Not many genres have made movies audiences love like doomed love. Since the 1980’s, stories of breakups have often made for engaging movies. Whether it’s shipwreck disasters, L.A. lovers or teenagers, the genre has created several compelling characters. Given the massive number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about breakups that deserve to be celebrated.
1. Kramer vs. Kramer
Divorce is a devastating process that caused families to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt endure broken marriages that caused grim damage. I recall the sad night when she had heated arguments with her great husband that had proved to be a shocking sight. In a sad incident, my aunt had tense arguments with her dire husband that caused dark feelings of resentment. Following the sad separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to easily move on. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big impact of divorce on broken families that face disaster as powerfully as “Kramer vs. Kramer”. Ever since its release in 1979, Robert Benton’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about breakups. With the greatest film of his career, Benton used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a marriage ending in despair. “Kramer v. Kramer” was a bold film in cinematic history becoming one of the first mainstream movies to address divorce. Benton has always had an aptitude for using montages in his movies, and “Kramer v. Kramer” showcased her strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Ted is aware that his wife is leaving him causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Dustin Hoffman, who embodies a man stuck in a broken marriage facing destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Kramer vs. Kramer” my favourite film about breaking up of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about divorce, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about couples ending marriage causing grim damage, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies which engage by a meaningful message.
2. A Separation
The Middle East is a misunderstood country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of an Arab kid that grew up in the country of Saudi Arabia. He often took great pride in his Arabian identity. My friend believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a country holding a precious place in his heart. As someone treasuring a friend that saw the Middle East with affection, I adored “A Separation”. Released in 2011, Asghar Farhadi’s Oscar-winning movie captured hardships faced by couples enduring breakups in Iran. Farhadi uses handheld camera to capture marriage in Iran. For instance, the opening scene in which Simin and Nader have a tense argument filing for divorce causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Peyman Moaadi, who embodied an Iranian man facing marriage tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “A Separation” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Iran targeted to citizens of the nation, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about separations which would resonate with everyone. A sad portrait of Iranian couples whose marriages deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making commemorated movies which audiences commonly appreciate.
3. Marriage Story
Breakups impact children whose parents end marriages in tragedy. Years ago, my cousin witnessed his parents separate in a divorce causing sorrow. Following the separation, my cousin was forced to make the difficult decision to choose which parent he wanted to live with. His decision to live with his mother forever destroyed his relationship with his father. As someone that has witnessed child custody, I adored “Marriage Story”. Released in 2019, Noah Baumbach’s movie captured impact of divorce on children. Baumbach has an aptitude for capturing marriages that experience disaster, and “Marriage Story” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Baumbach staged authentic scenes of couples arguing that are scarily true to reality. For instance, the scene in which Charlie and Nicole have an argument in their apartment causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the marriage genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Adam Driver, who embodies a man stuck in a broken marriage. Ultimately, what makes “Marriage Story” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about child custody which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of couples whose marriages experience tragedy, it’s a magnificent reminder of a genre that has manufactured great movies audiences love dearly.
4. La La Land
Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. I remember forming friendships with a girl in school that sought to become a famous actress. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was a girl I would always admire. However, he intense focus pursuing an acting career caused our relationship to face despair. Few films I’ve seen have captured sacrifices of achieving dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Released in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s musical masterpiece captured lovers pursuing careers in L.A. Chazelle used captivating montages to capture a couple of artists having breakups which are heartbreaking. For instance, the scene in which Sebastian has a tense argument with Mia about his career as a jazz musician leading to a breakup causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Emma Stone, who embodied an actress facing a dilemma. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about sacrifices involved in achieving dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as bonds between lovers in L.A., it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about the painful consequences of breakups causing a price to pay which are worth celebrating absolutely today.
5. Bright Star
Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far back as I remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. During childhood, I developed lifelong passions for writing about the art of filmmaking. Despite facing cyberbullying, nothing has stopped me from pursuing my passion for writing. As someone that has sought to become a writer reaching a high bar, I adored “Bright Star”. Released in 2009, Jane Campion’s movie captured the life of a legendary poet in English history. Campion successfully used montages capturing a legendary poet experiencing a breakup that’s devastating. For instance, the scene in which John Keats informs Fanny that they can’t meet anymore after he is diagnosed with terminal illness causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is Ben Whishaw, who portrayed a poet facing a tense breakup. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about poets, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of poetry to appreciate it. A powerful portrait of a poet readers celebrate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies audiences appreciate.
6. Brokeback Mountain
Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has often shied away from telling stories of queer lovers that are misunderstood. In an industry ignoring stories of queer lovers without compassion, it’s worth praising “Brokeback Mountain”. Released in 2005, Ang Lee’s movie captured breakups between queer lovers facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Brokeback Mountain” stand out is its depiction of queer love. Lee uses captivating montages capturing the frightening breakups between a pair of queer lovers that are fighting. Assisted by Heath Ledger who is extraordinary in the lead role, Lee created a captivating LGBTQ drama. A powerful portrait of the heavy burden that queer lovers bear, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies about which audiences care.
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Memory loss is a condition that causes breakups. Several years ago, my grandmother suffered memory loss causing sorrow. She got into the habit of forgetting things, places and events in her life which were important. As someone witnessing a grandmother losing memory in her spotless mind, I adored “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. Released in 2004, Spike Jonze’s movie depicted depressed lovers with memory loss. Jonze uses captivating montages capturing a pair of depressed lovers with severe memory loss. Assisted by Kate Winslet who is amazing in the lead role, Jonze created a portrait of depression that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of memory loss in the mind causing romance to be declined, it’s a strong reminder about a commemorated genre that has manufactured movies which have left a lasting legacy undeniably behind.
8. The Great Gatsby
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about breakups causing tragedy, it’s worth discussing The Great Gatsby. Since its publication in the 1920’s, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book has become a literary classic. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the book about couples facing tragedy in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Great Gatsby” stand out is its depiction of the 1920’s. Luhrmann uses voice-over narration to capture the life of a depressed millionaire seeking happiness in the 1920’s. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Luhrmann honours an iconic book published years ago. A great adaptation of a book about millionaires that are mysterious, it’s a magnificent reminder of a great genre making bold movies which audiences consider extremely precious.
9. Jerry Maguire
Singer mothers facing breakups often experience tension. Several years ago, I witnessed my aunt face a divorce causing sorrow. She struggled to her children without the support of her husband. As someone that has seen dire obstacles single mothers acquire, I appreciated “Jerry Maguire”. Released in 1996, Cameron Crowe’s movie captured mothers facing breakups. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Jerry Maguire” stand out is its depiction of single mothers. Crowe uses captivating montages capturing hardships a single mother breaking up with lovers is facing. Assisted by Renee Zellweger who is amazing in the lead role, Crowe created a captivating single mother drama. As powerful as Jerry Maguire, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured memorable movies about breakups that audiences commonly admire.
10. 500 Days of Summer
Few movies ever made about romantic relationships facing disaster are as beloved as “500 Days of Summer”. Released in 2009, Marc Webb’s movie captured a doomed love affair facing tragedy. Webb used montages capturing hardships a smitten man in doomed affairs is facing. Assisted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is superb in the lead role, Webb created a captivating modern-day romance. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of breakups causing men to face emotional adversity has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Tom’s love for Summer, it’s a riveting reminder about a genre that has made heartwarming movies about breakups causing couples to face disaster which I will treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema that has changed my life forever.
The Film Buff 