The 1970s have certainly been a golden decade in terms of movies. From ingenious comedies to extravagant musicals, the 10-year period boasts a long list of cults. Among these, romances shine particularly brightly, offering narratives filled with pᴀssion and drama through unique stories that capture the nuances and complexities of human relationships.

However, not all these movies have happy endings. Many of the most romantic tales of the era embraced a different path from the traditional rom-com’s cheerful conclusion, and they opted for more dramatic, often realistic resolutions, that would emphasize not just the beauty of love but also its complications and, sometimes, its fleeting nature. By focusing on the fragile beauty of relationships and the pain of separation or loss, these films portray love’s impact on the human soul, even in its impermanence, making these stories profoundly memorable.

10

Love Story (1970)

Directed By Arthur Hiller

This beautiful romance follows Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal as Jennifer, an intelligent musician from a working-class background and Oliver Barrett, a rich Harvard law student. Despite their differences, the characters fall in love, defying societal expectations and familial disapproval.

The movie portray the relationship in a deeply moving manner, highlighting their reciprocated devotion and loyalty. As the couple battles against the external forces attempting to put an end to their bond, a more cruel obstacle insinuates between them. Jennifer’s terminal illness is the final strand of the relationship, destroying the momentary happiness they believed they could obtain.

Oliver’s heartfelt grief in the final moments cements the film’s reputation as one of the most emotional stories of its time. With its tragic ending, Love Story is a touching cult with a legacy that keeps on inspiring pop culture, serving as a testament to the multifaceted nature of love, emphasizing its simultaneous strength and fragility.

9

A Swedish Love Story (1970)

Directed By Roy Andersson

This Swedish film, written and directed by Roy Andersson when he was only twenty-seven, depicts the tender romance between two teenagers, Annika and Pär. The movie portrays the innocence and beauty of their relationship with subtlety and realism, capturing those simple moments of connection that define first love. The sweet and youthful demeanor and bond between the characters is a sharp contrast to the harsh domestic lives, an omen of a darker fate that expects them around the corner.

As the story evolves, the weight of adulthood and pressures begins to overshadow their relationship. The film’s sad ending reflects the fleeting nature of youthful love, often doomed to fail since its origins. Rather than offering resolution, it leaves viewers with a sense of nostalgia and longing for a lost time, when love felt easy and pure.

8

Harold and Maude (1971)

Directed By Hal Ashby

One of the most unconventional romances ever portrayed on screen, Harold and Maude depicts the unlikely relationship between a young man obsessed with death (Harold) and a vivacious 79-year-old woman with an enthusiasm for life (Maude). The story evolves, and the lady teaches the boy to recognize his existence as a gift.

With irony and wit, the movie explores the tender bond the characters develop based on mutual respect, emotional vulnerability, and rejection of societal norms. The premise of the story already suggested there would not be a happily-ever-after type of finale. By the end of the movie, Maude, who has lived a fulfilling life, decides to depart on her terms.

Harold, as a consequence, had to deal with the grief of losing the person who taught him the value and joy of existence. However, he is also left with a beautiful memory and newly acquired wisdom. Through the sad, heart-wrenching ending, the romance explores themes of loneliness and acceptance, teaching its protagonist and the viewer to seize the moment.

7

Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

Directed By John Schlesinger

Upon release, Sunday Bloody Sunday received critical acclaim for its intelligent and socially aware portrayal of homoSєxuality, which was a more controversial subject in films of the 1970s. The drama follows the story of a love triangle. Murray Head is a young man in his mid-twenties who has a relationship with a gay middle-aged Jewish doctor, Daniel (Peter Finch), and a divorced woman in her mid-30s, Alex. Bob is divided between his love for Daniel and his Sєxual attraction to women.

By the end of the movie, however, each character is left on their own. Daniel realizes that, despite their deep connection, his relationship with Bob is unfulfilling. Sunday Bloody Sunday explores the limitations of love and the inevitability of change. The love triangle comes to an end, leaving the protagonists and the viewers with a sense of melancholy.

6

The Way We Were (1973)

Directed By Sydney Pollack

One of the most beloved romances from the 1970s, the cult stars Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford as the leading characters. The plot follows Katie Morosky, a politically-active Jewish woman, and Hubbell Gardiner, a fascinating, carefree man from an affluent family. The movie explores their love story between the highs and the lows, their obvious mutual attraction, evolving interest and connection, but also their different values and how they keep on persisting and creating problems.

Despite the authenticity of their affection, the relationship between Katie and Hubbell crumbles under the pressure of real life’s challenges and the different approaches they adapt to deal with them. The sad ending captures the bittersweet essence of lost love and unfulfilled potential. Although the romance is one of Barbra Streisand’s best movies, The Way We Were leaves the viewers with an uncomfortable reflection: sometimes, love is not enough.

