The greatest love stories don’t always last forever. Sometimes, though, it is exactly that ephemeral nature that makes these romances so beautiful and impactful in the first place.
Here are four romance movies that capture the heartbreak of meeting the right person at the wrong time.
1. Atonement (2007)
Atonement, based on the novel of the same name by Ian McEwan, is a devastating English drama starring Keira Knightley as Cecilia Tallis and James McAvoy as Robbie Turner, a couple ripped apart due to a false accusation made by Cecilia’s jealous younger sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan). As a result, Robbie is sent to jail for a crime he did not commit.
Set during the Second World War, Cecilia and Robbie are eventually able to confess their love to one another before Robbie is sent off to fight in the war. Having one of the greatest plot twists ever, Atonement is devastating, haunting, and beautiful. Just make sure you have tissues handy.
2. Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Sunrise is a bygone love story that unfolds over a single day. Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) cross paths on a train and decide to spend the day together in Vienna.
The film primarily focuses on Celine and Jesse’s profound chemistry and instantaneous connection through their intimate and tender conversations. Despite the fact they both know goodbye is on its way, Celine and Jesse still lean into the romance.
3. Lovesong (2016)
Neglected by her husband, Sarah (Riley Keough) takes the opportunity to go on an impromptu road trip with her best friend Mindy (Jena Malone) while her husband is away on a business trip. On the road, their friendship begins to evolve into something more. However, circumstances force the best friends apart and they end up not speaking for several years.
When Mindy is getting married, she ends up inviting Sarah to the wedding. From there, it is abundantly and heartbreakingly clear that love really was there; it was just the wrong time.
4. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
If you’re in the mood to ugly cry, Call Me By Your Name will do the trick. In Timothee Chalamet’s breakout role, he plays Elio, a 17-year-old who is spending the summer at his family’s villa in Lombardy, Italy during the summer of 1983. There, he meets Oliver (Arnie Hammer), a 24-year-old graduate student working as an intern for Elio’s father for the summer.
Call Me By Your Name is a coming-of-age story as Elio comes to terms with his sexuality and what it means to love and what it means to have to let it go at times. But mostly, Elio discovers the power and necessity of feeling, even when it aches. Even if it shatters your heart.
