Romantic movie quantum physics… it’s complicated. There’s a lot that hangs in balance: on-screen chemistry, a decent script, sexual ingenuousness, characters that are not entirely maddening to watch. A great soundtrack helps immeasurably, too; it’s the supporting cast member that rarely gets its due, despite its weight to convey a hidden depth of feeling where action fails. Though, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility, there’s a considered art to curating such a soundscape. Like the writer-director (and former Rolling Stone journalist) Cameron Crowe – responsible for cinematic gems from Almost Famous to Jerry Maguire – astutely observed, “music can be a very cranky partner in the editing room. Most songs almost scream, ‘Leave me alone!’” So, seeing as romance and music can be a seed of comfort on rainy days, here’s a compilation of films that combine the very best of both to counter summer’s stubborn refusal to play ball.
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
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It’s hard not to fall hook, line and sinker in love with When Harry Met Sally, the chicken soup for the soul of films; a go-to recommendation for those who effusively pronounce themselves as haters of the romantic comedy genre (as though preferring The Godfather trilogy and having a MUBI subscription somehow makes you a better person. It does not). Really, it’s a story about friendship, sexual politics, “stupid wagon wheel coffee tables!”, and acceptance. Admittedly, this is more of a ‘winter’ album (featuring songs like ‘Autumn in New York’, ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; et al), but seeing as we’re in firm agreement that time is a construct of our own making, we’d prescribe this for any nondescript evening of the week.
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CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
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Sometimes the greatest love stories are the ones where there is little said, where feelings are contained in silences and secret glances. Call Me By Your Name’s soundtrack – featuring Sufjan Stevens’ ‘The Mystery Of Love’ and 80s synth classic ‘Love My Way’ by The Psychedelic Furs – plays an integral part to illuminating this fuzzy dance, a very specific kind of romantic elation, where just to be near someone you’re deeply into is both insufferable and exquisite. A musical odyssey of blossoming, all-consuming desire.
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ROMEO + JULIET
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The most romantic and, yes, possibly the most depressing stories of all time. But ohmygod, the music in Baz Luhrmann’s adaption of the Shakespearean classic is faultless: from the sublime and sexy to the dizzying and devastating; there’s something for everyone… 90s alt-grunge, indie pop and the ultimate love ballad, Des’ree’s ‘Kissing You’.
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BLUE VALENTINE
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Movies, the good ones at least, are a portal of discovery. At the best end of the audience reactionary spectrum, a means to discover something about yourself. How you have loved or wish to be. Blue Valentine will do just that – it will undo you. We wouldn’t classify this under the ‘feel-good’ umbrella, and yet, for all the pain and misery – and there is a lot of that – the leading couple cause each other, there’s an underscore of sweetness. A remembering of the tenderness shared during loves first bloom. Mirrored in ‘their’ song, a sleeper 1970s hit ‘You and Me’ by Penny & The Quarters. Suitably heartful and heart-breaking.
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SOMEONE GREAT
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It seems apt that a movie following a music journalist (Gina Rodrigez), looking back on the highs and lows of a long-term relationship – and ultimately grappling with its demise – would be cushioned with good songs. Think dance-around-in-your-underwear pop to sad girl summer anthems (Motion ‘Sickness’ by Phoebe Bridgers and ‘Missing U’ by Robyn). To get your head back in a decidedly more hopeful space of future flirtations? Blast ‘Saturday’ by Twin Shadow and HAIM.
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A STAR IS BORN
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Hollywood loves a doomed romance. Too much, one could say. But if you are so inclined to dip your toe into more melancholic waters, the acting and music in this Oscar-winning remake is a tower of emotional strength. Lady Gaga’s ‘I’ll Never Love Again’ will move even the most hardened of stoics.
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DIRTY DANCING
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Whilst this movie was made in the 1980s, it is set in the early 1960s, a time of cultural upheaval, of shattering of convention to make room for more fun and more sex. The music reflects this newfound giddiness of pure unfettered pleasure. For dancing: Otis Redding’s ‘Love Man; for foreplay: Soloman Burke’s ‘Cry To Me; for a dose of love hangover neurosis: The Shirelles’ ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’.
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ONCE
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This is a very un-Hollywood, lo-fi and genuine portrait of two people – an Irish busker and a Czech migrant – who fall in love, their souls bound together through the music they create together. The song featured in the soundtrack, ‘Falling Slowly’, won an Oscar in 2007, it captures a tender and nourishing companionship and is, quite simply, perfect.
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ALMOST FAMOUS
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Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Bowie, The Beach Boys, Neil Young… the early 70s hitmaker gang are all here, which makes sense, it being Cameron Crowe’s movie that is essentially a drawing of himself as a teen writer for Rolling Stone magazine, touring with rock stars. Though it’s the film’s instrumental final scene song, ‘Cabin In The Air’ by Nancy Wilson, that is soul-stirringly good. A wordless melody that, in less than two minutes, seems to perfectly capture that feeling of love in its infancy. Sweet, protected, like a cabin floating above the clouds.
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