7 Unconventional Romantic Movies: A Review

Watching romantic movies is commonplace. By and large, we know how a romantic movie is scripted and directed. With the dramatic ups and downs, the usual romance and tragedy, loss and gain the movies conclude. Then, there are also unconventional romantic movies. When you watch an unconventional romantic movie, it is hard to see what is coming.

My personal best unconventional romantic movie is from the Malayalam film industry. Njan Gandharvan (1991) tells the story of a teenage girl who falls in love with a celestial being incarnated as a man.

We have a list of unconventional romantic movies that top the chart since 2012.

45 Years (2015, 1h 34m, English)

Geoff and Kate Mercer are old, retired, and living in the picturesque town of Norwich. The couple has been married for 45 years and is getting ready to celebrate the anniversary. One day Geoff receives a letter giving him the news that the body of Katya, his first love, has been found. Years ago, before Kate came into his life, Geoff was in love with Katya and would have married her had it not been for the accident at the Alps which killed her. For Kate, the information about Katya was disturbing. The more she learned about her, she began to doubt and question Geoff's love and commitment towards her. Despite the turbulence, the anniversary is celebrated.

Cold War (2018, 1h 23m, Polish)

Set in 1950s Poland in the Cold War era, what stands out in this romantic melodrama is, it is a black and white movie keeping up with the times. Wiktor and Irena are seen listening to folk music singers. The singers are chosen with a political agenda. Among the singers, Zula captures Wiktor's attention and he falls in love with her later. They decide to live together however Lula changes her mind at the last minute. During the course of years, they continue to meet in different countries and circumstances. Even after being married to different partners their love for each other take them together “to the other side”.

On body and soul (2017, 1h 52m, Hungarian)

Of all the places, an abattoir becomes the stage where Endre and Maria meet. Endre, an elderly man is the CFO and Maria joins the abattoir as a quality inspector when one of their staff is on maternity leave. Both Endre and Maria are weird in their own way. After a robbery is reported at the plant, on suspicion that it is an inside play, a psychologist is hired to test each staff. Soon it is discovered that Endre and Maria share a chain of the same dreams. It is a revelation for both of them and an unlikely bond blossoms between them. Certainly, one of the best unconventional romantic movies to watch.

Atlantics (2019, 1h 43m, French & Wolof)

A group of laborers at a construction site in Senegal is arguing with their supervisor for their wage which is not paid for months. One of them is Souleiman whose lover is Ada although she is to marry Omar soon. She too loves Souleiman. However, one night without telling her, Souleiman and his friends leave for Spain by the sea in search of better jobs. Her marriage takes place as planned but she is never happy with it. On the first night of their wedding, a fire breaks out in their bedroom. While the police are investigating the case, reports of Souleiman's presence come up. And a case is framed accusing Souleiman of arson and Ada as his accomplice. Strange and inexplicable incidents wreak havoc in the vicinity continuously until the case is closed by the investigating inspector.

Only you (2018, 1h 55m, English)

Waving around for a taxi in the street is Elena after a New Year party with her friends. A taxi pulls up but the driver claims to have seen only a young man, Jake who was waiting. A dejected Elena is welcomed to share the taxi with Jake. A casual talk evolves between them while traveling and as it happens Jake ends up in her apartment. More interesting talks happen while in the apartment. They both realize one of them is much younger than the other. Having spent a romantic night, they wake up to reality the next morning and part ways assuming they will not see again. Well, fate has a different plan for them. He ends up in her apartment again and again until gradually they love each other. However, everything doesn't go as they wish.

Undine (2020, 1h 26m, German)

Undine Wibeau is a historian working at the senate. She has a group of international guests to address hence she asks her lover, Johannes, a married man, to wait for her at a coffee shop. She tells him, ‘if you leave, you have to die'. She soon realizes Johannes has parted ways with her. However, Christoph an industrial diver walks right into her life. A beautiful relationship is built between them and everything is going fine. Later, Johannes crosses her path trying to give an explanation of what happened that day. And that he was going to split with his wife. Now, he promises to wait for her until she finishes her talk, but she decides to avoid him. Christoph learns Undine loves or loved someone else before him. But she denies loving anyone else. Too late to confide in him the truth?

Rust and Bone (2012, 2h 1m, French)

Alain van Versch is a poor, unemployed single dad whose young boy is Sam. He moves to his sister's place in search of a job. With his experience as a security guard and in boxing he is hired to be a bouncer in a nightclub. That's where he meets Stéphanie, an orcas trainer, who was hurt and bleeding after a scuffle at the club. Driving her home after the incident he learns a bit about her. An unfortunate accident at Stéphanie's workplace leaves her handicapped. Meanwhile, Alain returns to the ring and trains to be a boxer. He calls and visits Stéphanie who is by now withdrawn to herself and gloomy but Alain influences her. He gets into fighting for bet money and into Stéphanie's life as well.

You are welcome to add your favorite unconventional romantic movies to the list.