Movies About Relationships

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat, Shahab Hosseini
Rated PG-13

A Separation is the story of a couple – Simin and Nader – who are going through a divorce due to conflicting opinions about whether or not to leave the country. Simin wants to leave Iran for a better life, while Nader wants to stay and take care of his elderly father. As a result of this disagreement, Simin moves out of their house and Nader hires a young religious woman, Razieh, to take care of his father while he works. The story follows the events that occur when Razieh’s husband discovers her working for the family and decides to take legal action. This leads to an escalating series of events that have a profound effect on all of their lives, as they all come to terms with the consequences of their actions. The film ultimately brings to light the difficulties of life in Iran, as well as the complex moral decisions that are faced by the characters.

From Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a science fiction romantic comedy-drama directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. It stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as Joel and Clementine, two people who meet and fall in love, but then undergo a procedure to erase all memories of each other when their relationship turns sour. The film follows Joel as he attempts to reverse the procedure and save his memories, while Clementine struggles to make sense of her life with her memories erased. Through flashbacks, the film explores the relationship between the two characters, their loves and losses, and ultimately the strength of their connection to one another.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert, Hanno Pöschl
Rated R

Before Sunrise is a 1995 American romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The plot follows Jesse (Hawke), a young American man, and Céline (Delpy), a young French woman, who meet on a train and disembark in Vienna, where they spend the night walking around the city and getting to know one another. They form a strong connection and decide to spend the night together, exploring the streets of Vienna and sharing their thoughts and dreams. As morning approaches, they realize they must part ways, having experienced an unforgettable night. They agree to meet again six months later, and the film ends with the two sharing a tender kiss at the train station.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff, Louise Lemoine Torrès
Rated R

Before Sunset is a 2004 romantic drama written and directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The film is a sequel to the 1995 film Before Sunrise. In Before Sunset, the two characters, Jesse (Hawke) and Celine (Delpy), who had a brief encounter in Vienna nine years earlier, meet again by chance in Paris. They spend the day together and Jesse confesses to Celine that he never stopped thinking about her. As the sun sets, Jesse and Celine have a deep conversation about their lives and love and contemplate a potential future together. At the end of the film, the audience is left to ponder whether the two characters will reunite after nine years or part ways again.

From Lenny Abrahamson, starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Wendy Crewson
Rated R

Room is a 2015 drama film directed by Lenny Abrahamson and written by Emma Donoghue, based on her 2010 novel of the same name. The story follows a five-year-old boy, Jack, who is held captive in a room with his mother, Ma. As Jack develops and forms a bond with his mother, he begins to experience the world beyond the walls of the room for the first time. Ma, who has been held captive for seven years, must protect Jack as well as plan their escape. In the process, Ma and Jack learn to face their fears and discover the power of hope, love, and resilience in the face of incredible adversity.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Goya Toledo, Álvaro Guerrero
Rated R

Amores Perros is an Academy Award-nominated Mexican drama film written and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. The film is set in Mexico City and follows three separate storylines, all connected by a car accident. The film explores love, loss, and loyalty through the lives of three individuals – Octavio, Valeria, and Daniel – and their interwoven stories over the course of twelve years. Octavio is young and poor, and his life is changed when he falls in love with his brother's wife, Valeria. In desperation, he turns to dog fighting to make money, which leads to the accident. Valeria and her dog survive the crash, but her life is irrevocably changed. Daniel, a magazine publisher, is recovering from a failed marriage, and he begins a relationship with Valeria. The film explores how the lives of these three individuals, and those around them, are transformed by the accident.

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a science-fiction romantic comedy-drama set in the near future that tells the story of a lonely writer, Theodore Twombly (played by Joaquin Phoenix), who falls in love with a highly intelligent computer operating system that has a female voice. As their relationship intensifies, Theodore faces the challenge of being in a relationship with a being that is not human. The film explores the complexities of the human need for connection and love, and how technology can influence and affect our lives.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Ariane Labed
Rated R

Before Midnight focuses on the nine-year relationship between Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) as they spend a summer vacation in Greece with their twin daughters. As Jesse's teenage son from a previous marriage visits for the summer, the couple must face the challenges of their long-term relationship and the possibility of a future together. Through conversations with friends, family, and each other, Celine and Jesse explore their love, their dreams, and their fears, exposing the frustrations and joys of an adult relationship. As their vacation draws to a close, they must decide whether to embark on a new life together or part ways.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Elijah Smith
Rated R

