Love Lessons From the Movies

Discover the seven timeless love lessons from some of our iconic movies.

Romantic films have given us some of the most unforgettable experiences in the cinema; often it’s their connection to love in the real world that makes their stories last forever. Across decades of storytelling, our romance films explore love in all its forms: imperfect, joyful, painful, funny, fleeting, and transformative.

Here are seven lessons to take from the big screen, with the moments and characters that made them iconic.

Lesson 1: Love Doesn’t Mean Perfect

Love isn’t smooth or effortless - it’s emotional, flawed, and often hard work.

In The Notebook, Noah and Allie’s relationship is shaped by conflict as much as devotion. The reality of love has its ups and downs, no matter how perfect for each other two people might be.

Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) puts it perfectly when he declares that whatever it takes and however it looks, he wants to be with Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams). “So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard; and we're gonna have to work at this every day, but I wanna do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.”

In Boxing Day, from past family trauma to reuniting with exes, Melvin and Lisa must learn to embrace the imperfections in their lives in order to be happy in their relationship.

“It'll be all right in the end. If it's not all right, then it's not the end.”
Billy reassuring Melvin that no matter how hard things may seem, life and love will find a way.

These stories teach us that it’s not always smooth sailing, but it doesn't have to mean defeat either.

Lesson 2: Love Does Not Always Have Closure

Love may be impermanent but transformative.

In Before Sunrise, Jesse and Celine’s time together may be brief, but it stays with them and reshapes their look on life.

“Why do you think everybody thinks relationships are supposed to last forever anyway?”
Jesse offers Celine a profound and different look on love, one that contemplates the longevity of relationship standards.

In My Own Private Idaho, Mike Waters is secretly in love with his best friend Scott Favor, but this love is one-sided and ultimately Scott moves on without him.

“I'm a connoisseur of roads. I've been tasting roads my whole life. This road will never end. It probably goes all around the world”
Mike’s metaphor for his continued feelings for Scott, despite them being unrequited.

These stories relay that people may move on, but the love you feel for them can stay on and have a lasting impact.

Lesson 3: Sometimes Love Means Letting Go

Sometimes the happy ending isn’t conventional, because the greatest romances can still exist even when two people don’t end up together.

In Casablanca, Rick makes the ultimate romantic sacrifice at the airport, choosing Ilsa’s future over his own happiness.

“We’ll always have Paris.”
Talk about iconic movie quotes. Rick Blaine’s most infamous line, as he says goodbye to Ilsa before she must leave for good.

In Me Before You, love is expressed through encouragement rather than possession. Will knows that however painful it will be for Lou, he must urge her to live fully beyond him.

“Just live. Live boldly.”
Will’s final letter to Lou, giving instructions on how she should continue without him.

Both films remind us it’s okay that even the deepest love might not mean forever.

Lesson 4: Sometimes the Right Person Arrives at the Wrong Time

Love can be right… but the timing all wrong.

In The Time Traveler’s Wife, Clare (Rachel McAdams) expresses the pain of loving someone who can’t stay, as her husband Henry (Eric Bana) has a time travel disorder that he can’t control.

“I wish I could have met you at the right time.”
Clare Abshire, reflecting on her relationship with Henry.

In The Lake House, Kate and Alex’s connection transcends even the barrier of time that keeps them apart, as they communicate through letters even though they’re living two years apart.

“One man I can never meet. Him, I would like to give my whole heart to.”
Kate Forster, on loving a man she’s permanently separated from.

These examples teach us that the ‘Right Person, Wrong Time’ can be true.

Lesson 5: Love Starts with Yourself

Not every love story ends with a couple - some end with self-discovery.

In Crazy Rich Asians, thrown into a world of riches and socialites, Rachel must redefine her value through self-love and rise above her boyfriend’s critical family.

“I'm not leaving because I'm scared, or because I think I'm not enough - because maybe for the first time in my life, I know I am.”
Rachel finds the strength to put herself first and wants Nick’s family to know just that.

In Isn’t It Romantic, Natalie (Rebel Wilson) finds herself thrusted into an alternative rom-com universe, filled with the predictable tropes that she’s always despised.

“I love me.”
Through it all, Natalie gets to a place where she chooses self-worth over romantic validation.

Together, these films reposition self-love as essential, not selfish.

Lesson 6: Love Needs Vulnerability

Love can be scary, but it is necessary to leave your comfort zone in the pursuit of it.

From the incredible Nancy Meyers comes Something’s Gotta Give, in which Harry (Jack Nicholson) confronts a newfound vulnerability for the first time (thanks to a surprise acquaintance, Erica (Diane Keaton)).

“This is the first time I’ve ever really cared about somebody other than myself.”
Harry Sanborn lays out his true feelings for Erica.

In Crazy, Stupid, Love, Jacob Palmer puts his playboy lifestyle to rest when he meets Hannah and opens up to true love for the first time.

"I'm wildly unhappy, and I'm trying to buy it, and it's not working."
Jacob Palmer admitting to Hannah that he was unsatisfied with his past fake persona.

These stories show that without honesty and the ability to open yourself up to others, love is hard to come by.

Lesson 7: Love Can’t Fix Someone Who Isn’t Ready to Heal

Sometimes co-dependency can be mistaken for love, but they cannot replace the need to heal first.

In A Star Is Born, Ally and Jackson’s relationship goes through many ups and downs. Romantic, raw, intense, and at times, unhealthy, their love for each other is undeniable but not always healthy. It takes strength for the pair to distinguish between the idolised and real parts of their relationship, but ultimately they need to fix themselves as individuals.

“Tell me something, boy. Aren't you tired trying to fill that void? Or do you need more? Ain't it hard keeping it so hardcore?”
Allie nods to Jackson’s hidden struggles in their song, Shallow.

In Euphoria, Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer) fall hard and fast but become codependent on each other due to their past issues, such as Jules’ previous toxic relationships and Rue’s struggle with addiction.

“Real love is when you can't exist without someone, when you'd rather die than be apart...”
Rue’s perception of love speaks volumes.

These relationships teach us that although love comes in all forms, not all of them will be healthy.

Conclusion

These romance films remind us that love isn’t one story. It’s many. Its magical, it’s sad, it’s eternal and it’s temporary. They may not all promise perfect endings but what they all share is honesty. The honesty that love is something shaped by choice, timing, courage, and growth.

Whether you want to laugh, cry or heal this Valentine’s Day, you’ll find it all in our Romance Collection for your next movie night!