Best Romantic Films of the Decade (00s)

5. Pride and Prejudice (2005)The sets and costumes are exquisitely recreated and director Joe Wright (Atonement) places the camera in all the right spots. There’s an unexpected, audacious long (nearly 3 minutes) interrupted shot at a party scene showing all the major characters several times that has the steadicam occasionally stopping for dialogue. But it’s the music and the performances (led by Keira Knightley) that’ll draw you in. It’s the best movie based on a Jane Austen novel (though Sense and Sensibility is a respectable second).

4. Amelie (2001)
Nothing that director Jean-Pierre Jeunet has done before (Alien Resurrection) or since (A Very Long Engagement) approaches the exhilarating story of Amelie (doe-eyed beauty Audrey Tautou), who helps people make connections and spreads joy to everyone she meets. A technical triumph of camera movement, editing, and color. It’s innovative from start to finish in story and direction. And Amelie – finally – gets her man at the end.

3. Once (2007)
Two lonely strangers meet and change each other’s lives for the better. Unlike all the other films on this list, the director (John Carney) mostly stays out of the way and allows the music and performances by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova to write volumes. The songs (including “Falling Slowly”) alternate between heartbreaking and inspiring. It’s the best unrequited love story of this decade and a guide on how to put your responsibilities above your selfish desires.

2. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Two lonely strangers meet and fall in love. After 3+ hours of cancer and self-destruction in Magnolia, Paul Thomas Anderson decided to write and direct a sweet, 90 minute romantic comedy. His use of the lighting flares and Jon Brion’s unusual musical score perfectly portray Adam Sandler’s mindset. But most impressively, Anderson is able to coax a sensitive, touching performance out of Sandler, who is completely believable as he falls in love with Emily Watson. They have the best cinematic kissing scene of the decade. Sandler’s core audience didn’t know what to do with the film. I do – in the words of Joel Barish, “Enjoy it” - which brings us to . . .

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
No recent film shows the completely mystifying experience of love as well – its irrationality, unpredictability, and the unexplainable nature of it all. But as Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) erase their failed relationship from their respective memories, another beautiful truth emerges: all the bad memories and experiences help make us who we are. We can only hope we’ve learned from them – and continue to do so. Carrey and Winslet give career-best performances and the supporting performers (Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst, Tobias Funke) are equally perfect. Director Michel Gondry does some fantastic old-school (non-CG) tricks with the camera and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman fills the film with his usual intelligence and humor.