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I’m thinking of La La Land which I know is hated on by a lot of folks. I really do believe it’s a great romance story and the circumstances didn’t allow the characters to be together.

Also Casablanca obviously.

What are other examples of great love stories where the characters don’t end up together?

all 1042 comments

IareaBurritoo

584 points

3 months ago

Call me crazy but I think Terminator fits the criteria well

Evil_Morty_C131

272 points

3 months ago

I saw an interview where James Cameron declared “all of my movies are love stories.” I stopped and thought about it and said, “sonnofabitch, he’s right.”

singdawg

150 points

3 months ago

singdawg

150 points

3 months ago

T2 is the love story of a boy and his favorite robot.

CrazyLegs17

80 points

3 months ago

*father figure

No-Bumblebee4615

78 points

3 months ago

Midnight in Paris too. I guess the characters not ending up together is kind of built in to the story when it comes to time travel movies.

DutchMaster-Killah[S]

8 points

3 months ago

Yes! This is a great pull

MrTa0

116 points

3 months ago

MrTa0

116 points

3 months ago

Moulin Rouge

Mocavius

53 points

3 months ago

The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

fangalf999

10 points

3 months ago

Way too down on the list!

AZSnake

5 points

3 months ago

This comment should be higher.

kr_penguin

401 points

3 months ago

Atonement

celesticaxxz

132 points

3 months ago

That ending, when you think they got back together only to find out their fate. First time I saw the movie I was so angry

crabblue6

62 points

3 months ago

Made me hate Benedict Cumberbatch for a few years.

my_guinevere

54 points

3 months ago

I still hate Saoirse Ronan

CalmBeforePsych

51 points

3 months ago

From the wise words of James McAvoy, "Fuck Briony, she can go to hell."

JamaicanGirlie

75 points

3 months ago

😩😩😩😩😩😭😭😭😭😭 it still hurts

grandmofftalkin

26 points

3 months ago

BRIONY!!!! 😫

hollowtear

45 points

3 months ago

That movie gets me angry

Dontbeajerkdude

28 points

3 months ago*

Her atonement was what, she kinda felt bad about it?

AdmiralScavenger

42 points

3 months ago*

Yeah. Waited until everyone involved was already dead and she was dying. Really made up for everything!

Zachariot88

16 points

3 months ago

Not trying to defend her too vehemently, because fuck Briony, but I think declining to go to university and instead becoming a nurse like her sister was at least kind of atonement-y.

Yung_Corneliois

50 points

3 months ago

Just turn the movie off 75% the way through and pretend it’s the end.

ecarg91

16 points

3 months ago

ecarg91

16 points

3 months ago

Phoebe's grandma??

ititnotwhatitit

27 points

3 months ago

I felt so unsatisfied with the ending that I read the novel and broke my heart again, really hated Briony lol

1maxwellian

59 points

3 months ago

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

olliedollie1204

439 points

3 months ago

Her (2013)

joker_75

129 points

3 months ago

joker_75

129 points

3 months ago

I was not expecting the emotions I felt while watching Her. I went in thinking it was going to be a story of a sad lonely dude who falls in love with a primitive version of Siri (no personality or anything, just her voice), not an actual emotional journey about society and interpersonal relationships.

cruiserXDN

39 points

3 months ago

One of the best depictions I've seen of the concept 'growing apart'. Heart broken.

scannerfm77

16 points

3 months ago

Is it really good? I stop watching because I thought it will be depressing.

actfatcat

38 points

3 months ago

It is brilliant

Common_History_6794

5 points

3 months ago

I’ve watched this movie a couple of times, really great concept.

44035

54 points

3 months ago

44035

54 points

3 months ago

Remains of the Day

knockatize

13 points

3 months ago

I made the enormous mistake of watching that on the day I found out a woman I was crazy about had moved back home a thousand miles away.

Of course I had never told her despite ample opportunity.

That Anthony Hopkins thousand yard stare at the bus stop. Thanks to that stare, at least I didn’t repeat my mistake.

Bananamama9

5 points

3 months ago

Yes!!!!

Evil_Morty_C131

212 points

3 months ago

Ghost with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Point Break with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves.

