25 of the most swoon-worthy romance movies of all time
By Amy Kaplan
An Affair to Remember
So typically I wouldn’t find affairs “romantic” but somehow this movie just tugs at my heartstrings. Some of you youngsters may have heard of this 1950s classic but never seen it and I urge you to find it streaming somewhere and give it a shot. Yes, it’s old, but it’s really the basis of so many romantic movies you know and love today and we’ve got to give the original some love! Not to mention the ultimate leading man — Cary Grant – is in it. What more could a girl ask for?
The retro movie tells the story of Nickie Ferrante (Grant) and Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) who meet and fall in love while on a cruise from Europe to New York (that’s a long time back then) they agree to meet in six months atop the Empire State Building. Despite being engaged to other people, they are clearly in love (1950s love of course, but still steamy love). But an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nickie fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he figure out why she doesn’t show? Or will he be heartbroken forever?
At the time critics were not super impressed with the movie, but its easy dialogue and its heart-wrenching ending (which is what critics hated at the time) has stood the test of time and it’s much better received now.
Fun Fact: A 1994 remake of the film was made starring Warren Beatty (who also wrote and produced) and his wife Annette Bening. I haven’t seen this version, but I’ve heard it was good and may need to add that to my to-do list!
Release date: July 11, 1957