5 under-rated romance films that might restore your faith in the genre

If we're talking about representation and diversification in romance films, chances are Hollywood has already sabotaged how you view this genre at large. Whether be it with unapologetically stereotypical characters, downright sexiest dialogues, or being a faucet of cringe-fest, the list is really exhaustive. Although the last decade has seen a new form of juxtaposing in regards to the depiction of gender norms and created a paradigm shift from populace ideologies, it’s still to push the edge of how experimentalism in films have been adapted. So, with this, let’s ditch the quintessential comfort-pillow of classic films and take a look at some of the under-rated gems in this genre that you might’ve missed out on-

1. Cold War (2017)

Build with the piercing intimacy of unconscious memories and a stratum of events, Pawel Pawlowski’s Cold War is what you’d call a memoir of love set in a communist climate. Expanding over a time of 15 years, from the countryside of Poland to the streets of East Berlin, from Paris to Yugoslavia- this film is a harrowing reimagination of a drowning romance, that finds its strain with political turmoil.

A praiseworthy mention here is Joanna Kulig, who has earlier worked on Woman in the Fifth and Ida and very pragmatically induces her touch to make this film all the more worthy.

With its dated periodic setting and incredibly compelling acting, Cold War is surely one of the few films that are going to stay even after a couple of rewatches.

1. Lovers of The Arctic Circle (1999)

Talking about a film that is subtly incestuous is definitely not the kind of diversity that you would want to indulge in. And yet, when Julio Medem picks up a non-linear story about two people related by coincidence it pierces far through what you’d assume as scratching the surface.

Los Amantes del Círculo Polar, as its Spanish title says, follows the story of two children, Otto and Anna who become best friends as children, leading to their parents getting married to one another. What follows next is a story that is in equal parts tragical, and well as mesmerizing.

Surrendered by a certain sense of palindromes and ubiquitous metaphors, this story bags in a heavy amount of ‘what ifs’ and transforms it into a lamentation of your most cherished memories.

1. What Time Is It There?

More than a story, this 1992 Tsai Ming Liang film is a study of human emotions and desires, all collected in a random simulation of a narrative. With Kang-sheng Lee, as the leading man like most of Liang’s earlier ventures, the story follows him on the streets of Taiwan selling watches for a livelihood.

With an absurd journey through different spaces, it discovers the characters grim backstory as he forges a connection with one of his customers.

An additional reason to watch this film would definitely be the homage that it pays to the legendary auteur, Francois Truffaut. And with an overwhelming heart, you see Jean Pierre Leaud in a cameo, making his presence felt, even if for a fleeting moment.

1. Like Crazy (2011)

This film is one that draws itself more on the conjecture of emotions rather than on the plot. And even though there is a certain formality of cynicism that this film finds itself at, the desperation and challenges at the heart of it make this one every bit worthy of being on this list.

The story follows an overarching relationship between a British college student, Anna who falls for an American student, Jacob, and about how them staying together comes at costs far to difficult to compensate.

The scenes with Yelchin and Jones has a certain aura of freshness, and seeing them on screen is a delight, whether be it walking through the streets of Los Angeles or rioting with laughter on bumper cars.

1. Submarine

Finally, a coming-of-age drama to add to the list! This film has all the elements that you’d expect from an indie production. It’s quirky, humorous, and packs in a mixed bag of emotions, while taking you down on a saddle, through the palpable crossroads of puberty.

Submarine follows the narrative of young Oliver, a 15-year-old Welsh schoolboy, who would easily fall into the bandwagon of any Michael Cera character. Even though at the surface of the film, the characters may seem very artificial, as the story progresses, it becomes far more a weathered philosophy of admirable teenagers.

The film has a really beautiful soundtrack with visual anecdotes that might remind you of a familiar Wes Anderson. All in all, this film is one that would instantly be a cult favorite for its impeccable sensibility.