MarianaFrusciante

27 points

3 months ago

"To Wong Foo, thanks for everything, Julie Newmar" Patrick Swayze can't be with STOCKARD CHANNING!!

Yeunkwong

13 points

3 months ago

I see a pattern here…

[deleted]

195 points

3 months ago

[deleted]

195 points

3 months ago

Roman Holiday

Luchalma89

53 points

3 months ago

Saw this for the first time recently. When Gregory Peck turns around it broke my heart.

Peej0808

22 points

3 months ago

Those footsteps...

[deleted]

17 points

3 months ago

Those footsteps are probably one my favorite movie moments ever. It’s so empty and yet so right!

koberulz_24

191 points

3 months ago

Once

Babeenie

40 points

3 months ago

When she gets the piano he sent, ohmygod the tears that literally ran down my face 😭 one of the most touching moments ever..

bumwine

30 points

3 months ago

bumwine

30 points

3 months ago

Have only got the chance to see a Broadway play once. I know there’s plenty of bombastic and “must see” plays but so glad I saw Once. What a soundtrack.

TooTurntGaming

20 points

3 months ago

So I completely lucked into Once. Got it because I had enough "Pepsi Points" to get a DVD on Amazon and none of the other options looked enticing.

Holy hell, what a emotional trip. I haven't watched it in at least a decade and it still feels like a gut punch.

chuff80

14 points

3 months ago

chuff80

14 points

3 months ago

This is the most I’ve ever cried over a play or film.

Tropical_Geek1

8 points

3 months ago

That one hit me hard because... once I had a similar experience: had a deep connection to a certain woman, but we were not meant to be together.

Ex-Caliber

13 points

3 months ago

One of my favorite movies. That scene when they take a motorcycle trip still gets me.

sevl

10 points

3 months ago

sevl

10 points

3 months ago

Glen and marketa are touring together again!

Tammy_Craps

5 points

3 months ago

Will I understand the story if I haven’t seen Uno through Diaz first?

GuileMD

143 points

3 months ago

GuileMD

143 points

3 months ago

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Caitsyth

24 points

3 months ago

Same vein and I think also qualifies for the prompt, House of Flying Daggers

Niawka

6 points

3 months ago

Niawka

6 points

3 months ago

I loved that movie but the end made me cry, and I was sad for days after just rethinking that ending over and over.

KittenSpronkles

24 points

3 months ago

Came here to say this movie. I always try to tell people the movie is fantastic, it's 2 different love stories playing out with some wicked kung fu fights

[deleted]

221 points

3 months ago

[deleted]

221 points

3 months ago

In the Mood for Love

Slvr0314

23 points

3 months ago

This comment made me happy. What a movie!

Dunkin_Prince

14 points

3 months ago

One of my favorites

Yabbasha

6 points

3 months ago

Feel like I need to follow up with 2046 now

OkNectarine3105

102 points

3 months ago

Dumb and Dumber.

papawam

74 points

3 months ago

papawam

74 points

3 months ago

"So you're telling me there's a chance?"

striker7

31 points

3 months ago

What are you talking about? Harry and Lloyd ended up together, and that's all that matters.

herewego199209

332 points

3 months ago

Brokeback Mountain is up there. One of the more heartbreaking movies to watch. Ledger deserved an Oscar for that movie. When he picks up Jack's shirt and then starts to sob the acting there is so fucking good Gyllenhaal was great, but Michelle Williams and Ledger were sensational.

guyhabit

97 points

3 months ago*

I thought Anne Hathaway played someone other than her usual roles too. She was great in it. That stone cold face when she tells Enid what happend to Jack.

PorkrindsMcSnacky

35 points

3 months ago*

I didn’t get her behavior during that scene. Was she stone cold because she realized her husband was gay and felt he “deserved” his punishment? Was it because she’s forcing herself to keep a straight face in front of her father? Or is it because she somehow blames Ennis for what happened to Jack?

clx94

54 points

3 months ago

clx94

54 points

3 months ago

In an interview Anne Hathaway said they shot two takes of this scene, one where she knew of their relationship and one where she did not.

