Celebrate Valentine's Day with these Romantic films

CAIRO – 14 February 2018: It's Valentine's Day, the international day of love; Egypt Today celebrates the occasion with 10 lovely romantic movies.

"Casablanca" (1942)



An enduring classic which is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made; Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman star as as amongst the most iconic Hollywood couples in director Michael Curtiz's romance set in the tense height of WWII.

Rick Blaine (Bogart) runs a nightclub in 1940s Casablanca which serves as a haven for refugees to escape to America. When his old flame Ilsa (Bergman) stops by with her husband, Blaine feels his heart reawakened.

"Gone with the Wind" (1939)


One of the most beloved romances of all time, director Vikor Fleming crafts an epic tale of the love life of Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), tracing her life throughout the Civil War and her relationship with men such as the handsome rogue, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and old flame Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard).

"When Harry Met Sally" (1989)



Director Rob Reiner explores the fine line between love and friendship in this endearing romantic comedy. Two close friends, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan), have been close for years, trying and failing to find love on their own. The two consistently have each other in their lives however, and as they grow even closer, the pair confronts a question: "Can a man and woman remain friends before love gets in the way?"

"Singing in the Rain" (1952)



This romantic-comedy musical explores the transition of an early Hollywood studio from silent film to color and sound. Famous on-screen actors Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are a beloved romantic pair; though in reality Don feels nothing for Lina. After the shift to sound, Don's voice proves to be a hit, but Lina's needed to be dubbed over; enter stage actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), brought in to replace Lina's voice, Don begins to fall in love, much to Lina's jealously.

"Titanic" (1997)



James Cameron has directed one of the biggest romantic films of all time, telling the tragic and timeless story of poor artist Jack Dawson (Leonaro DiCaprio) and aristocrat Rose Calvert (Kate Winslet), who meet on-board the RMS Titanic as it sets sail on its doomed voyage on in 1912.


"Pretty Woman" (1990)



Director Garry Marshall pairs Richard Gere and Julia Roberts together in this romantic comedy about how love transcends social barriers. Edward (Gere) is a wealthy through cutthroat businessman who could have it all, but his ambitions prevent him from maintaining close emotional connections.

Not wanting to look bad going to social gatherings all alone, he hires prostitute Vivian Ward (Roberts) to be his 24/7 escort, paying her in return. What neither of them counted on was the seed of love to be planted. For her leading role, Roberts was nominated an Oscar award.

"The Shape of Water" (2017)



A common theme in Monster Movies is that the monster kidnaps a beautiful woman, and the leading hero must save her from its clutches. Director Guillermo del Toro turns this idea on its head, showing that even monsters deserve love.

Set in a secret research facility in the 1960s, mute Janitor Elisa (Sally Hawkins) begins to empathize with a fish-man (Doug Jones) held captive at the facility, and the two soon form a passionate connection that transcends words, proving the power of love.

"The Princess Bride" (1987)



Rob Reiner directs this whimsical fantasy romance that begins with an elderly man reading the titular story to his sick grandson, who's convinced he won't like something romantic; it is the story of farm-girl Buttercup (Robin Wright), who is chosen to be the bride of a cruel prince, but still mourns for the loss of her true love, Westley (Cary Elwes), who supposedly died at sea. However, when Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of bandits, the mysterious Dread Pirate Roberts might be the key to saving her.

"Roman Holiday" (1953)



William Wyler's romantic comedy that won leading lady Audrey Hepburn an Oscar for best Actress, "'Roman Holiday'" sees Hepburn cast into the role of runaway European Princess Ann, who is discovered by American reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), who believes he's in for the story of a lifetime, but love begins to blossom between the two, leading to hilarious antics.

"The Big Sick"(2017)



This romantic comedy from director Michael Showalter explores the complications and mishaps of cross-cultural love when stand up Pakistani comedian Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) falls in love with Emily (Zoe Kazan). Their relationship struggles when cultural differences begin to interfere, and things get even more complicated when Emily falls into a coma and Kumail must deal with her tragic illness and two families, all while coming to terms with what he really wants in life.