Autumnal winds bring a sugary chill, and feelings of reassessment, transition, and contemplation fill the air. It is also not uncommon to yearn for or enjoy the warmth stoked by a romantic relationship, hopefully embracing each other during the holidays and up until New Year’s. Some of these films may not be explicit about the seasons the story takes place in, but that does not disregard the effect that the lovely assortment of reds, yellows, and browns may have on the characters themselves and the audiences as they navigate courtship and passion in thecomfort of their cozyhomes.
These select films not only offer audiences sublime examples ofromancebut do so with the fantasy-like foliage that decorates the homes of the protagonist. Fall traditions like Halloween, Thanksgiving, town festivals, or the simple scent of cinnamon and coffee, also pull readers into an attainable yet seemingly magical experience.
Furthermore, films with heavyweights like Julia Roberts create a symbiotic relationship of sorts. Enriching romantic escapades have the fortune of being portrayed by talented thespians, and said thespians have the stories themselves to use as vehicles for depicting human interaction in almost revolutionary ways. For anyone looking for a little love in their autumn, these are some of themost rewatchable romance storiesto have graced the screens.
15Autumn in New York (2000)
Autumn in New Yorkintroduces audiences to the successful but unfaithful Will Keane (Richard Gere). One day, he meets the untethered Charlotte Fielding (Winona Ryder) and soon learns about her connection to a past love of his. As Will and Charlotte peel back their respective layers, their relationship consequentially morphs into a relationship made morose upon new, life-shattering developments. An example of the messier connections found in rom-coms,Autumn In New Yorkis a dramatic look at love, loyalty, and loss.
Autumn in New York
A Complicated Tragedy Woven Into a Bittersweet Romance
Despite being derided for the lack of chemistry between Richard Gere and Winona Ryder, many of the film’s strengths lie in director Joan Chen. Weaving a humanist tone into the film, many critics praised her creative direction, how she conjures Will and Charlotte, as well as their various complications. While Will’s creepiness and the looming tragedy throughout the filmAutumn In New York,the film taps into the darker aspects of life associated with fall. From the cold and deceptive personalities of some characters to feelings of isolation and regret,Autumn in New Yorksubmerges viewers into the darkness of Will and Charlotte’s connection.
14Mystic Pizza (1988)
Mystic Pizzafocuses on a group of Portuguese-American teenagers and their various responsibilities and romances. Taking place in the aforementioned town of Mystic, Connecticut, much of the film focuses on sisters Kat (Annabeth Gish) and Daisy Araujo (Julia Roberts), as well as their mutual friend Jojo Barboza (Lili Taylor). From Jojo’s commitment issues to Kat’s romance with a married man (William R. Moses), and Daisy’s interactions with a seemingly well-intentioned, wealthy youth, the young women embark on a transformative journey when they come out with a greater depth in understanding life, love, and ambition.
Mystic Pizza
A Rich Collecting of Coming-of-Age Romances
A look inside heartwarming solidarity, alongside intriguing romantic dalliances,Mystic Pizzashines as a compelling look into adolescence and aspirations, using various relationships as a vehicle to help guide Kat, Daisy, and Jojo through the crossroads they stand before. Through melding melodrama and comedy with notable themes of maturity, classism, and ethnic tensions,Mystic Pizzablossoms as a delightfully funny yet earnest reflection of reality, and the foliage that decorates the film’s scenes helps emphasize the overall transitional period Kat, Daisy, and Jojo find themselves navigating.
13All That Heaven Allows (1955)
All that Heaven Allowssees Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman star in a romance that analyzes the burgeoning connection between Ron (Hudson), a young arborist, and Cary (Wyman), a wealthy widow. Tending to her college-aged son, organizing events for the neighborhood, and shying away from men vying for her affection, Cary sets her sights on Ron and the two begin a heartwarming yet eye-opening relationship. Issues arise as a result of their age difference, class, and expectations in life. While journeying through their time together and apart, epiphanies and tragedies alike help shape Cary and Ron’s respective thoughts on love.
