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6 French Films About Love to Watch First

french films about love

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6 French Films About Love to Watch First

The best French films about love include Amélie, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Betty Blue, Love Me If You Dare, and A Very Long Engagement. Amélie is the most widely praised choice, with users pointing to its charm, visual style, and memorable soundtrack. The other films cover musical romance, intense passion, waiting, and unattainable love.

Amélie (2001) is often called a quintessential French love film. Users praise its beautiful aesthetic and the soundtrack by Yann Tiersen, with one user calling the film sublime. It fits best if you want a romantic film with a distinctive look and a warm sense of charm.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) is a musical romance with dialogue sung through the entire film. Users also mention its influence on La La Land, while warning that the sung through format may not suit everyone. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) is another major recommendation, especially for its intensity and strong links to a tragic Greek myth.

Betty Blue (1986) gives you a passionate and intense portrayal of love. Love Me If You Dare (2003) explores romance and the theme of waiting. These picks fit viewers who want love stories with stronger emotional pressure rather than a light romantic comedy.

A Very Long Engagement (2004) may appeal to viewers who liked Amélie because it comes from the same director and stars Audrey Tautou. Users also describe French films about love as subtle in how they show emotion, while other comments describe that love as passionate, tormented, or unattainable. The sense of coldness some viewers feel may come from stories about loneliness and inner struggle, even when a character is surrounded by people.

Top films

  1. Amélie (2001) A charming, visually beautiful favorite with a memorable Yann Tiersen soundtrack.
  2. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) A musical romance with dialogue sung through the entire film.
  3. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) An intense love story with strong links to a tragic Greek myth.
  4. Betty Blue (1986) A passionate and intense portrayal of love.
  5. Love Me If You Dare (2003) A romance that explores love and the idea of waiting.
  6. A Very Long Engagement (2004) A choice for Amélie fans from the same director, starring Audrey Tautou.
6 French Films About Love to Watch First — infographic

Widely Praised French Love Films

Amélie (2001): This film is frequently cited for its beautiful aesthetic and soundtrack, with many Users calling it a favorite and "sublime." "It is sublime. Not to mention the soundtrack by yann tiersen. Incredible musician and composer"
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964): This musical romance is recognized for its unique sung-through dialogue and is even noted as an inspiration for "La La Land." "One of my favorite French films, and the inspiration for La La Land! As a warning though, it is entirely sung-through, just in case that’s not your thing."
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): This film is often recommended for its intensity and strong thematic connections to Greek mythology. "How has no one said Portrait of a Lady on Fire yet!! Don't want to spoil but there are very strong references to a particular tragic Greek myth in it"

Other Notable Mentions

Betty Blue (1986): This film is suggested for its passionate and intense portrayal of love. "Betty Blue"
Love Me If You Dare (2003): Users point to this movie for its exploration of romance and themes of waiting. "Love me if you dare would fit this so well."
A Very Long Engagement (2004): From the director of Amélie, this film is recommended for those who enjoyed that style. "[A Very Long Engagement (2004)] From the director of Amélie and starring Audrey Tautou"

French Cinema's Portrayal of Love

Subtlety in Emotion: Some Users suggest that French cinema often conveys emotions, including love, with more subtlety compared to American films. "I don’t typically watch rom coms so no idea what you warched, but French people tend to understate their emotions compared to many people and especially americans."
Tormented or Unattainable Love: Love in French films can often be depicted as passionate and tormented, rather than overtly cold. "But from what I have seen in French cinema, I would rather say, in my opinion, that love is represented as tormented (passionate too), even unattainable but not cold."
The "Cold" Impression: The perception of French cinema depicting love as "cold" might stem from its portrayal of loneliness even in a crowd or a character's internal struggles. "I read somewhere that French cinema always portrays loneliness somehow. Like, a character would be in a crowd, but still the frame would convey his/her loneliness. I think it's kinda true. Would that be the "cold" impression for you?"

Are you interested in French films from a specific era or with a particular subgenre of romance?

Bottom line

Users widely recommend Amélie as a quintessential French love film, often highlighting its unique charm, beautiful visuals, and memorable soundtrack.

Community answers 27

What others in the community said:

97% upvoted

Amelie (2001) - directed by Jean Pierre Jeunet brings a vintage memory of Paris back in the day. A beautiful movie!

Cre:

6 French Films About Love to Watch First — image shared in an answer
90% upvoted

This is very likely a generalisation since, while I like French cinema, I haven’t seen a huge number of French films.

I’ve seen perhaps 20-25 French movies over the last 25 years and tonight I watched Jules et Jim since my wife was away and I had my choice of what to watch so wanted something different.

