10 1990s Romance Movies That Were Ahead of Their Time

Romance Films say a lot about the contemporary cultural mindsets of the time in which they were made, and the 1990s are no exception. Cinema and moviegoing were changing during this pivotal decade, and many topics that were considered taboo were brought to the forefront of cinema because society was preparing for more subversive and experimental films. Whether this was expressed through style or theme, the way these films approach storytelling holds up well when compared to modern works. Many of the filmmakers behind these projects helped transform cinema.

The 1990s are often considered a big part of the Golden Age of romantic comedies, but many of the decade’s most revolutionary pieces of cinema blend genres brilliantly. While there are many excellent romantic comedies from the ’90s that are best remembered, they are of their time and follow the formulas and archetypes that were popular at the time. While there’s nothing wrong with it, it doesn’t push the boundaries the way those movies did, taking risks that often didn’t make them the most commercially successful, but preserved their legacy until the present day.

10

How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

Directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan

Age-gap relationships have long been part of film history, but most romances portrayed on screen feature an older man getting involved with a younger woman. However, How Stella got her groove back flips the script and sees Stella (Angela Bassett) open up to love and new experiences when she meets young Winston (Taye Diggs). While it hits many of the same beats as traditional romantic comedies, How Stella got her groove back should not be forgotten for his contributions to the genre.

Romance films have always been a safe and important place for female desire and sexuality to be explored on screen, as most other genres have historically catered to the male gaze. How Stella got her groove back and contemporary films such as The idea of ​​you focus on the pleasure of an older woman and watch her rediscover and reclaim her sexuality through the characters who take their lives into their own hands. The fact that How Stella got her groove back was already addressing this problem in the late 90s is incredible.

9

Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

Directed by PJ Hogan

Starring the incomparable Toni Collette, Muriel’s wedding is a 1994 cult classic Australian romantic comedy-drama about Muriel (Collette), a girl desperate for love and acceptance. However Muriel’s wedding It’s full of humor and exaggerated characters, it has dramatic moments, and the story forces Muriel to deal with her choices and the price she will pay for attention and the facade of a perfect wedding and marriage. In reality, it’s the friendship between Muriel and her friend Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths) that is the true love story.

The director, PJ Hogan, would direct My best friend’s wedding, one of the most famous romantic comedies of the 90s, but his later work wasn’t as groundbreaking as Muriel’s wedding. Well aware of the pitfalls of the rom-com genre and its notoriously unhappy heroines, Muriel’s wedding makes Muriel as strange as she is charming and encourages the audience to trust her. While the performances are what make the film, the perfect blend of genres and the moving story are what make it Muriel’s wedding a classic.

8

The incredibly true adventure of two girls in love (1995)

Directed by Maria Maggenti

The incredibly true adventure of two girls in love is not only an important piece of cinema because it follows the development of an LGBTQ+ relationship between two young women, but because it is a stellar film. Randy (Laurel Holloman) and Evie (Nicole Ari Parker) have different struggles and experiences. However, They are brought together by their feelings of ostracism from their small town and their emerging feelings for each other. Both a coming-of-age film and a romance, The incredibly true adventure of two girls in love It does not have a tragic or completely happy ending.

The other characters are far from accepting and understanding of Randy and Evie’s relationship. However, the film indicates that the pair intend to maintain their connection and each other’s. This differs from the many unhappy endings that LGBTQ+ films featured during this period, which often painted queer relationships as ending only in heartbreak. Fortunately, Randy and Evie get a good chance to explore their love, and the film approaches their growing feelings gently.

7

The Watermelon Woman (1996)

Directed byCheryl Dunye

Cheryl Dunye’s landmark film, The Watermelon Womanwas written, directed and starred by Dunye, making it a true piece of independent auteur cinema. The Watermelon Woman was the first feature film directed by an openly black lesbian, Dunye, and is considered one of the most important works of the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1990s. This movement was instrumental in bringing LGBTQ+ voices into mainstream cinema, and Dunye further pushed the boundaries by questioning the intersection between sexuality, race and gender in cinema.

However, the structure and style The Watermelon Woman were also heavily influential in their combination of documentary footage and Dunye’s invention of the titular Watermelon Woman. She is a combination of many black actors who were forgotten during cinema’s infancy and is important to Cheryl, who explores the Watermelon Woman’s past to inform her own opinion on cinema. Cheryl also discovers that the Watermelon Woman, who she discovers is actually a woman named Fae, is also a lesbian, which allows Cheryl to look critically at her own relationship.

6

Mississippi Masala (1991)

Directed by Mira Nair

One of Denzel Washington’s most replayable films, Mississippi Masalaexplores facets of race, class and family obligations through the beautiful love story of Demetrius (Washington) and Mina (Sarita Choudhury). Seeing interracial relationships on screen is an incredibly important part of what romance movies can do. Mississippi Masala explores cultural differences and expectations realistically and with nuance and empathy by the intensity and experience of immigration and racism in the United States. However, like all great romances, Mina and Demetrius don’t let their different worlds separate them.

