Pride and Prejudice

Few understand romance better than British novelist Jane Austen — and Hollywood knows it. The first screen adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, her most famous work, was released for U.K. television in 1938, followed by a feature-length film in 1940, a television miniseries in 1995 and the most recent award-winning version of the film in 2005. The 1995 version stars Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, while Keira Knightley leads as Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bennet in the newer film. The timeless story of courtship and marriage tells of a 19th-century English family of five daughters whose mother is looking to climb the social ladder. When two high-society men take interest in the two eldest daughters, drama ensues. Elizabeth, the second-eldest and heroine of the story, is convinced she will never marry unless she finds true love — that is, until she meets Mr. Darcy. Even the greatest love-pessimist will shed a tear for these on-again-off-again relationships.

Say Anything

A milestone in John Cusack’s 1980s pursuit to claim the “boy next door” title, Say Anything is more than a coming-of-age romantic comedy. When the average and optimistic Lloyd (Cusack) goes for the beautiful, straight-A student Diane (Ione Skye), all are surprised when she returns the sentiment. Her father’s disapproval causes challenges for the first-love couple as they spend their first summer out of high school together. The charming sincerity of their relationship strikes chords with many — and it will have you playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” on repeat for days.

Lovers of the Arctic Circle

(Los Amantes del

Círculo Polar)

Everyone knows the age-old adage “what goes around comes around,” and in Lovers of the Arctic Circle, this saying holds true. The 1998 film, written and directed by Spaniard Julio Medem, tells the circular story of Otto (Fele Martínez) and Ana (Najwa Nimri), whose names are palindromes. It begins at the pair’s chance schoolyard meeting during childhood and follows their high-school lovemaking until they meet again as man and woman within the Arctic Circle in Finland. Themes of the circle of life and coincidence can be found throughout the plot. The truly creative film will not only tug your heartstrings with a love story but will also provoke a sense of awe for its keen symbolism and cinematography.