. Her only fun is observing Peter (Peter Gallagher), a handsome man and one of the habitual commuters, every day from the window of the subway ticket office where she works.
One day, everything changes as the man becomes the victim of a robbery and loses consciousness in the subway station. Saving him from the rails, Lucy brings him to the hospital and gets mistaken as his fiancée by his family. However, while Peter is in coma, Lucy and Peter’s brother Jack become closer than expected. It’s a Christmas movie, but it’s absolutely right choice to watch it during any season, as it’s able to make anyone’s heart warm.
