Like literally everybody else on earth, I’m still thinking about Obsession.

Specifically, a line Nikki says when talking about her writing:

NIKKI
I feel like I need to make a big
change. I’m not feeling…love. I
need my head in the right place to
bring this to life.
BEAR
Love…? It’s a romance?
NICKY
No, it’s not a romance. It’s a love
story.

As someone who wouldn’t consider herself ‘a romance fan’, but still adores certain films that certainly are romantic, I’ve been thinking all week about films that fall into that category for me, and which are my favourites.

So, if you’re anything like me that loves a romantic film that isn’t “a romance”, you might want to check out some of these…

Atonement

My favourite film in the world, based on the book by Ian McEwan.

While Celia and Robbie have one of the most beautifully-tragic romances ever seen in cinema, and their late-night meeting in the library is a crucial turning point for the film, Atonement focuses far more on Briony’s actions and their effects on Celia and Robbie as they live separate, fragmented lives in the wake of the Second World War.

Saoirse Ronan was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress aged just 13 for her role as Briony Tallis, all three leads (James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, and Saoirse Ronan) received BAFTA nominations, as well as the BAFTA for Best Film.

Every element of Atonement comes together to create the most beautifully-haunting depiction of love, loss, and class dynamics I have ever seen.

It was filmed with Christian Dior tights stretched over the back of the lens.

I mean, come the fuck on, they’re insane for that. It’s perfect.

I won’t give anything else away; I need everyone to be as traumatised by this film as I was.

Me Before You

Sam Claflin is the king of this genre, which will become all the more apparent as the list goes on.

Me Before You, adapted from the book by Jojo Moyes, tells the story of Louisa Clark, a bright and beautiful young woman that, after losing her job at the local caff, takes a position caring for Will Traynor.

Aside from his quadriplegia, Will lives with terminal sarcasm. While there isn’t much Lou can do about that, she is able to (mostly) rid him of his cunty attitude after a few visits (and hard home truths).

Me Before You is sure to start a few difficult conversations, but is incredibly heart-warming in its own way, and teaches a few of the most important lessons about love.

Love doesn’t always save lives, but it can certainly change them.

To be loved is to be known.

La La Land

Need I say any more?

Voicemails for Isabelle

If my sister told me to jump off a bridge, I’d probably do it for her.

So, when she told me to watch this, despite my initial apprehension (I was expecting it to be another carbon copy Netflix romance!) of course I had to oblige.

That perfectly embodies the spirit of this warm, funny, rip-your-heart-out-and-stitch-it-right-back-up-again little gem that deserves every bit of praise it’s had and more.

Not every great love story is romantic.

The love of your life might be a friend, a partner, or even a really fucking good coffee you got once (Jurassic Magic in Culver City, if anyone’s curious).

For Jill, the love of her life was her sister, Isabelle. After losing her to Cystic Fibrosis, she goes through life trying to navigate this new world without her.

Along the way, she meets Wes.

What’s so beautiful about this is that Wes never tries to replace Isabelle, and there is a mutual, unspoken understanding of the space we take up in each others hearts, what love means, and how it changes us for the better.

Watch this with your sister — and bring tissues.

Ex-Mas

The only Christmas film I have ever truly loved, Ex-Mas is a short film directed by Keri Collins that gives us a short glimpse into the (former) love story between ‘Douchebag’ and ‘Ice Queen’.

They meet as a non-denominational festive moose and Mrs. Claus, both debating whether or not to text their awful exes.

What arises is a clarity between the pair, the closing of a chapter, and a mature, mutual respect between the pair of them.

At just seven minutes long, Ex-Mas is (literally) the easiest watch on this list, and is available to stream on YouTube here.

Before Sunrise

A true classic, Before Sunrise unfolds over a night and a morning in Vienna.

Two strangers meet on a train, share the turning of the day with one another, and both agree to meet again at the exact same spot exactly six months later.

They wander through Vienna, just talking.

It’s magically unpretentious, despite how easy it would be for it to go that way, and perfectly human in its simplicity.

It’s a beautiful, beautiful film.

But it is certainly not a romance, and the further two instalments in the trilogy solidify that.

Still holding out hope for a fourth!

Dem Horizont so nah

Or ‘Close to the Horizon’.

This is a German film, starring Jannik Schumann and Luna Wedler. I first came across it after seeing Schumann in Charite: At War and looking into his filmography — a criminally-underrated and versatile actor, by the way.

If you’ve already seen (and enjoyed) Me Before You, this should definitely be next on your watchlist.

I, personally, will never be watching it again. That broke my heart.

Love, Rosie

Didn’t I say that Sam Claflin would make his triumphant return to this list?

Love, Rosie is the slow burn to end all slow burns.

One for all the yearners, for sure.

It has all the elements of a classic romance, minus the fact that it takes them their entire lives, and a few lives in-between, to get there. It’s friends-to-lovers, it’s messy, it’s the miscommunication trope at its finest, but it’s also just one of those cosy, comforting films you’d find on a DVD shelf and can watch whatever your mood.

It also has a happy ending, which is more than can be said for most of the films on this list!

The cast is stellar, with familiar names such as Lily Collins and Suki Waterhouse also featuring, and while the film was received poorly by critics, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone that has watched this and doesn’t have a soft spot for it.

You will laugh, you will cry, and you will absolutely rage.