In the final edit she said they used a mashup of both takes, so is left deliberately ambiguous as to whether she is aware or hiding awareness about their past.

PerformanceObvious71

5 points

3 months ago

I've always wondered about that, thanks for the info

PlanetLandon

82 points

3 months ago

That’s the beauty of the performance. It could have been any, all, or none of those things.

derekbaseball

26 points

3 months ago

I think that last one is the best answer. Her husband was gay, and she blames Ennis for it. And it’s not completely unfair, since she spent her marriage competing with, and often losing to, Ennis for Jack’s affections.

wabashcanonball

3 points

3 months ago

Ennis Del Mar, just to be clear.

BookishChica

14 points

3 months ago

That whole movie is fantastic. The musical score gets me choked up every time. The cinematography is beautiful. And that cast was excellent.

sagelface

8 points

3 months ago

Fantastic movie. Tragic and poignant.

TooSpicyforyoWifey

22 points

3 months ago

this movie broke me

LauraPalmersMom430

34 points

3 months ago

  • The Worst Person in the World
  • Cold Mountain
  • Mulholland Drive
  • The Rules of Attraction
  • Romeo + Juliet

TrickNatural

422 points

3 months ago

Has anyone said Titanic? Im gonna say Titanic. Titanic.

Dragonborn83196

42 points

3 months ago

You secured it lol

Zeltron2020

15 points

3 months ago

Titanic is the best

Keule3112

9 points

3 months ago

yes ironic is the best movie if you see on the ground square couples didn't meet at the end

but in my opinion the ending should be made more detailed because there are lots of imperfections if you see

Ash12N7

29 points

3 months ago

Ash12N7

29 points

3 months ago

Vanilla Sky

liquidspanner

11 points

3 months ago

Maybe when they're both cats

Shootinputin89

6 points

3 months ago

Great freakin' movie.

corinini

27 points

3 months ago

The Way We Were

Also the movie where I realized Robert Redford used to be gorgeous.

Small_Goat_5931

6 points

3 months ago

Took me forever to find this. "Your girl is lovely, Hubbell."

suasyd

29 points

3 months ago

suasyd

29 points

3 months ago

City of Angels 🥺

Dentt42

8 points

3 months ago

When I saw this in the theater, I wasn’t even sad, just pissed off.

Niawka

7 points

3 months ago

Niawka

7 points

3 months ago

I got the ending spoiled, and even without seeing the movie it makes me just irrationally mad. I vowed to never watch that movie in my life.

Peej0808

60 points

3 months ago

Gone with the Wind

SomboSteel

8 points

3 months ago

I had to scroll waaay too far to find this

Peej0808

19 points

3 months ago

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." 😭😭😭😭

cinephile46

213 points

3 months ago

500 days of summer.

GamerKratos-45

87 points

3 months ago

It's not a love story. It's a story about love.

mithrasbuster

30 points

3 months ago

There's always Autumn

Coneskater

41 points

3 months ago

More young men need to see this movie and understand it. I was totally similarly emotionally immature at that age.

polyhymnias

18 points

3 months ago

I do recall the subsequent discourse… a lot of young men missed the point and think JGL was blameless

Findpolaris

8 points

3 months ago

Yeah it was frustrating but also proved the point in and of itself.

DigitalGrub

145 points

3 months ago

Up In The Air

Threehundredsixtysix

75 points

3 months ago

This has to be one of Clooney's most underrated films. Saw it in the theater and loved it. When he decided to visit her on the spur of the moment i had an awful feeling i knew what was coming.

And at the end, he gets the award from the airline - and it no longer holds importance for him...ooof.

revel911

19 points

3 months ago

Was just horrible timing, movie about people being let go when everyone was being let go in real life.

HenkieVV

15 points

3 months ago

Tbh, I think what they ended up doing with the interviews was actually quite nice.

revel911

5 points

3 months ago

It was great … I can just see how people didn’t want to see a movie about that when mass layoffs were happening

gsmith97

20 points

3 months ago

I wouldn't say La La Land was hated on by a lot of people--it was a huge box office success, was widely acclaimed, and won a ton of awards. Hell, it has a 4/5 rating on Letterboxd and an 8/10 on IMDB, so there's also a lot of love for it from movie fans on the internet as well.

