10 ROMANTIC CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Nate Hamon
It’s that time of year again. You know what I’m saying. It’s one of the only few times in the year when we say, “It’s that time of year again!” and then we sigh and we muse “I can’t believe how fast this year has gone!”
It’s not only the time when family starts mingling and bells start jingling but it’s also the time when cheese is spread across our television screens with sappy Christmas movies. Some are better than others. That goes without saying, I guess. Many of these films come wrapped as “Romance” which makes this article a little easier to research for; being that it’s for a marriage celebrancy school. That is, a school that qualifies marriage celebrants. Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a one-horse open sleigh, hey!
Enough dawdling! Let’s talk about “10 of the best romantic Christmas movies”! Number 10 will surprise you I reckon.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
This is not only considered a Christmas classic, and a Romance classic, but one of the best films of all time. This film set a template for many others to follow (see Tom Hanks’ and Meg Ryan’s “You’ve Got Mail” for example). The gist of it is this: Two co-workers at a gift shop (Margaret Sullavan and Jimmy Stewart) can’t stand one another. They do each have objects of infatuation though – their respective pen pals. Little do they know, these “pals” putting pen to paper and creating desire with ink, are in fact each other. They finally decide to meet in person, on Christmas eve. Cue fireworks and dynamite.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Before Johnny Depp became a divisive figure, he set hearts aflutter as one of the few guys who could pull off a face full of scars, caked-on white make-up, a Robert Smith from the Cure hairstyle, and still look good. Tim Burton in arguably his directing peak shares a “beauty and the beast” type story within a 1950s suburban setting and the result is a tender, quirky, and visually immaculate film.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Watching this film used to be a Christmas tradition when the world was resigned to programmed television and it made its reappearance on our idiot boxes every holiday season. It still holds strong as a highly recommended viewing. It’s a beautiful tale of heartache and redemption. A film highly deserving of the title “classic”.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
If this were based on a true story, you’d consider the lead female protagonist some kind of psycho for essentially stalking a guy in a coma by pretending to be his girlfriend before falling in love with his brother. Somehow Sandra Bullock pulls it off though and you are willingly drawn into this weird premise.
Love Actually (2003)
This has become one of the “go to” Christmas films on free-to-air. It’s actually hard to believe it’s nearly 20 years old as it has aged quite well and is still a fun watch. A massive ensemble of A-listers (Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Kiera Knightly, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy and the late, great Alan Rickman – plus a ton of cameos) all bring their own love stories to the screen in this story about sub-stories – if that makes sense. It will if you watch it.
Elf (2003)
This is probably a little more Com-Rom than Rom-Com but this modern classic and family favourite has become a seasonal go-to. It has an oversized elf named Buddy (Will Ferrell) leaving the North Pole for New York to find his biological dad, and falling in love with the irresistible Zooey Deschanel. Or at least her character. Which is really just Zooey Deschanel with a different name.
Last Holiday (2006)
This remake of the 1950 Alec Guiness AKA Obi Wan Kenobi classic may have received less favourability among critics than the original but the general audience seemed to love it. Despite its sad premise, (a department store worker named Georgia (Queen Latifah) discovers that she has only weeks to live thanks to a brain tumour) it is a fun, colourful and romantic flick. It also stars the magnetic Gérard Depardieu and rapper Ice Cube.
The Holiday (2006)
This is another one that had paid critics turning their noses up at its cheesiness and predictability but the general viewer says it’s a worthy addition to the Christmas movie canon. On the critique aggregator site ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ critics have it at a 55% favourability compared to 80% from the general audience. It stars 4 fun actors with excellent chemistry in Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black and Kate Winslet who decide to swap houses for Christmas holidays. It’s got its problems but ultimately it’s a chocolate lava cake of a film. It’s warm and gooey but you may feel a sugar crash after consuming it.
Lovely, Still (2008)
Robert (Martin Landau) is sad and lonely and so finally agrees to spend Christmas with his neighbours. And then he falls for his neighbour’s mum Mary (Ellen Burstyn). Christmas – Mother Mary – there was a missed opportunity to name Landau’s character Joseph but I’ll overlook that.
Die Hard (1991)
Yip. I went there. Or should I say “Yippee-ki-yay! I went there!”
Since the dawn of 1988 it has been argued whether or not the Bruce Willis action film is a Christmas movie. That argument is tired, especially when it is provably so. What is a fresh argument though, is whether or not it can be considered a romance. Maybe even a “Rom-Com”!
Hear me out.
John McClane (Willis) is flying to LA to spend Christmas with his family and heal his fractured marriage. So the romance as part of the premise is laid out from the start. John is a rough and tumble cop whereas Holly, his wife, is a high-flying corporate executive. Here we have the typical Rom-Com mismatch. Then we get the conflict, which in this case is pseudo-terrorists taking Holly and her co-workers hostage. John then puts his own life on the line and fights to save his wife and consequently, save his marriage. How much more romantic can you get? That’s probably not a hard question to answer.
So there you go! Enjoy the holidays with some silver screen love.
This article was brought to you by Rose Training Australia. Australia’s leading Marriage Celebrant qualifier.
Do you love romance? Have you ever considered a job that places you smack dab in the middle of a world of romance. Give yourself the gift of a new career (or even just a side hustle) this Christmas and enrol to become a qualified Marriage Celebrant. You could be helping couples on one of the most important days of their collective lives.
Talk to one of our welcoming team about whether or not a CHC41015 Certificate IV in Celebrancy is right for you.
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