Sad Movies About Love

From Roberto Benigni, starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Rated PG-13

Life is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian comedy-drama film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni. It tells the story of a Jewish Italian (Guido Orefice) who, with his family, is sent to a concentration camp during World War II. In order to protect his son from the horrors of the camp, he deliberately turns the experience into a game, pretending that the camp is a grand adventure. As the camp's conditions worsen, Guido's courage in the face of the horrors of the camp is tested and ultimately he sacrifices himself for his son. The film, although tragic in its subject matter, is ultimately uplifting due to its strong message of hope and family.

From James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves, Stephen Rea
Rated R

V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowskis, based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics limited series of the same name. The film takes place in a dystopian future in the United Kingdom, which is ruled by a fascist government. It follows a mysterious anarchist known only as "V" (Hugo Weaving) who, along with his companion Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), plots to overthrow it with terrorist tactics. As the story progresses, V's motivations and background are revealed, and Evey's beliefs are challenged as she learns the truth about V's identity. The film features intense action sequences, complex themes of freedom, identity, and terrorism, and a stirring soundtrack by Dario Marianelli.

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling
Rated PG-13

The Notebook is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. It stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s. Noah Calhoun (Gosling) is a poor and passionate young man who is in love with a rich woman, Allie Hamilton (McAdams). When Allie's parents forbid them to be together, the two make a promise to meet at the same spot in a week's time, but Allie never shows up. Years later, Noah and Allie meet again and their love is rekindled. Despite the obstacles that keep them apart, they stay together as they strive to make their love last forever. The film follows their love story throughout the years, as they struggle to stay together despite the odds.

From Marc Webb, starring Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz
Rated PG-13

500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Marc Webb that follows the story of Tom Hanson (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) as they meet, fall in love, and eventually break up. Tom is a romantic, believing in true love, while Summer is more pragmatic and is not looking for a serious relationship. The film follows the 500 days of their relationship, including the highs, the lows, and their eventual breakup. Despite the heartbreaking ending, the film ultimately conveys the idea that life is full of ups and downs and that sometimes even when we think we’ve found true love, it simply doesn’t work out.

From John Curran, starring Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Catherine An
Rated PG-13

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Walter Raney
Rated PG-13

From Adam Shankman, starring Mandy Moore, Shane West, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah
Rated PG

From Robert Schwentke, starring Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston, Michelle Nolden
Rated PG-13

From Mark Romanek, starring Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Izzy Meikle-Small
Rated R

From Allen Coulter, starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Caitlyn Rund, Moisés Acevedo
Rated PG-13

From Richard LaGravenese, starring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Harry Connick Jr., Lisa Kudrow
Rated PG-13

From Lone Scherfig, starring Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson, Tom Mison
Rated PG-13

From Vincent Ward, starring Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra, Max von Sydow
Rated PG-13

From Michael Sucsy, starring Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Sam Neill, Jessica Lange
Rated PG-13

From Peter Segal, starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Sean Astin
Rated PG-13

From Edward Zwick, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Judy Greer, Oliver Platt
Rated R

From Scott Hicks, starring Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner, Riley Thomas Stewart
Rated PG-13

From Lasse Hallström, starring Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas
Rated PG-13