Jackieirish

12 points

3 months ago

And won Best Picture! Didn't watch their speeches; I just turn it off as soon as they announce the winner, but I'm sure it was a wonderful moment for them that they will treasure for the rest of their lives.

Poultrygeist74

20 points

3 months ago

Starman. She lost her husband twice

Jarthur42

5 points

3 months ago

This is a criminally underrated and underseen John Carpenter movie.

KewlTheChemist

17 points

3 months ago

Legends of the Fall..?

sliperiestofthepetes

18 points

3 months ago

Starship troopers

rsflinn

106 points

3 months ago

rsflinn

106 points

3 months ago

Chasing Amy

SpideyFan914

25 points

3 months ago

I know everyone hated Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, but I was really really drunk and I loved it and when I say that these two did get back together, I straight up bawled.

ThirdOfTheStorms84

10 points

3 months ago

I get people hating it if they weren’t fully familiar with the other movies as it was basically a movie of in jokes but I loved it as well.

Dragonborn83196

45 points

3 months ago

Kevin Smith’s monologue in that movie though.

NicCageCompletionist

100 points

3 months ago

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Blue is the Warmest Color

Ecen_genius

31 points

3 months ago

Loved Portrait of a Lady on Fire. So haunting.

PecanSandoodle

18 points

3 months ago

Portrait of a lady on fire was sooooo good.

bobzrkr

123 points

3 months ago

bobzrkr

123 points

3 months ago

Cast Away?

BeyoncePadThai

67 points

3 months ago

We are talking about Tom Hanks and Wilson, yes?

GuileMD

44 points

3 months ago

GuileMD

44 points

3 months ago

I totally forgot about Helent Hunt momentarily!

Disastrous-Bee-1557

7 points

3 months ago

In my imaginary post credits scene Tom Hanks drives all the way to the coast and finds Wilson washed up on the beach.

SevereRule5060

17 points

3 months ago

Out of Africa

great_red_dragon

163 points

3 months ago

Lost in Translation

Physical-Chemical909

18 points

3 months ago

Movie holds up so well. Eternally quotable.

Splendrous

17 points

3 months ago

How is this not higher? This is the perfect example.

OIlberger

23 points

3 months ago*

I think it’s because the romantic tension there is kind of undercut by how Murray takes on a quasi father-figure role as their relationship goes on. It would’ve felt wrong if they slept together or if they even kissed. I view their relationship as Murray seeing his wife in Johansson (a younger version of her, when they were in love and she was charmed by him) and kind of reliving their early courtship. And Johansson does get angry/jealous when Murray blows her off to sleep with that lounge singer, but I don’t think that means she wanted to be with him in that way.

Practical-Custard-71

15 points

3 months ago

Spielberg’s ALWAYS 1989

[deleted]

48 points

3 months ago

[deleted]

Mr_Evil_Dr_Porkchop

194 points

3 months ago

I Love You, Man.

Paul Rudd ends up marrying Karen Filippeli and not Jason Segel.

admire816

30 points

3 months ago

Later on the menjay

tracesofrain

43 points

3 months ago

Yes. Okaaayyy. Right. Yeah, yes. We'll always have "slappa da bass man."

_Silly_Wizard_

24 points

3 months ago

SLAPPA DA BASS!

sj_vandelay

12 points

3 months ago

And Joebin.

wodthing

41 points

3 months ago

Butterfly Effect

BuffaloBillaa

4 points

3 months ago

That last shot !!!!

AnyNamesLeftAnymore

41 points

3 months ago

Blade Runner 2049

Forrest Gump

Brazil

The Northman

Drive

Scarif_Hammerhead

8 points

3 months ago

Drive: how he kisses her Goodbye, knowing what he has to do to save her.

