Welcome to 2021, hopeful romantics! To kick off the new year, we'll be going back in time to watch some of our team's favourite period pieces. It should be noted that this list is a pretty even split between rom coms and romantic dramas (rom drams? idk). For your reference, the first five movies are on the rom com side, while the following six lean more towards drama, but all are definitely worth a watch!
January is the perfect month for this topic because Pride and Prejudice is one of the original rom-coms (at least as far as our co-president Kate is concerned) and it was published on the 28th of January 1813. You might notice that Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Austen in general, feature prominently on this list ;)
Sense and Sensibility
Netflix Canada, Crave
There’s nothing like the magic of watching this movie for the first time. Oscar-winning, dazzling, and underpinned by a talented cast (Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, and more), Sense and Sensibility is Alexa’s personal favourite film adaptation of Jane Austen’s novels. Willoughby, Ferrars, and Brandon leave audiences in suspense, yearning, and occasionally indignant and enchanted. Sense and Sensibility adds another, convincing argument to the age-old question, “Would it really be a British romantic comedy without Hugh Grant?”
- Alexa
Shakespeare in Love
Criterion On Demand
Be transported back to Elizabethan England where a young William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is writing a play titled “Romeo and Ethel the Pirate’s Daughter.” Enter Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) - a wealthy lady who dreams of being an actor but is doomed to be married off as per her parents’ wishes. Viola dresses up as a boy and auditions for “Romeo and Ethel the Pirate’s Daughter,” ultimately resulting in Viola and Will falling in love. The movie parallels Romeo and Juliet (for obvious reasons)... so expect some dramatic balcony scenes. The theatre is perpetually at risk of being shut down by the plague in this movie - which is very relatable right now!
- Emma
Emma (2020)
Crave
Jane Austen may have set out to create “a heroine whom no one but [herself would] much like,” but the headstrong, spoiled, and meddling Emma has captured many hearts (including those of a few suitors) with her intelligence, beauty, and desire to play matchmaker. Possibly the best of the many adaptations of Austen’s novel, Emma (2020) is visually gorgeous and quietly funny in a way that makes the titular character’s many faults and mis-steps entertaining, and each romantic gesture even more exciting.
- Kate
Love & Friendship
Criterion on Demand, Amazon Prime
Love & Friendship is a Jane Austen-inspired film set in the 1790s. The movie revolves around Lady Susan Vernon, a charming and attractive widow, who is determined to correct (what she perceives as) untrue rumours circulating about her and to find suitable marriages for both herself and her daughter. Lots of gossiping and scheming about marriage in this movie… but don’t worry, all will end well! There is a comedic edge to it that makes it enjoyable - it is a fun and lighthearted watch.
- Emma
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
* not currently available on any streaming services!
This version of Pride & Prejudice is the cornerstone for period pieces in the 21st century. The costumes are a little bit more modern and the hairstyles aren’t as over the top, but it still delivers the brilliance of Jane Austen's timeless piece that always seems to be the basis of any romantic period piece. Keira Knightly is absolutely gorgeous and fits the role of Elizabeth Bennet like a glove, and Matthew MacFadyen is a great Mr. Darcy that makes the character seem a little bit more vulnerable - almost fragile in comparison to Firth and Olivier who previously played Mr. Darcy. While many die-hard fans of Pride and Prejudice put the 1995 version way above the 2005 one, this version of the movie is still a must watch for how it beautifully incorporates cinematic landscapes with a great love story showcasing a strong female and a reluctant male lead.
- Ruiying
Little Women (2019)
Amazon Prime
A story about family, friendship, and freedom. Janelle loves this movie because of the bond between women and their strength to live boldly as themselves. This has something for everyone: childhood best friend, love triangles, someone suddenly getting sick… and awkward monologues into the camera??? This move showcases all kinds of love. Janelle has watched the YouTube clips more than 10 times in one day, because Timothée Chalamet breaks her heart in that ONE scene 🥺.
- Janelle
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Netflix Canada
Even though it leans more towards drama than comedy, this is an endearing and romantic movie about finding out where you belong in a turbulent world. Set shortly after the second world war, it follows a young writer named Juliet who connects with a member of the enigmatic literary and potato peel pie society on the island of Guernsey. While Juliet tries to write an article about their experiences during the war, she uncovers the mysterious history of the society, including why they make potato peel pie!
- Kate
Titanic
Netflix Canada, Criterion On Demand
If reading the name of this film doesn’t spark frustration about buoyancy and wood, you should fix that. Aside from the usual audience angst and tragedy, Titanic leaves viewers reminiscing about wild, windswept, adventurous, and rebellious first love. While many jokes and scenes have become infamous, this three-hour film is worth the time commitment, buoyed by Kate Winslet (as always) and Leonardo DiCaprio, whose undeniable chemistry is perfectly captured. We all know how this ends (and if you don’t, there’s a large rock you’ve been living under that you should remedy), but there is something wonderfully rebellious about falling in love with these characters anyway.
