9 Best Long Distance Relationship Movies
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The Netflix ones Hello, goodbye and everything in between premiered in early July with its feel-good story about a couple figuring out if they’re going to break up before they leave for college. In today’s real-world circumstances, many can relate to questioning feelings of love, and there aren’t many movies that depict couples in long-distance relationships.
The outcome of any long distance relationship can range from happy endings to heartbreak, and many romantic movies have shown how each relationship will be different with its challenges. Of tragic romances like atonement to the sweetest narration a Going the Distanceeach has something to relate to, be it painful, cheesy, or hopeful.
Going the Distance (2010)
Rent on AppleTV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Redbox and Vudu
Starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, Going into the distance It’s likely one of the first movies that comes to mind when the discussion of long distance relationships comes up. The Nanette Burstein-directed film about a long-distance texting couple between New York and San Francisco stole the hearts of cheesy rom-com fans.
The dialogue can sound cheesy and certainly doesn’t age well in modern times. Still, the relationship itself is sweet, and it’s great for highlighting the obstructions that come with the territory, be it cynicism from family and friends, jealousy, or interests in career or location. It shows how the distance can be messy, but the love between Erin and Garrett is genuine, and they overcome these difficulties through some sacrifice.
10,000 km (2014)
Stream on Roku, Tubi TV, Redbox, Pluto TV and Plex
Following Alex (Natalia Tena) and Sergi (David Verdaguer), this 2014 Spanish film charts the challenges and creativity of a couple expressing love at a temporary distance after Alex receives a rare job opportunity.
There’s loneliness and beauty in the simple framing of the couple, each holding their laptop voice calls nearby like a person, especially with some effective reverse shots of them remaining on a call in bed. In everything Alex and Sergi do, they find comfort in having the voice of their loved one there, and their natural communication makes them a believable couple. There is some sweet comedy involved, such as the brilliant kitchen scene, but even the difficulties will bring tears to the eyes of viewers.
Like Crazy (2011)
Stream on HBO Max
Drake Doremus directed this tender and heartbreaking drama about partners Anna (Felicity Jones) and Jacob (Anton Yelchin), torn apart by visa complications. When it’s not the charmingly awkward chemistry, the sweet montages of somber piano or sultry silence convey an understanding between Anna and Jacob where no words are needed: they’re incredibly charming together.
It’s not a feel-good movie; the later drama can be hauntingly genuine or cynical, realistically portraying lost love and the arguments that ensue. It’s a movie about relationships that are as complicated as they are special, as well as the people who can get hurt while trying to find ways to make it work.
Ldr (2018)
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The shortest and most minimalistic choice of the lot is Ldr, a mini-film directed by and starring James Kleinmann about two men going through their relationship with online callers. It won’t win awards for best acting or story, but there are some examples of the comfort long-distance relationships can bring during personal adversity while depicting LGBTQ+ romance.
Ldr it’s mostly a story about James’ character. It’s an intimate relationship between two men, with its phone footage and sound issues making it real and relatable, but the crux is more about how loving and caring two people can still be while apart . It’s a strange romance with a happy ending, which is always necessary.
The Japanese Woman (2010)
This bittersweet Indian-Japanese romance was directed by Aparna Sen. Starring Rahul Bose as Snehamoy Chatterjee and Chigusa Takaku as Miyage, the film follows a couple who get married by letters without seeing each other face to face.
Distance is usually an obstacle to a relationship, however The Japanese woman treat it as a benefit. Miyage’s shy nature creates an appeal for the setup of their relationship, and the film shines a positive light, highlighting the differences in their cultures as part of the affection. What’s romantic isn’t just the letters themselves, but how long their marriage lasts and how it’s celebrated, especially seeing Snehamoy fly the kite his wife gives him on their fifteenth wedding anniversary. But it’s not a light comedy because of its heartbreaking final twist.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Stream on HBO Max
Director Nora Ephron carried the romance genre on her back in the 1990s and early 2000s, and in a way her long-distance films: You have an email i No sleep in Seattle — star Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
It’s definitely dated, but that’s part of the charm and at least it’s a crowd pleaser among the many sadder long-distance romance movies. Although dated, it is one of the best relationship movies online. Ryan radiates a combative charm and complements Hanks’ sarcasm and wit when they’re together, and there’s an honest love between them when they’re texting each other separately. For anyone who has started an online relationship, it also illustrates the difficulty and trepidation of finally getting together.
The Lunchbox (2013)
Broadcast on Starz
A beloved 2013 Hindi romantic drama centered on a love that develops through a mix-up in dabbawala – an Indian food delivery system. The late Irrfan Khan does so much with so little as the widower Saajan, growing again as a person in the process of sending letters to Ila (Nimrat Kaur).
It’s a warm and subtle film about how lost people, regardless of age, marriage or any problems in life, can still find happiness and how that happiness is found in sharing stories and connections. Long-distance relationships emphasize how two very separate lives come together, and this couple shows how their interactions bring strength to each of their lives.
Atonement (2007)
No romance list is complete without Ian McEwan’s 2007 film adaptation of Joe Wright and Christopher Hampton. atonement, a film about a growing girl’s misunderstanding that leads to the destruction of a love story. Due to the film’s narrative devices, some scenes exhibited by Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie (James McAvoy) are not technically real, but the love they share in their letters and time together still is.
Especially in the cafe scene, Cecilia’s gentle touch on Robbie’s cheek as they both enjoy their only time together is heartbreakingly real. Regardless of whether one still chooses to feel inspired by the love in the scenes added by Briony, one must remember the chemistry between the two characters and their tragic relationship.
Voices from a Distant Star (2002)
For people who want a little break from the typical romance movies, Makoto Shinkai’s Voices from a distant star (or Hoshi No Koe) features a long-distance short film against a sci-fi backdrop. The twenty-five-minute film is not as happy or well-known as Your namebut unlike that film, it does much better with the sincere emotion of showing protagonists Mikako and Noboru desperate to communicate with each other, regardless of time, space, or war.
The mecha-anime segments are small, and the main draw is the spoken desire to be together, looking at each other’s texts with Noboru achingly waiting for the next text from a lover, who might already be dead. It’s a cruel story to watch, but their love is inspiring.
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