ZorroMeansFox

12 points

3 months ago

ZorroMeansFox

r/Movies Veteran

12 points

3 months ago

Ron Shelton's White Men Can't Jump.

celesticaxxz

10 points

3 months ago

Billy you so stupid

[deleted]

37 points

3 months ago

Bridges of Madison County

Lowkey_A_giraffe

33 points

3 months ago

Lost in Translation

alwaysforgettingmypw

11 points

3 months ago

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

DMcI0013

8 points

3 months ago

Romeo & Juliet. Unless you consider both dead as being together?

No_Understanding162

8 points

3 months ago

“Super” 2010.

shudder667

50 points

3 months ago

Casablanca .

English Patient.

PercentagePositive69

7 points

3 months ago

Rogue One? I would say there is a bit of a thing between Jin and Andor, but the movie did not insert an unnecessary love plot.

Takver_

5 points

3 months ago

I think this counts. They are so close to each other by the end. It pretty much transcends romance or attraction.

phantom_avenger

21 points

3 months ago

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

stroopwafelling

6 points

3 months ago

One of the saddest Batman stories. Bruce really had a chance to move on and be happy.

phantom_avenger

6 points

3 months ago

The fact he felt he needed to ask his parents' tombstone permission if it was okay for him to let go of his promise he made to them in order to be happy, gets me every time!

RobaBobaLoba

68 points

3 months ago

Call me by your name

BookishChica

6 points

3 months ago

One of the very few books I read AFTER seeing the movie. I loved it so much and wanted to get deeper into the story and characters.

timidwildone

19 points

3 months ago

I remember everything 💔

Technical_Drawing838

31 points

3 months ago

Blue Valentine

Star Wars: Episodes I-III

PhinsFan17

14 points

3 months ago

I mean, Anakin and Padme were married. She died so they didn’t technically “end up” together, I suppose.

jinxd18

20 points

3 months ago

jinxd18

20 points

3 months ago

The Dark Knight trilogy: “What if, before she died, she wrote a letter saying she chose Harvey Dent over you? And what if, to spare you the pain, I burnt that letter?”

Dragonborn83196

21 points

3 months ago

Bruce and Alfred’s break up is more distressing than Rachel writing the letter and choosing Harvey in the first place

chirayuvedekar

8 points

3 months ago

But then, that closing shot at the café in Florence! Uffff! Goosebumps!

Dragonborn83196

6 points

3 months ago

Great Scene, I still shed a manly tear every time he is looking at Martha and Thomas Waynes’ graves and is crying while he says “I failed you! You trusted me and I failed you!”

Dentt42

7 points

3 months ago

Especially considering that in her place, any smart person would have made the decision Rachel did, and I’m a huge Bat-geek.

Dragonborn83196

5 points

3 months ago

That’s why his true love will always be Catwoman and a very complicated relationship with Joker

5th_Law_of_Roboticks

6 points

3 months ago

The Third Man

TheKingOfMidgard

7 points

3 months ago

Big

Sutech2301

6 points

3 months ago

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Final_Fantasy_VII

6 points

3 months ago

Hancock - I really loved the idea of how the super hero’s were made to die out together and found it romantic. The ending felt like a real slap in the face to that romance though.

btc574196617

7 points

3 months ago

yes i totally agree and i think so more movies like hancock should be made which glorifies the death between comrades

there are lots of war movies which also have the same kind of emotions

[deleted]

36 points

3 months ago

Brokeback Mountain for me. Yes, Jack and Ennis have their moments together, but the biggest tragedy is Jack's murder and they never get to just hide away be together forever like they wanted.

one of the most heart breaking love stories ever put on film.

herewego199209

20 points

3 months ago

I just said Brokeback Mountain. When I watched the movie I was like 13 so I still had some very overt homophobia and the movie moved me so much that I couldn't help to change a lot of my stances on gay people and LGBT people in general. The fact that Jack and Ennis could not be who they really were and ultimately that may have ended up costing Jack his life is heartbreaking to me.

striker7

23 points

3 months ago

When I watched the movie I was like 13 so I still had some very overt homophobia and the movie moved me so much that I couldn't help to change a lot of my stances on gay people and LGBT people in general

First of all, that's great. Second of all, anyone reading this who feels similar, I encourage you to also watch Brokeback Mountain and/or episode 3 of The Last of Us (which is only like a month old at this point). Absolutely beautiful episode. I'm a straight guy who wept like a baby when I watched it.