The film was very surprising to me, considering it was made in the 60s. It had a lot of different undertones that made it very different from anything else I’ve seen from that era. From unusual depictions of masculinity, to gender fluidity to polyamory. I wasn’t expecting any of it and it was very interesting. No British or American film of that era would be so daring.

A few things seemed in common with other French films I’ve seen though and one was that the depiction of love in the film seemed passionate but also cold. I have had two loves in my life and they were both warm and wholesome. I find depictions of love in French cinema hard to relate to and I can’t tell if it’s because it really is cold.. or if its because the warmth somehow doesn’t translate very well to my English cultural viewpoint.

Does the depiction of love in French cinema seem cold to you? And if not, can you recommend me a film that feels warmer.

82% upvoted

I've watched Amelie, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and I'm looking for more.

Beautiful visuals are a nice bonus, but not a necessary thing to have.

Would prefer it if they actually speak French. Not looking for something like Ratatouille (great movie) which is set in France, but they all speak English.

It is sublime. Not to mention the soundtrack by yann tiersen. Incredible musician and composer

86% upvoted

As I am currently studying French at uni, I’m searching for some French romance movies to help me learn more vocabulary with the same vibe as Culpa Mia/ My fault and Through My Window. Kind of Wattpad-esque.

Populaire. She falls for her boss who is also her typing coach in the 1950s. 

Amelie is one of my favorite films ever

83% upvoted

La question est dans le titre : j'aimerais des recommandations de films sur des histoires d'amour et/ou d'amitiés profondes, qualitatifs (pas genre 50 shades quoi 😂), profonds et pas tristes ou avec une fin dramatique. Ma vie sentimentale par procuration vous remercie d'avance 🤣

We all clicked this video for the same reason. ❤️❤️❤️

I’ve actually never seen it, but it’s on my watchlist!

Blind Date 2015

Heartbreaker 2010

I Do 2006

Priceless 2008

"Jean De Florette" and "Manon of the Spring" are the first two parts of a three part story that concludes with "Un Coeur en Hiver"

85% upvoted

Hi folks,

As the title suggests I’m looking for steamy/hot french movies for date nights. I’ve already watched The Dreamers, Lady Chatterley’s lover, Simple Passion and Blue is the warmest color.

OK so this will be controversial but try a Rohmer movie, eg 'le rayon vert'-'the green ray')

(Controversial because nothing much ever happens in a Rohmer movie) . 

100% upvoted

I’m writing a college paper on the theme of romance and waiting, connecting it to greek tragedy and politics. I already have some film references, but now I’m looking for french ones. What are your favorites?

Love me if you dare would fit this so well.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not / À la folie... pas du tout (2002) Avoid a plot description.

Romantics Anonymous (2010)

A Very Long Engagement (2004) From the director of Amélie and starring Audrey Tautou

Une liaison pornographique (1999)

The Hairdresser’s Husband (1990)

Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

57% upvoted

So after watching a few movies and shows set in France namely the Count of Monte Cristo, Monsieur Spade, Careme, No Dogs or Italians allowed, the Long Long Holiday, Asterix and the Big Fight, Zombillenium, and Le Petit Nicholas as happy as can be I have been developing a sort of fondness for France. I don't what it is. Maybe it's the language or the food. Maybe it's the beauty of the natural landscape. Or maybe it's the sense of optimistic realism that the animated shows and films exuberate.

In any case I have got to ask are there any other feel good French films? Besides, Amelie.

38% upvoted

Just watched Amelié for the first time and I'm really into the style it presents, I would call it "accordian porn". I have seen La Haine, and am interested in other "this is the real France" movies like La Haine, if you have those to suggest as well.

Edit to be clear: I am looking for movies like Amelié, but am also interested in the opposite end of the spectrum, like La Haine.

One of my favorite French films, and the inspiration for La La Land! As a warning though, it is entirely sung-through, just in case that’s not your thing.
How has no one said Portrait of a Lady on Fire yet!! Don't want to spoil but there are very strong references to a particular tragic Greek myth in it
- Love Me If You Dare (2003): Users point to this movie for its exploration of romance and themes of waiting.
### French Cinema's Portrayal of Love
- Subtlety in Emotion: Some Users suggest that French cinema often conveys emotions, including love, with more subtlety compared to American films.
- Tormented or Unattainable Love: Love in French films can often be depicted as passionate and tormented, rather than overtly cold.
Impression: The perception of French cinema depicting love as
might stem from its portrayal of loneliness even in a crowd or a character's internal struggles.

Related questions

What is the best French film about love?
Users most often recommend Amélie, praising its charm, visual style, and soundtrack by Yann Tiersen.
Which French romance is sung through?
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is sung through from start to finish. Users praise its unusual style and connect it with La La Land.
What French love film should I watch after Amélie?
A Very Long Engagement is a strong follow-up because it comes from the director of Amélie and stars Audrey Tautou.

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