Ten Love Stories That Are Better Than ‘The Notebook’

7. Groundhog Day

What’s it about? Phil (Bill Murray) is a TV meteorologist who is kind of a jerk, and that fact is exacerbated by the fact he has to report on Groundhog Day at Punxsutawney, Pennslyvania. Phil tries his best to get in and out of Punxsutawney, but unfortunately a blizzard shuts down the area and keeps him in town.  Much to Phil’s dismay, he wakes up to find out he is reliving Groundhog Day for an eternity. The film progresses as Phil figures out the best way to take advantage of the repeating day. Things change for Phil as he starts to fall in love with his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell), and begins to better himself as a person for her.

Why is it better than The Notebook? It’s a supernatural film that never tries to explain the cause, only the motivations of the characters contained with in it. Murray’s transformation is nothing short of  amazing. When you take in the fact that some fan theories have Phil stuck in a time loop for thousands of years, it gets even more interesting. What could be a simple comedy turns into a great conversation piece, and an endlessly entertaining watch. MacDowell and Murray have an easy chemistry that gives the romance of the film some weight. It’s highly likely that without Murray’s unique brand of humor the film would have fallen flat on its face.  It doesn’t have the timeless everlasting love of The Notebook, but it does contain a romantic desperation that isn’t contained in many other films.

6.  Moulin Rouge!

What’s it about? Christian (Ewan McGregor) is a penniless writer who believes in the Bohemian ideals of “Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love”. His naivety brings him to the center of the Bohemian revolution, to Paris, and the Moulin Rouge. Christian is revealed to be a talented writer who writes a show to hide the love between himself and the prize jewel of the Moulin Rouge, Satine (Nicole Kidman). The two must hide their love because Satine is promised to an angry Duke who is financing the renovation of the Moulin Rouge for a stage show, in which Christian is writing and Satine is starring. The play within a film mirrors the progression of the characters, and forshadows a dark ending.

Why is it better than The Notebook? Moulin Rouge is an exciting mix of color, large film sets, and pop songs reworked sensationally to tell a story of true love.  Everything in the film is big, from the score, the visuals, and the love story. It’s no more forced than the story contained within The Notebook, but it fits within a narrative that is meant to be over the top. The song and dance lend a power to the film that is electrifying.  The film might have been higher on the list had Nicole Kidman rose to the levels of Ewan McGregor’s fantastic performance. The story may be slightly tragic, but after watching it you’ll be hard pressed to find another film that tells a story of young and fleeting love like Moulin Rouge.

5. Love Actually

What’s it about?  An ensemble film that contains 9 different stories intertwined with each other in England during the Christmas holiday. The film contains stories about first loves, unrequited loves, love that crosses language barriers, love for family, love for a best friend, and more. Each story has some element that ties it to the other, giving the film a nice cohesive story.

Why is it better than The Notebook? Just by quantity alone Love Actually wins out. However, by that standard we could also award Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve, films that tried to copy the formula of Love Actually, a spot above The Notebook. What makes Love Actually so good is that each story of love is unique, and all of them feel pretty honest. Who hasn’t had a thing for the girlfriend of a friend? Who doesn’t remember their first love in grade school, and how dire of an urge it was? Even if you haven’t experienced all the situations, they are all endearing. Some are a bit goofier than others, but all end on notes that are hard not to get excited about. The film also might be one of the best non-traditional Christmas movies since Die Hard.  Given a chance both men and women will enjoy the lengthy romantic comedy.

4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

What’s it about? Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) aren’t even close to the same type of people, but opposites attract. After a chance meeting on a train, the two immediately have a connection. It comes as a shock that the two were previously in a two-year relationship, but have no recollection of it. Joel and Clementine had their memories erased by a firm that specializes in such procedures, due to a harsh end to their relationship. Much of the film is spent in weird recollection of  their previous relationship. After struggling with their problems the majority of the film, the couple decides to give it another try.

Why is it better than The Notebook? Love isn’t always perfect. Sometimes people who are the best for each other have moments where they can’t stand each other. What if you were given a chance to lose all that baggage? Would you? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind brings up many of these questions, but ultimately lands on the fact that sometimes people are just meant to be together. The Charlie Kaufman penned script is trippy little sci-fi that has a feel completely of its own, but the insights it has makes it one of the most beautiful films of the past ten years. It’s disorienting, complicated, but director Michel Gondry creates a romance that is unlikely to be topped in its uniqueness at any time.