Top 10 Most Romantic Movie Speeches
#10: Jamie’s Proposal “Love Actually” (2003)
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“Love Actually” is a fanciful yet charming look at how love affects a myriad of interconnected people during the Christmas season. Helmed by Richard Curtis – who’s crafted some of modern cinema’s most iconic romantic comedies – the film has no shortage of fairy-tale moments, none of which top Jamie’s proposal to Aurélia. Their back and forth relationship was often stunted by their inability to truly crack the language barrier, but when they do, it all comes together in this truly delightful speech. Jamie’s Portuguese may be broken, and he may be surrounded by dozens of curious onlookers, but he gets the point across. Cheering is compulsory after a scene like this.
#9: “I Wish I Knew How to Quit You” “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)
Ang Lee’s Oscar winning examination of a building illicit relationship between two cowboys is one of the 21st century’s best. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal play Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist respectively, two characters whose love for one another is matched only by their fear of what society would think if they revealed it to the world. Both men deliver seminal performances, with this scene in particular no doubt playing an enormous role in their duel Oscar nominations. Jack’s speech to Ennis may not be as overtly romantic as some of the others on this list, but his declaration of “I wish I knew how to quit you”, is guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine.
#8: “Choose Me” “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)
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This 1997 rom-com found Julia Roberts’ Julianne Potter in a bit of a pickle. Her male best friend is about to get married to a much younger woman... one who looks a lot like Cameron Diaz. While she’d love nothing more than to sabotage the wedding, complicating things is the fact that she’s also the maid of honor. Tricky! After numerous veiled attempts to make Diaz’s character look back, Potter finally comes right out and says what she’s feeling. In this pivotal scene, Julianne pleads with Dermot Mulroney’s Michael to choose her. It culminates with the two of them sharing a passionate kiss. But as anyone who’s seen this flick knows, things don’t exactly work out as planned.
#7: “You Complete Me.” “Jerry Maguire” (1996)
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“Jerry Maguire” is remembered for two reasons: Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Oscar winning performance and this iconic speech. After being fired from his job as a sports agent, Jerry Maguire resolves to start his own company, with single mother Dorothy Boyd in tow. Maguire soon finds himself enamored with Boyd and her son and chooses to leave his fiancé for her. However, his high-pressure job soon gets in the way, and the two break up. This ultimately leads to him returning to her and delivering the now iconic “You complete me” speech. Cruise’ trademark intensity is juxtaposed beautifully by Renée Zellweger in her breakout role. Honestly, who needs a swelling musical score when you have dialogue this good?
#6: "I Am in Love with You." “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
If you didn’t cry all the tears while watching this film, you might just be a robot. Just sayin’. “The Fault in Our Stars” features Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort as two cancer-stricken teenagers who fall in love while bonding over their shared, albeit tragic, experience. The film was a box office smash, with many pointing to Woodley and Elgort’s genuinely charming on-screen chemistry as the reason for its success. A major plot point involves the two characters traveling to Amsterdam, where they share a romantic meal at a fancy restaurant. This serves as the setting for Elgort’s character to lay his heart bare. Honest, eloquent and oh-so dreamy, this speech gets ya every time.
#5: “Just As You Are” “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001)
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After a tumultuous back and forth that began with the two of them despising one another, Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy are now head-over-heels for each other. There’s just one problem: Bridget has been messing around with her boss, Daniel, and Mark is in a committed relationship. Despite these foils, not to mention a slew of embarrassing moments on Bridget’s part, they find themselves alone at the end of the film, with Mark finally admitting his true feelings for Bridget. Deep down we all want someone to love us unconditionally, which is why Mark’s speech about taking Bridget just as she is, is so affecting. Well that, and the fact that the words come from Colin “swoon alert” Firth.
#4: The "I Hate" Speech “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
Sure, we could have gone with Heath Ledger’s iconic performance of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. However, that’s really more of a serenade than a speech, so it doesn’t make the cut. Fortunately, there's another supremely romantic moment on deck. After discovering that Patrick was only dating her because of a financial arrangement with another student, Kat storms off. However, you can’t brush aside your feelings and expect them to stay buried forever. Kat expresses her true feelings to Patrick in the now famous poem reading scene, in which she lists all the things she hates about him – which are actually things she loves. Julia Stiles knocks it out of the park in this truly moving moment.
#3: “I Want You” “The Notebook” (2004)
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This film is littered with swoon-inducing moments from stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, from the carnival scene to their enchanting boat ride together. While those moments were great, they were lacking in realism, something this scene has in abundance. Fearful that he might lose the love of his life a second time, Noah informs Allie that he wants to spend his life with her, but that ultimately, she’s the one who needs to make the decision. Noah’s speech is real, and at times painful, but that’s exactly what makes it so affecting. In the end Noah just wants Allie to be happy, regardless of how it will make him feel.
#2: “Just a Girl” “Notting Hill” (1999)
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Written by “Love Actually” writer/director Richard Curtis, “Notting Hill” stars rom-com favorites Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant as lovers from different worlds – a British bookstore owner and a Hollywood actress – that nevertheless make it work. Midway through the film tragedy strikes and the they split, only for Roberts’ character to re-emerge and deliver this poignant speech. There are few lines in rom-com history as famous as “I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her,” and Roberts delivers it so very well. It’s so good in fact that people probably forget she says it after Hugh Grant’s character rejects her! Don’t worry though, it all works out in the end. Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions: "If You Knew How Much I Loved You. How Much I Still Love You." “Casablanca” (1942) The Final Speech “When Harry Met Sally...” (1989) "My Heart Is, and Always Will Be, Yours." “Sense & Sensibility” (1995) When Josh & Cher Kissed “Clueless” (1995) Doing Something Crazy “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012)
#1: “You Bewitch Me” “Pride and Prejudice” (2005)
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This entire list could have been made entirely of Jane Austin speeches. Another time perhaps. Set in the 19thcentury, “Pride and Prejudice” sees young Elizabeth Bennet struggling with her feelings for the reservedly charming Mr. Darcy. At first they despise each other, what with Mr. Darcy appearing cold and even insulting Elizabeth behind her back. While he later redeems himself, rumors and a fiery confrontation once again pit them against one another. Heartbroken and confused, the two happen upon each other during a walk on the moor in the early morning. This otherworldly location is the setting for Mr. Darcy’s romantic confession, one in which he lays his heart bare, declaring “You have bewitched me body and soul.” Goosebumps anyone?