A Colorful Display of Passion
Benefiting from Hudson and Wyman’s respective performances,All That Heaven Allowsstands as a cherished romance film by many. Supplemented by powerful instances of mise-en-scene as well as a generally ingenious manipulation of color, the story is further strengthened by director Douglas Sirk’s visual direction. Earning favorable comparisons to the trio’s previous projectMagnificent Obsessions,All That Heaven Allowsis a touching embrace of miracles and initiative alike, inviting audiences into the cozy world where a relentless chase for genuine love is not only achievable but fulfilling.
12Love and Basketball (2000)
The rollercoaster romance between Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) leads audiences across decades of separation, hope, and desire.Love And Basketballbegins in their youth before following the two professional basketball aspirants from their first meeting, their high school dalliances, and their adult reunion. Much like the title suggests, their shared passion for the sport serves as a sturdy enough foundation for Quincy and Monica to forge a formidable connection that is nothing short of touching.
When Kindred Spirits Collide
Presenting their love as a long thread throughout their respective lives,Love And Basketballis one of the few special films that convince the audience of the existence of true love. Through the focus on Monica and Quincy’s respective responsibilities and life trajectories, the film cleverly plays with the contentious debate over fate and free will. Seemingly heading towards a middle ground,Love And Basketballsuggests that both forces, typically believed to be oppositional, pour into each other, creating a cycle of love that Monica and Quincy best represent.
11Practical Magic (1998)
Practical Magicsees Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman transform into descendants of a long line of witches. Sally (Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Kidman) each have complicated yet understandable relationships to love. Informed by their maternal ancestors, Sally and Gillian rely on mystical solutions to their predicaments. However, they never seem to fully evade true love and the more harrowing perversions of “love” that threaten their security, self-esteem, and their lives.
Practical Magic
Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman), born into a magical family, have mostly avoided witchcraft themselves. But when Gillian’s vicious boyfriend, Jimmy Angelov (Goran Visnjic), dies unexpectedly, the Owens sisters give themselves a crash course in hard magic. With policeman Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn) growing suspicious, the girls struggle to resurrect Angelov – and unwittingly inject his corpse with an evil spirit that threatens to end their family line.
A Darkly Compassionate Comedy
With rich lore surrounding the Owens family tree, their connection to magic, and the rules of the universe,Practical Magicalready stands as a strong contender for films to watch during the spooky season. Moreover, the complimenting shades of brown throughout the film evoke feelings of the autumnal atmosphere.
With regard to the story itself,Practical Magichealthily balances issues of romance, grief, domestic violence, and misogyny by exploring how the reputation of the Owens sisters, alongside rigid societal expectations of women and femmes, endanger them. With the use of magic, and more importantly, family connections, Sally and Gillian’s agency results in a heartwarming moment of liberation from the web of abuse.
10The Lake House (2006)
The Lake Housemelds fantasy and romance into a fascinating story of two strangers who are unequivocally drawn towards one another, despite not having the faintest clue behind their mutual attraction. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock star as Alex Wyler and Dr. Kate Forster respectively, two individuals with a strangely similar connection to a lake house. Beginning with a letter from Kate, the two quickly begin a chain of correspondence. However, inconsistencies in time and their separation stand as obstacles in their budding connection. As the film progresses, Alex and Kate grow closer and the mystery of their connection soon unravels.
The Lake House
A Complex Subversion of Reality
Embracing the impossibilities found within its worldbuilding,The Lake Housewould understandably earn mixed to unfavorable reviews. However, for those who appreciate a bit of genre-whiplash in their films,The Lake Housemight very well be a strong addition to the watchlist. In its most positive review, Roger Ebert noted that the film’s manipulation of time makes for anemotionally logicalfilm led by two likable personalities and once audiences make sense of the nonsense,The Lake Housefunctions as an imaginative piece that invites audiences into its chilly world and cozy romance.
