The Best May-December Romance Movies
The Older Woman Exudes Power, Beauty, Wisdom to a Younger Man
Oct 12, 2009
There’s nothing quite like the May-December romance in which one partner is significantly older than the other. Mainstream movies frequently depict an aging leading man with a much-younger rising starlet – just think of any movie in the James Bond franchise. So the less frequent situation – at least by Hollywood standards – when an older leading lady hooks up with a much-younger rising star understandably draws more attention.
Older Women in May-December Romances
In the reversed situation (older man with much-younger woman), the female partner generally looks for a father figure, as in the case of Charade where Audrey Hepburn’s character seeks the comfort and wisdom of an older man (Cary Grant) during a time of crisis. Likewise, younger men attracted to older women (cougars) usually seek the maternal love they didn’t get as children and still crave as adults. Naturally, the objects of their desire aren’t stodgy little old ladies in tennis shoes, but women who exude a powerful mixture of physical attractiveness and personal confidence.
The Strange Case of Harold and Maude
Highly uncommon films, such as the defiant 1971 cult classic Harold and Maude, represent exceptions to this rule. In this movie, Harold (Bud Cort) and Maude (Ruth Gordon) lack the idealized physical traits associated with romantic comedy leads, she is 60 years his senior, and their “meet cute” scene takes place at a funeral. Even so, this dark romantic comedy fits into the May-December tradition of a sexually charged version of his mother (or perhaps his grandmother) teaching the much younger man the ways of the world, and providing the love he never received in his childhood.
Can May-December Romances Last?
Because these pairings begin with built-in problems – such as generational differences in attitudes, family and friend disapproval, varied stages in the life cycle – any additional challenges can overwhelm the couple. Therefore, like in traditional off-screen love relationships, in about half the cases these romances end with a traumatic breakup. So be warned, in the following list of best May-December romance movies, the ending isn’t always happy.
Romantic Leading Ladies: Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Helen Mirren, Cher, Anne Bancroft
Cheri (2009)
In this drama set in late 19th century France, a former courtesan requests that a rival teach her son (a much younger man) about physical love. The brief affair turns into a six-year relationship until fate intervenes.
- Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates, Rupert Friend, Felicity Jones, Frances Tomelty, Anita Pallenberg, Harriet Walter, Iben Hjejle
- Director: Stephen Frears
- Writer: Christopher Hampton (screenplay); Colette (novels)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy Drama
- Run Time: 92 minutes
- Rating: R (for some sexual content and brief drug use)
The Proposal (2009)
A pushy book editor forces her younger male assistant to fake a wedding engagement to her so she can avoid deportation. A diligent immigration officer handling her case puts pressure on the couple to tie the knot for real.
- Starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White, Denis O’Hare, Malin Akerman, Oscar Nunez, Aasif Mandvi
- Director: Anne Fletcher
- Writer: Peter Chiarelli
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Run Time: 108 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (for sexual content, nudity, and language)
The Passion of Ayn Rand (1999)
Based on the nonfiction book by Barbara Branden, this film details the affair between novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand and her much younger protégé Nathaniel Branden (who was married to Barbara at the time of the affair). Helen Mirren portrays the charismatic author who takes what she wants from those around her, and Eric Stoltz plays Nathaniel who starts the Ayn Rand Institute to spread her philosophies.
- Also Starring Julie Delpy, Peter Fonda, Sybil Temtchine, Tom McCamus, Don McKellar, David Ferry, Donald Carrier
- Director: Christopher Menaul
- Writers: Howard Korder, Mary Gallagher (screenplay); Barbara Branden (book)
- Genre: Romantic Drama
- Run Time: 104 minutes
- Rating: Not Rated
- Additional Information: Helen Mirren also starred in the similarly seductive-older-woman themed movie The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone.
Moonstruck (1987)
A superstitious widow plans to marry a mama’s boy until she meets his physically and emotionally wounded younger brother and sparks begin to fly. The situation makes her face her biggest fears in order to move on with her life.
- Starring Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, Julie Bovasso, John Mahoney, Louis Guss
- Director: Norman Jewison
- Writer: John Patrick Shanley
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Run Time: 102 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Additional Information: The film won Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Cher), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Olympia Dukakis), and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (John Patrick Shanley).
The Graduate (1967)
In this breakout role for Dustin Hoffman, a recent college graduate struggling to decide on a career finds himself being pursued by the aggressive wife of his father’s business partner. Their secret affair explodes into chaos when he falls in love with her daughter.
- Starring Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, William Daniels, Murray Hamilton, Elizabeth Wilson, Buck Henry, Norman Fell, Alice Ghostley
- Director: Mike Nichols
- Writer: Calder Willingham, Buck Henry (screenplay); Charles Webb (novel)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy Drama
- Run Time: 105 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Additional Information: Mike Nichols won an Academy Award for Best Director with this influential film.
For more information about new DVD releases of Cheri and The Proposal, read Romantic Movie DVD Releases for October 2009.
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