Classic Hollywood Romances In Film

19 April 2017

Directed, written by and starring Warren Beatty, the hugely enjoyable and compelling Rules Don’t Apply centres round an aspiring actress (Lily Collins), her driver (Alden Ehrenreich) and the wildly unpredictable billionaire, Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty). As the film nostalgically depicts 1950s Hollywood as well as the instant attraction between Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins) and Alden Ehrenreich’s character, we thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to round up some of the most timeless and classic romances in film.

Rules Don't Apply

Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca is centred around an American expatriate who unexpectedly encounters a former lover in Casablanca during World War Two, and it is considered not only one of the best romances but one of the greatest films of all time. The legendary Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are as charismatic as ever and possess some of the most authentic chemistry seen on screen. Not to mention the fact that Casablanca features some of the most beloved quotes in cinema history; ‘here’s looking at you, kid.’

Gone with the Wind (1939)

This is another staple of American cinema, and focuses on the turbulent relationship between a roguish man and a strong-willed woman during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction period. For many, this story is one of the most intense romances ever put to screen, depicting a frustrating and seemingly impossible love between two strong-minded egos.

Roman Holiday (1953)

Two legendary actors star in this American romantic comedy (Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn) and they possess a palpable but unique on-screen chemistry in Roman Holiday. Set in the ideal location of Rome, the film follows news reporter Joe Bradley who falls in love with Princess Ann, who has escaped her guardians.

The Apartment (1960)

When it comes to classic Hollywood romances, there’s nothing quite like The Apartment. Director Billy Wilder creates a romance where Shirley MacLaine’s melancholic heroine Fran Kubelik is the perfect counterpart to Jack Lemmon at his wryly-humorous best.

Rules Don't Apply

Rules Don’t Apply is about an aspiring young actress (Lily Collins) and her ambitious young driver (Alden Ehrenreich) struggle hopefully with the absurd eccentricities of the wildly unpredictable billionaire (Warren Beatty) whom they work for.

It’s Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Collins), under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes (Beatty), arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes (Ehrenreich), who is engaged to be married to his 7th grade sweetheart and is a deeply religious Methodist. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test, but also defies Hughes’ #1 rule: no employee is allowed to have any relationship whatsoever with a contract actress. Hughes’ behaviour intersects with Marla and Frank in very separate and unexpected ways, and as they are drawn deeper into his bizarre world, their values are challenged and their lives are changed.