The chemistry between Washington and Choudhury explodes on screen, making a compelling case for how underrated Washington is as a romantic lead. However, the lovers are not the only well-developed characters in the film. Mina’s parents have difficulty adapting to life in the US and miss their home in Uganda, which influences their decisions. Plus, it’s always exciting to watch a film written and directed by filmmakers, with Sooni Taraporevala writing the script and Mira Nair directing.

5

Metropolitan (1990)

Directed by Whit Stillman

Whit Stillman is best known for his trilogy about the wealthy youth elite of the 1980s, beginning with Metropolitan in 1990. Followed by Barcelona and The last days of discoEach film explores different parts of the ’80s, but they are retrospective explorations of this era, much like Stillman did in the ’90s. satirical and withering comments about the rich and their privileges are a well-known topicIt’s in the film. However, Metropolitan manages to communicate this heartbreak while also empathizing with its characters.

The viewer enters the world of wealthy college students and their lives in New York City through the lens of middle-class Tom. (Edward Clements), who is equally repelled and enchanted by their world. It’s easy for audiences to share these feelings, as the characters are charming and inviting, their world full of pleasure and connection. However, they are also not afraid to hurt and manipulate others for their own ends. This dichotomy exemplifies what makes Metropolitan special. It’s a class commentary that still translates today, while also being rooted in its time.

4

Before Sunrise (1995)

Directed by Richard Linklater

Richard Linklater’s best work as a filmmaker is without a doubt Before the Trilogythe seminal romantic works that explore the long-running romance between Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy). Hawke and Delpy were instrumental in developing the characters and their dialogue in the later films, but in the first movie, Before sunrisethe actors are still discovering Jesse and Céline and what they mean to each other. The stream-of-consciousness conversation between Jesse and Céline that surrounds the story is different from other plot-driven narratives of the time.

However, this character-oriented style and depth that Before sunrise What it does in exploring philosophical questions about love and modern life has been imitated time and time again in cinema. Even though the audience only spends a day and night with Jesse and Céline, their connection is potent and immediate, and their goodbye is moving. Additionally, the next episodes are filmed nine years apart and cover different stages of life, demonstrating how time can be used as a critical element of film production.

3

But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

Directed by Jamie Babbit

Hilarious, campy, but deeply emotionally resonant, But I’m a cheerleader has become one of the most enduring cult classics from the late 90s. The film is a satirical takedown of gender roles and homophobia, anchored by the sweet and sensitive performances of Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall as Megan and Graham, the young women who find love in a conversion camp. Covering Megan’s journey to self-acceptance and her realization that her sexual identity is something to be celebrated, But I’m a cheerleader was celebrated by LGBTQ+ and artistic audiences.

Although the film’s initial critical reception was mixed, But I’m a cheerleader has found its place in the romance canon and is an important addition to the history of LGBTQ+ cinema. While the film’s story and progressive themes are highlights, the look of the sets, costumes, and world contribute to the film’s unique appeal. Using bright colors and almost fairytale images, But I’m a cheerleader is highlighted by his exaggerated style, distancing himself from the evident realism of his contemporaries.

2

Chungking Express (1994)

Directed by Wong Kar-wai

It’s difficult to choose just one Wong Kar-wai film to include, as many of his romantic and revolutionary dramas were made in the 1990s. While Happy Together and Fallen Angels incorporate the atmospheric and visual elements that Wong is known for, Chungking Express offers all this and much more. Divided into two stories in an anthology format, Chungking Express It’s a love story between people. Chungking Express is also passionate about the cinematic medium itself and is often described as a film for cinephiles.

However, considering the film as a project that can only be enjoyed by frequent moviegoers is a mistake. The surrealistic visuals and twisty nature of the story take their time, but in doing so create an emotional impact that would touch any viewer. Tony Leung Chiu-wai, one of Wong’s frequent collaborators, appears in the film and gives one of his best performances as one of the police officers. Faye Wong stars opposite Leung in his section of the story, with Takeshi Kaneshiro and Brigitte Lin anchoring the first part of the film.

1

Rushmore (1998)

Directed by Wes Anderson

One of Wes Anderson’s first films remains one of his best and most exciting, as Rushmore explores not only romantic love, but also the journey to loving yourself and building community. While Max (Jason Schwartzman) spends the film in love with Rosemary (Olivia Williams), his most significant relationship is his friendship with Herman (Bill Murray), who ends up falling in love with Rosemary himself. Rushmore sees Anderson further advancing his quirky, eccentric style and exploring love more deeply.

Both visual style and writing in Rushmore were cited in discussions about the film’s legacy and influence, as it took adolescence and young love more seriously than other works by romance. Additionally, Max isn’t always the most likable character, as he makes many selfish decisions throughout the story before finally redeeming himself. However, the layered characterization is what makes the film incredible, along with the aesthetic of the project, which proved that Anderson was doing things differently than other filmmakers.