Romantic London DVDs

Forget Paris, LONDON is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. Want to watch some romantic English movies to transport you to this greatest of cities? Here's my pick of the bunch.

Notting Hill *****

Cool, quirky, and hopelessly, sappilly romantic, as a red-blooded male I’m slightly ashamed to say that I love this film. Set in trendy Notting Hill in West London it’s another romantic comedy of the Hugh Grant variety – but something about this one sets it apart. Yes, Hugh’s a bit of a loser in love who falls head-over-heels for an unattainable lady – the most famous actress in the world. But yes too, this is genuinely funny, touching and human story – all set to the backdrop of an idealised London. Notting Hill in the film shows many faces of London – the multiculturalised area, the celebrity obsession, the quirkiness and curiousness of everyday life there and the silliness and vulnerability of the English. Watch the movie and walk down Portabello Road on your next trip to London to bring it all back. I could think of few better films to get you in the mood for a trip to England’s capital. Highly recommended.

Brief encounter [1945] *****

Brief encounter is a slight impostor in the Romantic London list: it’s not set in London (though it was partially shot there) – but I reckon it’s THE classic English 40s romance movie. And if you want to understand ‘old-style’ English restraint, it’s a must-see. If I say it’s about the furtive story of a doomed affair it sounds tawdry and twee: in fact it’s a love story so tightly-wound you feel the stifled passion might spring out at any moment. It tells the story of a housewife smothered by her suburban life and her love for a man she can’t have – common theme in English movies, it seems - it’s also in black and white, but that doesn’t mean it’s no good. A must-watch to get in the mind of the restrained English middle classes you’re bound to meet on any trip over in the UK. Grab some popcorn and chocolate and a hot drink and watch it on a rainy Sunday afternoon. You’ll be glad you did. Recommended.

Four Weddings and a Funeral [1994] ****

The film which set Hugh Grant firmly on his way to to superstardom is as relevant and funny today as it was when it was made, though it’s amazing to realise that’s over a decade and a half ago. Through four weddings – yes, and a funeral – Hugh Grant’s character falls in love with an unobtainable American girl. Two of the weddings are in London and you also get to see other parts of the UK as well. Crammed with rich seams of wry English humour it’s a very good movie as well as a great way to get you in the ‘English’ mood.

Bridget Jones’s Diary [2001] ****

Romantic Comedy with a fabulous performance from Renee Zellweger as the thirty-something diaryist who just can’t get lucky in love, open her mouth without saying something she didn’t mean to, or stop dressing up in bunny costumes. Her attentions are drawn to two men – one suitable, the other not. It’s a funny and warm-hearted film which shows off some cool parts of London you may well end up wanting to visit. From the cool Borough Market with its organic meats and vegetables which is only a few yards from Bridget’s flat above the Globe Pub, to the trendy restaurant in the Tate Modern, much of this was shot on location and is still exactly as it appears. Recommended.

Sliding doors [1998] ****

What happens if you just miss a London Underground train? This movie tells the story of two parallel universes: where a recently-fired PR executive falls in love with two separate men. The tube’s an important character in the feel of the movie, and bits were filmed on Hammersmith Bridge too. It’s got a very “London” feel to it, in a nice kind of way, especially for the 30something. Gwyneth Paltrow stars, and she’s very good in it too.

Pride and Prejudice box set [1996]*****

Another naughty choice for Romantic London because, well, frankly London doesn’t feature much in this mini-series. Or at all in fact. But I can’t resist putting this on the list because (a) it really is fantastic, and (b) it is the embodiment of romantic English costume drama and literature. If you’ve never heard of it then there’s a good chance you’ve been living in a cave the last few years. But get a copy today and set your heart aflutter.

This BBC version is far superior to later and earlier movie and TV versions – the BBC after all seem to have been put on earth just to produce programmes like this.

Over more than 5 hours you trace the romance of Elizabeth Bennet with the seemingly-haughty Mr Darcy in some of the most ‘English’ scenes you’ll ever see or read. It is achingly romantic and the acting, the costumes, and (for the ladies) the leading man Colin Firth are second to none. I couldn't recommend this any higher.

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