"Boyhood" is a coming-of-age drama that follows a young boy named Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from age 5 to 18. Over the course of 12 years, the film depicts his journey into adulthood and the major life events that shape him along the way. The film stars Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's divorced parents, who are both struggling to raise their two children while dealing with their own personal issues and problems. Mason's life experiences include a number of milestones, including going to school, making friends, developing romantic relationships, and learning how to cope with his parents' divorce. The film explores a number of themes, including the struggles of growing up, family dynamics, and the power of love and friendship.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Rosario Flores, Javier Cámara, Darío Grandinetti, Leonor Watling
Rated R

"Talk to Her" is a 2002 Spanish drama film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The film follows two men, Benigno and Marco, who develop a unique friendship through their mutual affection for two women who are both in comas. Benigno is a male nurse who falls in love with his patient, while Marco is a journalist who befriends the family of his former girlfriend who is also in a coma. Through their different perspectives, the two men explore the depths of human connection in unexpected ways and are brought together in the end through their shared experience of love and loss.

From Matt Ross, starring Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay, Samantha Isler, Annalise Basso
Rated R

Captain Fantastic is a 2016 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Matt Ross and starring Viggo Mortensen as Ben Cash, a father raising his six children in a self-sufficient manner in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, far away from modern society. Ben is devoted to teaching his children the ideals of a counterculture lifestyle, and has contempt for the materialism of mainstream society. When a family tragedy forces them out of their isolated life, Ben is forced to confront his beliefs and decide what kind of life he wants for his children. Along the journey, Ben and his family grapple with questions of freedom, love, loyalty, and what it means to be a real family.

From Kenneth Lonergan, starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
Rated R

Manchester by the Sea tells the story of Lee Chandler, a brooding, irritable loner who works as a handyman in Boston. When Lee learns that his older brother Joe has died, he returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the small fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. He is shocked to learn that Joe has made him guardian of his teenage son, Patrick. In Manchester, Lee is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi, and the community he abandoned. He struggles to come to terms with his changing circumstances, while finding solace and humor in his friendship with his nephew. Manchester by the Sea is a story of redemption, as Lee gradually confronts his past and the possibility of a different life. Ultimately, he learns to accept and embrace the loss, joy, and complexity of life.

From Luca Guadagnino, starring Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar
Rated R

Call Me by Your Name is a 2017 coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino. The film stars Timothée Chalamet as Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old Jewish-American boy, who lives in Italy in the summer of 1983 with his parents. He meets and falls in love with his father’s research assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer). Amidst their growing attraction, Elio and Oliver explore their budding relationship, both physical and emotional, with caution and hesitance. As the summer progresses, Elio and Oliver discover the beautiful and sophisticated depths of their connection, even as their time together is cut short. Through heartfelt conversations and intimate moments, the two reflect on their relationship, leaving a lasting impression on one another.

From John Hughes, starring Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
Rated R

The Breakfast Club is a 1985 American teen comedy-drama film written and directed by John Hughes. It follows five teenagers—John Bender, Claire Standish, Andrew Clark, Allison Reynolds, and Richard Vernon—during a Saturday detention in the library of their high school. Through their interactions, the five reveal their individual personalities and attempt to find common ground. The film explores themes of teenage alienation, social ostracism, and parental pressure, as well as individuality and acceptance. The Breakfast Club is considered a classic of its era and one of the defining films of the 1980s.

From Asif Kapadia, starring Amy Winehouse, Mitch Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Russell Brand
Rated R

Amy is a documentary film released in 2015 and directed by Asif Kapadia. It tells the story of Amy Winehouse, an English singer and songwriter whose immense talent and charisma propelled her to fame in the early 2000s. The film uses archival footage and interviews with friends and family to trace her life from her childhood and meteoric rise to fame to her struggles with addiction and mental health issues, ultimately leading to her death in 2011. The film is a portrait of a creative genius whose short but highly successful career was tragically cut short. It explores the issues of fame, addiction and the pressures of the music industry on a young star.

From Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, starring Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Nick Offerman
Rated PG-13

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film written by Jesse Andrews and directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. The film follows Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann), an awkward high school student who spends most of his time making parodies of classic films with his friend Earl (RJ Cyler). When Greg's mother forces him to befriend a classmate, Rachel (Olivia Cooke), diagnosed with leukemia, he slowly discovers the value of friendship and empathy. Through his and Earl’s touching relationship with Rachel, Greg learns to appreciate the beauty of life and how to make meaningful connections with people. The film is ultimately a story about love, loss, and growing up.

From Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Rated R

Lost in Translation is a 2003 American romantic comedy-drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Sofia Coppola. The film stars Bill Murray as aging actor Bob Harris, who befriends college graduate Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) in a Tokyo hotel. As the two look for solace in an alien city, they form an unlikely bond and explore the city together. The film focuses on themes of loneliness, culture shock, and existential ennui, and examines the relationship between an aging American movie star and a young college graduate. It is a story of two people searching for meaning in a foreign city and finding it in each other. Ultimately, the film is a meditation on life, love, and friendship, and how a brief connection can have a lasting impact.

From Tony Kaye, starring Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu
Rated Not Rated

Detachment is a powerful and moving drama about a substitute teacher, Henry Barthes (Adrien Brody), who enters a public high school with a mission to remain emotionally detached from his students and their problems. Henry quickly finds himself being pulled into the lives of the students and faculty he interacts with and is forced to confront the dark secrets of his own past. In the process, he learns valuable lessons about life, love, and the power of human connection. Along with a strong cast of supporting characters, Detachment is a beautifully crafted movie that will leave you with a lasting impression.

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim, Ali Mosaffa, Pauline Burlet
Rated PG-13

The Past is a 2013 Iranian-French drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, starring Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim, Ali Mosaffa, and Pauline Burlet. It tells the story of Ahmad, an Iranian man who returns to France after four years to finalize his divorce with his estranged wife Marie. As the two make arrangements for the divorce, they must also grapple with the presence of Samir, Marie’s new partner, and her children from past relationships. Ahmad must now confront his past and the secrets it holds, while at the same time struggling to come to terms with the present and its complexities. As the story unfolds, the secrets and lies of the characters become more and more apparent, and the truth of their relationships are slowly revealed. The film is ultimately a powerful examination of how the past can continue to haunt those in the present.

From Abdellatif Kechiche, starring Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Salim Kechiouche, Aurélien Recoing
Rated NC-17

Blue Is the Warmest Colour is a French coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Abdellatif Kechiche. The film stars Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos as two young women who develop a passionate relationship as they explore their sexual identities. The film follows Adèle, a French high-school student, who goes through an intense journey of self-discovery when she meets Emma, a blue-haired art student. As their relationship deepens, both go through a series of ups and downs, as they deal with social pressure, their families, and struggles within their relationship. The film received critical acclaim, with an extended 6-minute kiss sequence between the two women that was highly praised by critics. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, making it the first LGBT-themed film to win the award.

From Alexander Payne, starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk
Rated R

Nebraska is a 2013 American black-and-white comedy-drama film directed by Alexander Payne and written by Bob Nelson. The film follows a middle-aged alcoholic Omaha resident (Bruce Dern) who believes he has won a million dollar sweepstakes and travels to Lincoln, Nebraska, with his estranged son (Will Forte) to claim the prize. Along the way, they experience a series of misadventures and confrontations with family members and old friends. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Dern.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson and follows the dysfunctional Tenenbaum family. Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) is a shady lawyer and patriarch of the family. He has been absent for many years, but decides to come back to his family to make amends. His wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) is a successful businesswoman and mother to the three Tenenbaum children: Chas (Ben Stiller), a financial guru; Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), an adopted playwright; and Richie (Luke Wilson), a former tennis prodigy. The Tenenbaum siblings must grapple with the long-term effects of their parents' neglect, as well as the romantic entanglements that stem from their return. With the help of a family friend (Owen Wilson), Royal attempts to reconnect with his children, leading to a dramatic and comedic look at family relationships.

From Noah Baumbach, starring Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver, Michael Zegen
Rated R

From Greta Gerwig, starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges
Rated R

From James Franco, starring James Franco, Dave Franco, Ari Graynor, Seth Rogen
Rated R