Some love stories never end happily ever after. In other films, the climax of the story is the first kiss, the first “I love you” or even a proposal. Or they detail how a once-prosperous relationship falls apart due to a breakup or divorce.
With some ugly tears, copious boxes of tissues, and heavy spoilers ahead, this is one of the most tragic romances in cinema. Considering films in which the death of one or both of the main characters is inevitable, regardless of whether the audience saw it or when it is only obvious in hindsight.
Jack and Rose - Titanic
James Cameron The epic disaster film tempts fate throughout its runtime with a few daring remarks about the world’s first unsinkable ship. Leonardo DiCaprio Jack Dawson is an impoverished artist who won a plane ticket. Titanic at the very last second. Kate Winslet Rose DeWitt Bukater is sailing with her future husband, the rich and arrogant Cale Hockley (Billy Zane).
Although they only have a few days together, the romance between Jack and Rose quickly blossoms after being rejected by Rose’s impending wedding. Jack represents the freedom that Rose longed for. Titanic drowns and a few survivors are rescued, she takes his name and is finally free.
Ellie and Jackson - “A Star Is Born”
Ally (Lady Gaga) and Jackson (Bradley Cooper) Relationships fall apart almost as fast as they form. In this fourth retelling A star is born story, Ellie is an unknown talent stumbled upon by Jackson, a seasoned, well-known country rock star. He takes her under his wing and they develop a relationship. Ellie’s fame then explodes, quickly overshadowing Jackson’s as she comes to her senses.
Jackson has struggled with alcohol and drug addiction all along, which eventually leads to some awkward public appearances. Ellie’s reputation begins to decline due to her association with him, and their relationship suffers. Jackson, suffering from a relapse, hangs himself after making sure he’s holding her back, leaving much of her life and music unwritten.
Christian and Satin - Moulin Rouge
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In the first few lines of the film, Satine’s death is no secret. Located in one of the most famous cabarets in Paris, Christian (Ewan McGregor) - a poor writer, in awe of the star of the series Satin (Nicole Kidman) in this jukebox. To get the patronage of the duke (Richard Roxburgh), Christian and Satine improvise a stage musical to attract new clients and bring the Moulin Rouge to life.
Satine finds herself in a love triangle between the Duke, who only wants to possess her, and Christian, who has fallen in love with her, all the while suffering from severe symptoms of a terminal illness. The show must go on, and Satine only has Christian for a moment, after all. As the curtain falls on a successful Moulin Rouge performance, she dies in his arms, fulfilling her dream of becoming a “real actress”.
Jack and Ennis - “Brokeback Mountain”
Brokeback Mountain tragedy hung over the characters throughout a story that deserved every Oscar it didn’t win. The action takes place in the 1960s, Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis (Heath Ledger) are stuck at the hard work of herding sheep around the mountain of the same name in Wyoming. The two begin an intimate, though not particularly romantic, relationship, immediately discovered by their boss.
The rest of the film spans the years of stolen nights on Brokeback Mountain as both men marry and start families that neither is completely satisfied with, wondering “what if” things were different. A tiny happy ending still looms on the horizon until Ennis learns that Jack has been murdered after being discovered. It ends with a tearful “what could have been” question and Ennis’ statement to keep on living.
Romeo and Juliet - Romeo + Juliet
No love story is more iconic tragedy than the story of Juliet and her dear Romeo. AT Baz Luhrmann1991 adaptation William Shakespeare The Montagues and the Capulets are rival gangs, not rival families, and the main characters are DiCaprio and Claire Danes who meet at the masquerade.
With some minor changes to the play’s setting and character names, the adaptation is largely faithful to Shakespeare’s original work, especially as far as the main characters are concerned. Romeo, believing that Juliet is dead, kills himself in desperation. When Juliet wakes up to see that Romeo has died, she shoots herself, and the two become costly victims of family feuds.
Maria and Tony - “West Side Story”
Another “Romeo and Juliet” between rival gangs has a major difference from the traditional tragedy, which distinguishes it from many derivative adaptations. 1961s West Side Story rival gangs, the Jets and Sharks, clash with each other over class and cultural differences. Mary is at the center of it allNatalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer).
The two fall in love despite their loyalty to their gangs and the social divisions between them, but tragedy inevitably strikes. Instead of a fatal untimely misunderstanding, Tony’s fate is decided by a frustrated lie that Maria has been killed. Desperate, Tony searches for Maria’s alleged killer, and just as they are reunited, Tony is shot and dies in her arms.
Hazel & Gus - “The Fault in Our Stars”
The book and its film adaptation, about children with cancer, can really only end in one way. Hazel (Shailene Woodley) goes to a cancer support group and meets Gus (Ansel Elgort), in remission for his own cancer. The two share their favorite books, Hazel being a vivid reflection of her own situation, ending in an abrupt and unsatisfying end. Looking for answers and a better ending, Hazel and Gus seek out the book’s author in Amsterdam.
The author, a surly and bitter man, has no conclusion that satisfies her, but the two try to make the most of their journey and Gus reveals that his cancer has returned and is incurable. Not long after, Gus dies, accepting his fate in a tearful, bittersweet ending that doesn’t work wonders for life’s short draws.
Gatsby and Daisy - The Great Gatsby
Baz Luhrmann’s third tragic novel and DiCaprio’s third tragic character on this list, Gatsby (DiCaprio/Robert Redford) and Daisy (Carey Mulligan/Mia Farrow) relationships are much less romantic than the titled Gatsby believes. Both 1974 and 2013 adaptations F. Scott Fitzgerald The American Classics is largely faithful to the plot of the book. Gatsby, having returned from World War I and made a fortune, is determined to rekindle his relationship with Daisy, who is already married and has a daughter.
Gatsby throws great parties in the hope that she will wander in and buy his house just because he is across the bay from Daisy’s house, stuck in the past and convinced that his wealth will be enough to win her over. The two are reunited and Daisy is enamored with Gatsby’s success - only his success. After a reckless driving accident, Daisy Gatsby is shot and quickly abandoned by both Daisy and all of his generous party guests who never thought of their master.
Source: Collider