5

The Great Gatsby (1974)

Directed By Jack Clayton

Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, the 1974 adaptation with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow has brought to the screen the tragic soul of the book. In either production, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan do not get to live happily ever after. Gatsby, a wealthy but mysterious man, is driven by a love for Daisy, whom he met and fell for before going off to war.

When they reconnect, Gatsby believes he can recreate the past and win Daisy back, despite her marriage to Tom Buchanan. Unfortunately, the woman does not seem to love him as much as he loves her. In a sequence of misunderstandings and bad luck, tragedy strikes as Redford’s character is killed by George Wilson, Tom’s ally, who believes Gatsby is responsible for his wife’s death.

The film’s sad endings highlight the futility of Gatsby’s dreams and the destructive nature of his unattainable love for someone who does not truly reciprocate. Despite the mixed reviews it received, the movie’s heartbreaking resolution is a homage to Fitzgerald’s doomed love story.

4

A Star Is Born (1976)

Directed By Frank Pierson

Written and directed by Frank Pierson, A Star is Born follows seasoned rock musician John Norman Howard (played by Kris Kristofferson) as he falls in love with a talented and ambitious young singer, Esther Hoffman (Barbra Streisand). However, their paths soon begin to go opposite ways, as Esther rises to fame while John’s professional and personal life spiral downward due to his struggles with alcoholism.

Their relationship is not an easy ride, and Esther tries to balance her success while caring for John. Regardless of their shared love, however, John is unable to fight his inner demons and ultimately keeps on falling into the downward spiral he is trapped in, leading to one of the most heartbreaking conclusions in the history of romantic dramas.

The film’s tragic ending underscores themes of self-destruction, the cost of fame, and the limits of love as a healing power. With an impeccable musical score and profoundly emotional performances that honor the tragic nature of the story, A Star Is Born is a classic romance from the 1970s with a sad ending.

3

The Goodbye Girl (1977)

Directed By Herbert Ross

This romantic comedy-drama stars Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason as two unlikely roommates. Paula is a dancer who has recently been dumped by her boyfriend and who has a ten-year-old daughter. She ends up sharing her apartment with her ex-boyfriend’s new roommate, aspiring actor Elliot. Despite their initial conflicts and very different personalities, the two begin to develop a deep connection.

However, the relationship between the two faces challenges as Elliot’s career and personal insecurities begin to interfere. In the end, although the film does not end in tragedy, there is a bittersweet taste to it, emphasized by Paula’s fear of abandonment and the fragility of relationships as Elliot has to leave for four weeks for a new job at an improvisational theatre. The Goodbye Girl is a poignant exploration of second chances and the difficulty of trusting others after being hurt, leaving viewers with a mix of hope and sadness about the potential for lasting love amidst life’s complexities.

2

Annie Hall (1977)

Directed By Woody Allen

Without any doubt, Woody Allen’s Annie Hall became a groundbreaking phenomenon when it came out. The movie explores in an unprecedented way the complexities of love and relationships through the lens of neurotic comedian Alvy Singer and the witty, free-spirited Annie Hall, interpreted by Diane Keaton.

The film captures the nuances of a love story, from the pᴀssionate, optimistic beginning to its eventual unraveling with sharp irony and poignant realism. Because it defies expectations, Allen could not go for the classical rom-com happily ever after the finale. The film ends on a bittersweet note, as Alvy acknowledges that their love was special but ultimately not meant to last.

In a painfully relatable way, Annie Hall explores the impermanence of romance, encouraging the characters and viewers alike to accept love’s fleeting nature and the inevitability of change in relationships. With four Academy Awards (including one for Best Picture), the romance is a groundbreaking masterpiece that defies traditional happy endings.

1

Heaven Can Wait (1978)

Directed By Warren Beatty & Buck Henry

Directed by Warren Beatty, who also stars as the main character, Joe Pendleton, and Buck Henry, Heaven Can Wait is an intelligent comedy-drama about a professional football player who is mistakenly taken to heaven by his guardian angel. After his premature death, Joe discovers that he was supposed to live until 2025 and is given a second chance to return to Earth through the body of Leo Jerome, a wealthy millionaire.

As Joe adapts to his new life yet refuses to give up on his old dreams, he falls in love with Leo’s widow, Betty. The film explores themes of love, fate, and the unpredictability of life. In the end, Joe is forced to make a difficult decision, sacrificing the memories of his past life to accept another chance on Earth. Although the film ends on a more hopeful note, the conclusion still has a bittersweet shade.