- Alexa
Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)
Criterion On Demand
Based on the classic novel written by Thomas Hardy, this movie is a bit grittier than Jane Austen. Set during the Victorian era in a rural farming community in England, the story follows Bathsheba Everdene; an independent and free spirited woman. She is pursued by three suitors throughout the movie: Gabriel Oak the sheep farmer, Sergeant Troy the handsome soldier, and William Boldwood, her neighbour. Fortunes are reversed, there is tragedy, heartbreak, and love. This movie will make you consider the double standards imposed on women at the time, as well as how timing impacts a relationship.
- Emma
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Netflix Canada, Criterion On Demand
This movie isn’t a rom-com, however, we liked it so much, we had to include it. Gatsby is a true romantic at heart, which is something we as a club can appreciate :) While his scheme to win back Daisy is questionable (disappear for 5 years, amass large amounts of money, buy a large house across the bay, and then throw lavish parties in hopes she shows up), Gatsby is forever a dreamer with utter faith in his plans. The era of the roaring twenties being brought to life through this movie makes it a mesmerizing watch. If the romance plotline doesn’t capture your heart… watch the movie for the commentary about class structure and capitalism interwoven throughout. This version stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan. Moreover, all the glitzy and glamorous parties will make you long for the days you could go to a party.
- Emma
Brooklyn
Criterion on Demand
Saoirse Ronan shines brightly in this romantic drama, which lets viewers experience both 1950s America and Ireland. Torn between two worlds, Brooklyn explores the coming of age of a young Irish immigrant. The men of this film are sweet, charming, and admittedly somewhat awkward, but viewers leave enamoured with the way Saoirse carries herself through her choices between past and future. The film presents love with reality, honesty, and a sweet hopefulness, in a way that resonates strongly with viewers.
- Alexa
Carol
Criterion on Demand, Amazon Prime
Set in 1950s New York City, Carol, a wealthy, fabulous older woman (Cate Blanchett) meets a young store clerk and aspiring photographer named Therese (Rooney Mara). They soon begin an unexpected affair that’s tested by Carol’s tense relationship with her estranged husband and her desire to stay in her young daughter’s life. Carol is a beautifully understated romantic drama that doubles as a belated holiday movie - the two women meet while Carol is buying her daughter a train set for Christmas. To top it off, it has a gorgeous soundtrack, and the incredible Sarah Paulson as Carol’s best friend Abby.
- Kate
Honourable Mentions
Even though we tend to focus on romantic comedies in movie form, these series are too good to miss, especially if you're a fan of the above films!
Mini-Series: Pride and Prejudice
Although it isn’t a movie, this six-episode mini-series is a very faithful adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, from the dialogue to the costumes and set design. It’s also the adaptation that inspired Helen Fielding to write Bridget Jones’ Diary. Best of all, it’s got Colin Firth as the perfect Mr. Darcy (you can’t convince me otherwise). One of the highlights of the show is his famous “lake scene” that inspired a huge statue in Hyde Park! https://entertainment.time.com/2013/07/10/colin-firths-wet-mr-darcy-finally-immortalized/
- Kate
Bridgerton
If you’re aching for another dramatic period piece set in the 1800s with a bit of spice and everything nice then Bridgerton might be the Shonda Rhimes calling you’re looking for. While this show is set in historical Britain, absolutely nothing about this show is historically accurate - there’s not even a nod to propriety or history - but don’t let that pull you away from watching this show. Enjoy this show for what it is, which is over the top flamboyant costumes, star-crossed lovers that are so wrong but so right for each other, and an amazing soundtrack with violin covers of your favourite artists such as Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish.
- Ruiying
North and South
This show is definitely for the fans who are die-hard for Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy instead of Matthew Macfadyen. With a wholesome cast, authentic settings, and pretty accurate costumes, this series was incredible throughout. North and South is about the love story between Margaret Hale and John Thornton and their unconventional attraction in the town of Milton. As the name suggests, both Margaret and John’s personalities are like polar opposites, just like North and South.
- Ruiying
Book Recommendation
If you didn't get enough Pride and Prejudice on this list, read on! (And keep reading until you've finished this amazing book.)
Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
Smart, witty, and romantic, reading Pride and Prejudice is a great introduction to Jane Austen’s catalogue of novels. It’s got all the best and most classic rom-com tropes like enemies to lovers and conflict via miscommunication woven into an intelligent story about overcoming your preconceptions about others. (Did you know that the novel’s working title was actually “First Impressions?”) If you love strong-willed protagonists, shy love interests, wacky parents, annoying siblings, or falling in love against all odds, this book has something for you!
- Kate
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