Best rom-coms since When Harry Met Sally
When Harry Burns first met Sally Albright two and a half decades ago, their slow-burning romance took a while to take off.
But when audiences across the world watched When Harry Met Sally in 1989, it was love at first sight.
Now in the week of its 25th anniversary, the film directed by Rob Reiner remains the quintessential romantic comedy.
It certainly helps that Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal offered a charisma and chemistry unmatched by most rom-coms produced since.
And that's without mentioning THAT fake orgasm scene and the "I'll have what she's having" line.
But here are a few flicks that have come close.
PRETTY WOMAN (1990)
The movie that made Julia Roberts a star.
The audience's heart melts with Edward's (Richard Gere) as he watches an oblivious Vivian singing Prince's Kiss in the bathtub.
It's your typical Cinderella love-conquers-the-class-divide story, between an LA hooker and a Wall Street raider.
But Roberts' dazzling smile and Gere's effortless charm makes this a classic - even if you feel cheap afterwards.
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1993)
Meg Ryan had already captured moviegoers' hearts as Sally, but she maintained expectations in her role as Annie, who's slightly less volatile and less public-fake-orgasmic.
Her and co-star Tom Hanks, who plays Sam, already had a chance to develop their on-screen chemistry when they starred together in Joe Versus the Volcano (1990).
And just like this story about two people destined for one another, the pair also went on to star together in rom-com You've Got Mail (1998).
GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)
More than 20 years after its release, audiences are still willing to be delighted by Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell over, and over, and over again.
Like the film's plot, it's the same every time, and seems to have been around forever - but that's exactly its appeal.
Plus, no one can turn down a story of redemption, and a romantic snow sculpture.
MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING (1997)
Julia Roberts' gleaming smile and lively red mane is on display again in this wonderful love triangle.
Roberts plays down-to-earth Jules, the best friend and former flame of sportswriter Michael (Dermot Mulroney), who is now marrying rich, skittish Kimmy (Cameron Diaz), who can't sing karaoke to save her life.
But does Michael want creme brulee, or is he more comfortable with Jell-O?
"I HAVE to be Jell-O!" Kimmy declares.
Suffice to say there's not a happy ending for everyone.
But not before a delicious performance from Rupert Everett as Jules' gay British friend George.
NOTTING HILL (1999)
There are moments that make the heart melt in this feel-good British rom-com involving a fruitarian, a flatmate called Spike and an American film star named Anna.
It's Julia Roberts, of course, who wooed audiences everywhere just as much as she did the down-trodden William Thacker (Hugh Grant), aptly nicknamed Flopsy as a child.
It's a classic partly because Grant is his daggy, self-deprecating self.
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (1999)
It's not every day you find a girl who'll flash someone to get you out of detention.
And that was exactly what rebellious boy-hating teenager Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles did for Patrick (Heath Ledger), whom she hates, but doesn't really. Not even a little bit, not even at all.
This modern-day American take on Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew, set in a Seattle high school, is witty and sharp.
Also starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Bianca's (Larisa Oleynik) pining love interest Cameron, the film is full of golden quotes, subtle Shakespeare references, and features Heath Ledger's memorable rendition of I Love You Baby.
NEVER BEEN KISSED (1999)
"I'm not Josie Grossie anymore!"
And with that, 25-year-old copy editor Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore) goes back to high school as an undercover reporter to confront her teenage demons.
And it comes complete with all your traditional stereotypes - the cool kids, the nerds, the sporty ones, and the Rastafarian boys who give Josie her first taste of a hash cake.
But what really hooked audiences was the blossoming love between Josie, pretending to be 17, and her sexy English teacher Sam (Michael Vartan).
The whole forbidden teacher-student relationship plot line is tantalising enough, then there's a cliched but satisfying first kiss in the middle of a baseball pitch.
BRIDGET JONES' DIARY (2001)
It's universally acknowledged that Colin Firth is responsible for the daggy Christmas jumper trend that has gripped the world.
As true as mini-gherkins are the height of sophistication, and the gravy does need sieving, Firth's portrayal of snob-turned-romantic Mr Darcy is irresistible.
As is Renee Zellweger's Bridget, with her flailing self-esteem and ever-growing thighs, that can't climb up a fireman's pole quite as well as they can slide down one.
Yes, Hugh Grant's in this one, too. And yes, it makes a difference.
His own throw-in line of "Hello, Mummy" made Bridget's enormous panties all the more endearing.
LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)
Screenwriter Richard Curtis tapped into the same feel-good vibe as he did with Notting Hill, and the response was similar.
Critics didn't go crazy with enthusiasm, but its all-star cast and ridiculous subplots have enough gold to please nearly every Scrooge come Christmas Eve.
Bill Nighy nails the ageing rocker, Emma Thompson handcrafts brilliant nativity lobster heads, and Alan Rickman utilises his delightful Professor Snape-esque sneer.
And don't forget Hugh Grant, playing Hugh Grant.
