Romantic films set in London. Many people will immediately equate this mini movie genre with the screenwriter Richard Curtis, who has penned some of the most successful British films in recent years. Films include Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Notting Hill (1999) and Love Actually (2003), all of which are (at least partly) set in London. The earliest of these, Four Weddings, is perhaps the most charming (with Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell pursuing an awkward romance) but Notting Hill (set in that fashionable part of London) is more London centred.
Ten Romantic Films Set in London
There is more to London films than Richard Curtis scribed works, so here is a list of 10 romantically inclined (in the broadest sense) cinematic gems located in England’s capital city:
- This Year’s Love (1999), starring Kathy Burke, Ian Hart and Jennifer Ehle. An ensemble cast play a diverse group of interconnected adults living (and sometimes loving) in Camden, north London. This is a funny, bittersweet and sometimes sad observation of relationships. Best line in the film goes to the excellent Kathy Burke "I'm a fat bird who's expected to be funny."
- Howards End (1992), starring Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter and Samuel West. This beautiful Merchant Ivory adaptation of E.M Forster’s novel is an exploration of the rigid class structure in Edwardian London and the difficulty of relationships between people of different social position.
- 84 Charing Cross Road (1986), starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. Before email, Twitter and Facebook people actually wrote letters! Spanning a two decade correspondence from the 1940s, between an antiquarian bookseller in London and a bibliophile in New York, this film is both witty and touching.
- My Beautiful Laundrette (1985), starring Daniel Day Lewis and Gordon Warnecke. Directed by Stephen Frears and with a screenplay by Hanif Kureishi, this unusual and stylish film examines homosexuality and racism in 1980s Britain. It focuses on a difficult romance between a British Pakistani and his old (now punk) school friend.
- An American Werewolf in London (1981), starring David Naughton and Jenny Agutter. This John Landis horror flick may not be a traditional Valentine’s Day choice but it does have a very romantic shower scene (with great lunar inspired soundtrack).
- Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. This may seem an obvious choice but (for all the single girls) this film offers the chance to belt out “All by myself” on Valentine’s eve.
- Sense and Sensibility (1995), starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. This sumptuous adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel is directed by Ang Lee, who beautifully captures family relationships and heartbreak.
- Sliding Doors (1998) starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah. This quirky film explores how destiny can be determined by seemingly insignificant events – such as catching a particular London underground train (or not).
- An Education (2009) starring Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard. This coming of age story, set in 1960s suburban London, is inspired by an autobiographical essay by journalist Lynn Barber. A tale of a naive school girl falling for an older (and slightly dodgy) man could be sinister but instead it is charming and comic.
- Great Expectations (1946), starring John Mills and Jean Simmons. The old ones are the best. In a year celebrating the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens it would be criminal not to include a film inspired by one of the writer’s stories. David Lean’s epic film is a classic (cliché but true) and from the moment it begins you will be seduced by the unorthodox love story of Pip and Estella.
The above list of films reflects some of the rich heritage and diversity of London- a city which is often beautiful, sometimes ugly, but rarely dull. It is a city which is mad about movies so, if you get the chance, visit the London Film Museum and the British Film Institute. It is also worth noting that other part of the UK, such as Yorkshire, have provided the inspiration and location for diverse and interesting films about love.
Jacqui Taylor - I am a part-time librarian, art student and writer. Previously I have done a wide range of jobs - from selling theatre tickets to teaching ...
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