The best love stories to watch (to me anyway....)

February just started, which means that Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Although I am not a bit fan of those 'cheesy and easy'  romantic comedies, I love a great love story as much as the next girl. So, to get in the mood for St. Valentine, below my top ten favourite romantic movies. You might notice I have a weak spot for tragic (and often historical) loves....

10. P.S. I Love You

Cast: Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler
Summary: When Holly Kennedy loses the love of her life, the charming Irishman Gerry, when he dies of a brain tumor, it takes the life out of her. When she receives a cake on her 30th birthday, it comes with a tape recording of Gerry. Holly discovers that Gerry planned ahead, by writing her a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself.
Favourite quote: "It doesn't count when you're wearing Marc Jacobs from Minneapolis!" 

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9. The Notebook

Cast: Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams
Summary: In 1940s America, local country boy Noah Calhoun falls in love with young heiress Allie Hamilton, and they share a passionate summer love. But the pair is separated by Allie's disapproving parents, who move her away, and Allie's mother hides all letters sent by Noah. However, the story of their love, written in the eponymous notebook, proves that it really does conquer all.... even age.
Favourite quote: "That's my sweetheart in there. Wherever she is, that's where my home is."

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8. Beauty and the Beast

Cast: Voices by Paige O'Hara (Belle) and Robby Benson (Beast)
Summary: Do I even have to tell? I mean: books, magic and a candelabra called Lumière, does it get any better? 
Favourite quote: "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. 

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7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Cast: Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey
Summary: Joel Barish, heartbroken that his girlfriend Clementine underwent a procedure to erase him from her memory when their relationship turned sour, decides to do the same. But as Joel's memories progressively disappear, he begins to rediscover the love they had to begin with. From deep within his brain, Joel attempts to escape the procedure. 
Favourite quote: "Meet me in Montauk..." 

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6. Sissi

Cast: Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Böhm
Summary:  Princess Elisabeth, 'Sissi',  lives in Bavaria with her family. When her mother Ludovika is invited by her sister Archduchess Sophie to take Sissi's older sister Helene to the Austrian court in Ischl, in order to arrange a royal engagement for Helene and the young emperor Franz Joseph, Sissi goes along. However, Franz falls in love with the spontaneous Sissi, instead of the sophisticated Helene. Something his headstrong and arrogant mother doesn't approve of... (Alright so this one is a bit cheesy yes ;-) )

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5. Pride and Prejudice

Cast: Keira Knightley and Matthew McFayden
Summary: Based on the novel by Jane Austen by the same name, this is a classic tale of love and misunderstanding. When the spirited Elizabeth Bennett meets the handsome but proud Mr. Darcy she believes he is the last man on earth she could ever marry. But as their lives become intertwined, Lizzie finds herself captivated by the very person she swore to loathe for all eternity. 
Favourite quote: "Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment." 

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4. Roman Holiday

Cast: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck
Summary: When Princess Anne is visiting Rome during a highly publicised tour through Europe, she escapes her royal retainers and scampers incognito through the city. There she meets American journalist Joe Bradley who pretends that he doesn't recognize her and offers to give her a guided tour of Rome. Joe, recognizing a hot news story, hopes to get an exclusive interview but he falls in love with Anne instead. 
Favourite quote: " At midnight, I'll turn into a pumpkin and drive away in my glass slipper."

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3. Atonement 

Cast: Keira Knightley and James McAvoy
Summary: When 13-year-old Briony Tallis sees her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, a servant's son, at the fountain in front of the family estate she misinterprets what is happening. After the incident she discovers a lustful letter from Robbie intended for Cecilia and then concludes he must be a sex maniac. So when her cousin Lola is raped, she makes herself believe that it was Robbie she saw committing the deed and tells so to the police. This childish act has lasting repercussions for all of them. Also, Benedict Cumberbatch!   (although a bit on the creepy side....)
Favourite quote: "I love you. I'll wait for you. Come back. Come back to me."

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2. Downton Abbey Season 2 Christmas Special

Cast: Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens 
Summary: Not exactly a movie, but still worth to watch. Set at Christmas time 1919, we see how the Crawleys celebrate the holiday season. When Mary's fiancé Carlisle gets more annoyingly arrogant and jealous by the day, and her father Roberts learns of her 'Turkish'  secret, Mary decides to break of the engagement and then Matthew FINALLY proposes!
Favourite quote: "Life is a game in which the player must appear ridiculous."

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1. The English Patient

Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas and Ralph Fiennes
Summary: Near the end of WWII A burn victim, a nurse, a thief, and a sapper find themselves in an old Italian villa close. Through flashbacks of the burn victim, the story is told of Count Almásy, an Hungarian map maker who is on an archeological and surveying expedition in Egypt and Libya when he meets the beautiful and refined English Katherine Clifton, and her husband Geoffrey. Almásy and Katherine fall in love and have an affair, with tragic consequences....
Favourite quote: "I once traveled with a guide who was taking me to Faya. He didn't speak for nine hours. At the end of it he pointed at the horizon and said, "Faya!" That was a good day."

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So, naturally, I now want to know what romantic movies are your favourites!