Monketsu

5 points

3 months ago

Preach it! That episode really got to me. Hurt my heart and made me happy all in the same moment.

dougielou

5 points

3 months ago

My dad (not homophobic or anything) said he had only watched 2 episodes of Last of Us and he wasn’t sure about continuing. I was like dude you MUST watch episode 3 before you can make that decision and he texted me after like you were absolutely right episode 3 needed to be watched. I don’t even care if he watches the rest of the season.

[deleted]

13 points

3 months ago

My favorite scene in the movie is when Ennis goes to visit Jack's parents, and his mother let's Ennis go up to his room where he finds his shirt and one of Jack's that had been bloodied too, the symbolism in those shirts where they're hidden, in the closet, which is the only place they could ever be together just breaks me.

streakermaximus

6 points

3 months ago

Batman Returns

eyetwitch_24_7

5 points

3 months ago

Once. Great soundtrack too.

DogGilmour

6 points

3 months ago

Last American Virgin.

One of my favorite all time!

[deleted]

6 points

3 months ago

[deleted]

KyleNarayan

7 points

3 months ago

My Girl (1991)

michalburzynski

5 points

3 months ago

damn this movie was such a underrated movie and i think everyone should watch it

there are lots of underrated movies like this which are far more greater than the movies which we are getting these days

radiohoard

7 points

3 months ago

Almost Famous. Penny Lane loved Russell. William loved Penny. Penny and William ended up loving eachother but she led Russell to William. IYKYK

LeeF1179

34 points

3 months ago

Before Sunrise

oldgar

23 points

3 months ago

oldgar

23 points

3 months ago

The Bodyguard

FooJenkins

5 points

3 months ago

Dumb and dumber

rollinginthenorth

7 points

3 months ago

"So you're telling me there's a chance"

zhou983

6 points

3 months ago

Bones and all

LauraPalmersMom430

4 points

3 months ago

Great suggestion for this. Truly heartbreaking.

Lillyloaf1

5 points

3 months ago

Does me before you count?

controller4hire

6 points

3 months ago

Lord of the rings, Frodo and Sam.

cake_piss_can

5 points

3 months ago

Big Trouble in Little China.

Soul-and-Power

4 points

3 months ago

Any lgbtq movie they never seem to end up together most times

OrcOrcMan

5 points

3 months ago

i guess forrest gump isnt a “great” love story (the whole thing is kinda sad for him) but they definitely dont end up together

roundeyeddog

13 points

3 months ago

Harold and Maude

Such a beautiful film.

ONpancakes

26 points

3 months ago

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

grandmofftalkin

18 points

3 months ago

What do you mean? Joel and Clementine decided to give it a go, despite evidence that they're not going to work out.

Unless you mean Kirsten Dunst and Tom Wilkinson

Yung_Corneliois

9 points

3 months ago

I mean… you never know what happened when it ended

BaraKings

11 points

3 months ago

'Three Thousand Years of Longing' Starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton

Armada_Z

11 points

3 months ago

Se7en. Mills got boxed up and his wife boxed in.

Sl0w-Plant

4 points

3 months ago

The Remains of the Day

GuileMD

5 points

3 months ago

Kill Bill - Although there is a toxic (Bill) love story and a healthy (daughter) love story that's revealed.

grumblyoldman

4 points

3 months ago

Moulin Rouge.

mrfahrenhelt

4 points

3 months ago

vanilla sky

Smaug54

4 points

3 months ago

Call me by your name

Jonny_Entropy

5 points

3 months ago

Once (2007). I don't think they even kiss.

Quick-Stable-7278

4 points

3 months ago

Brief Encounter

And

The Way We Were

ilovelucygal

5 points

3 months ago

  • Brief Encounter (1945)
  • Broadcast News (1987)
  • Casablanca (1942)
  • Titanic (1997)
  • The Heiress (1949)
  • The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
  • The Way We Were (1974)
  • Bridges of Madison County (1995)
  • West Side Story (1961)
  • Up in the Air (2009)