9The Proposal (2009)
The Proposalsees Ryan Reynold and Sandra Bullock bounce off of each other’s talents in this amusing romance. Faced with deportation, Canadian executiveMargaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) hopes to evade deportation by convincing Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), her personal assistant, to marry her. Between her assertive nature and his desire to get a book of his published, the two mutually agree to the marriage. However, a suspicious federal agent (Denis O’Hare) dedicates his time and resources to finding whatever discrepancy lies within their union, in hopes of breaking them up and punishing them accordingly.
The Proposal
The Proposal (2009) is a romantic comedy about a high-powered book editor who persuades her assistant to marry her in order to avoid deportation to Canada. As they navigate the complexities of their unconventional agreement, unexpected emotions and humorous situations unfold, challenging their perceptions of love and commitment.
A Mutually Beneficial Exercise In Compassion
The Proposalmakes the most of its predicament, offering audiences a whimsical yet touching love story at the turn of the decade. Despite its formulaic approach to the rom-com, both Bullock and Reynolds buoy the film with their irresistible chemistry. Like many other rom-coms set in the Big Apple, the juxtaposition between the dull beiges of the office to the bright, breathtaking blues, yellows, and oranges make for an alluring viewing experience.
20 Rom-Coms Like The Proposal You Need to Watch Next
If you liked The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, here are 20 other rom-coms you’re bound to love.
8One Fine Day (1996)
One Fine Dayopens with a hectic morning and much disappointment. Two single parents, Melanie and Jack, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney respectively, find themselves supervising their children together after they both fail in getting them to school on time for a field trip. Attempting to transform the day on a whim, the two inadvertently exchange phones, further tying themselves to each other’s lives.
one fine day
A Saccharine Screwball Comedy
Despite earning mixed reviews, both leads captivate audiences with a strong performance. Melanie and Jack constantly jump in and out of each other’s personal and professional lives, learning more about one another in the midst of barely controlled chaos. The end result is a worthwhile romance that drifts from scenario to scenario like the surrounding leaves, floating and fluttering in the wind, landing somewhere for just a moment, before soaring away once again, gliding to a new destination in peaceful unpredictability.
7Crossing Delancey (1988)
Crossing Delanceyinvites the audience into the life of Isabelle Hoffman (Amy Irving), a bookstore worker with a keen interest in reading. To her chagrin, her family attempts to pair her up with small business owner Sam Posner (Peter Riegert), instead yearning for wealthy author Anton Maes (Jeroen Krabbé). In between her passion for literature, the various cultures highlighted, and the film’s chronicling Isabelle’s indecisiveness,Crossing Delanceyblooms into a wise and bountiful romance story, despite its focus on an insular world.
Crossing Delancey
An Endearing Look at Love
Critics praisedCrossing Delanceyfor its ability to stand strong as a feel-good movie without falling into the overly saccharine or sappy. A rich story decorated with Yiddish, Dutch, and Jewish customs, Isabelle’s journey to love is nothing short of charming, gifting viewers with a genuine romance that proudly and successfully interrogates one’s ability to choose, reflect on said choices, and their willingness to pursue wholesome love and community.
6Rushmore (1998)
With an over-familiar, albeit entertaining premise,Rushmorefollows ambitious and intelligent student Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman), a middle-class, active student who hopes to make a name for himself at the titular, prestigious academy. Finding a friend in wealthy industrialist Herman Blue (Bill Murray), the two form a mentor-mentee relationship spurned by the former’s disdain for his sons. Nevertheless, the appearance of new teacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams) sparks a peculiar yet entertaining rivalry between the two. Unbeknownst to them, this rivalry results in a fulfilling year for both Max and Herman.
A Delectable, Droll Battle for Love
Aside from the American school year and the fall,Rushmorebenefits from sharing a story of urgency and ambition during a season that signals change in a myriad of ways. Despite chronicling Max and Herman’s respective romances year-round,Rushmoreis the perfect film to sit down and enjoy on a windy autumn day. From the impressive performances of then-novice Schwartzman, Murray, and Williams, to the unabashed shamelessness of Max and Herman’s pursuits,Rushmoreis the whacky yet complex film that will surely satisfy audiences during a chilly November.
