No tropes, no grand declarations. Just pure melancholy delivered by heart-aching conversations and longing

Words Mika Geronimo
April 1, 2024

Awards season contender Past Lives marked Korean-Canadian playwright Celine Song’s breakthrough feature film debut. The romance drama captured the hearts of critics and audiences well beyond the festival circuit, thanks to its purposeful cinematography and contemplative subject matter.

Past Lives chronicles the enduring bond between two childhood best friends over 24 years, as they are separated and changed by distance and their respective careers. The film delves into the quintessential “What ifs” one may ponder but fear confronting.

While the film's narrative is tranquil, its emotional depth arises from heartfelt, honest conversations between its leads. This intimacy alone makes it a poignant representation of modern love.

Past Lives is among many romance films that attract viewers with their naturalistic treatment and fluid dialogue. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or were moved by Past Lives, these five equally contemplative romantic dramas are sure to resonate—so have those tissues ready.

In the Mood for Love (2001)

When discussing seminal romance films, it's impossible to overlook Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood for Love, which has established itself as a cinematic masterpiece. Bathed in passionate, lush colors, the film has left an indelible visual impression on cinema. However, its emotionally intimate portrayal of desire is what truly sets it apart. By leaving physicality to the imagination, the romance focuses on longing looks and missed connections.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation is a transient narrative that follows two isolated individuals finding solace in each other during their time in culturally diverse Japan. While the film's hazy yet picturesque aesthetic is noteworthy, its sporadic improvised dialogues and sequences between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson create a more intimate narrative – a departure from popular romantic conventions of its time.

Before Sunset (2004)

The second installment in Richard Linklater's renowned “Before” trilogy, Before Sunset continues the story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) after their initial meeting nine years prior. Both in different relationships and leading distinct lives, Before Sunset explores their chemistry through dialogue alone, as they traverse a city in a brief yet palpable timeframe.

Once (2007)

Before becoming the source of one of the most popular wedding songs, the Irish romantic musical film Once was a modest production starring musical duo Swell Season, composed of musicians-turned-actors Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Beneath its indie charm, the film portrays quiet romance with heartfelt lyricism instead of traditional conversational dialogue. Following its success, Once was rightfully adapted for the stage.

The Worst Person in the World (2021)

Whimsical and flawed, The Worst Person in the World, a favorite at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, marks the third installment in Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier’s Oslo trilogy. Beyond its specific setting and thematic elements, the film's painfully real exchanges and characterizations make it a standalone tribute to the complexities of adulthood and the difficult decisions that accompany it.