Most Romantic Movies and Scenes

Over the weekend, we watched the movie Say Anything. I hadn't seen it for many years and was a little worried it would be like some other 80's movies I used to love that now disappoint me. I wasn't disappointed. It is still sweet and romantic and full of good lines. And my girls loved John Cusack as much as I did.

You'll soon discover from my list that I'm not talking about kissing or more than that. I'm talking romance. There's a difference. The most romantic scenes I can think of involve emotions. They make you smile, catch your breath, and maybe even swoon. So here are my favorites.

7. A Walk to Remember - The whole movie is pretty romantic, but Landon's face when Jamie is singing "Only Hope" is great. You can actually see him falling in love with her. (This one is for my girls.)

6. Fiddler on the Roof -- I love the scene where Motel has just learned that Tseitel is to be his wife after he'd thought it was impossible. He sings "Miracle of Miracles" while they run and frolick through the woods. You can feel their joy.

5. Flipped - This is the most recent movie I've included in my list. The whole movie is sweet and charming and romantic, but the scene where they plant the tree together is a perfect depiction of young love.

4. The Last of the Mohicans - One of the most romantic scenes doesn't involve Hawkeye (Lewis) and Cora (Stowe). Uncas is killed by Magua and and thrown over the cliff. Alice, who loved Uncas, steps over the edge to join him. It was beautiful.

There are almost too many scenes involving Hawkeye and Cora to list, but a few of my favorites are when he stares at her in the kitchen, when he's looking for her in the fort and then simply takes her hand and leads her away and when he sends her away, promising to find her. This is such a good movie.

3. Say Anything -- Diane Court is nice and likeable in this movie, but Lloyd Dobler charms his way into your heart.

Diane's father asks Lloyd what his plans are (referring to his life and career) and Lloyd answers, "To spend as much time with your daughter as possible."

When Diane breaks his heart, he calls his sister and says, "I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen."

Of course, no Say Anything list would be complete without mentioning the scene where Lloyd stands outside her window and plays "In Your Eyes" on his boombox. How she resisted that, I'll never know.

At the end of the movie, speaking of their relationship, Diane says, "Nobody really thinks this will work, do they?" Lloyd says, "No, but you just described every great success story."

2. The Sound of Music -- When I was younger, I thought Liesl and Rolf were so romantic. Now I recognize the real romance in The Sound of Music. When Captain Von Trapp cuts in on Kurt to demonstrate the Laendler (folk dance), you can see on their faces when they realize their feelings. No wonder the Baroness freaked out a little.

1. Pride and Prejudice -- I ranked this number one because it has romance all the way through it.

The dance, where the rest of the world disappears and they're all alone.

When she rejects his proposal. I don't think there's ever been a more romantic rejection.

When she accidentally sees him at Pemberley and he follows her out to the terrace, where they're both a bit tongue-tied.

And of course, when he walks across the meadow and tells her he loves her. The 40+ seconds of meadow leaves you breathless and then he speaks and it only gets better. "You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you and never wish to be parted from you from this day on."

So there you have it. My favorite romantic scenes from the movies. What is yours?