Hollywood loves to tie everything up in a neat little bow. Sometimes that means the leading lady has to forgive some dude for not being honest and doing some shady stuff because they can't not end up together. Sometimes two people who treated each other horribly the whole film have to do an about-face and pretend they're actually in love but were too scared to admit it — but now they know that love truly is. Sometimes people just settle.Maybe that stuff happens in real life, too, but more often than not, messy romantic situations are resolved by walking away. People break up all the time. People ghost. People decide, Fuck it, I'd rather Netflix and chill by myself than go out with some emotionally crippled ass-hat. Even when they love said ass-hat for some reason.
So, kudos to these films for reminding us that love can be fleeting and that happy endings don't have to be so cookie-cutter. We wish there were more like you.
Roman Holiday(1953)
This is arguably the greatest rom-com of all time, and it might be because they don't wind up together. The goodbye scene ("So happy, Mr. Bradley") gets us every single time.
Annie Hall(1977)
Woody Allen captures the warts-and-all reality of relationships here, so it would be disingenuous for Alvy and Annie to patch things up and live happily ever after. Instead, their crosswalk parting remains one of the most memorable film scenes, ever.
Broadcast News(1987)
A flash-forward at the film's end shows us that, mercifully, Jane (Holly Hunter) does not take Tom (William Hurt) back after his journalistic misdeeds simply because he looks good in a tux. Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks) never really gets anywhere with his crush, but he does at least find someone to procreate with. Every cloud.
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Even after all that scheming, Julia Roberts ends up solo. Solo with an amazing gay bestie, but still.
The Object of My Affection (1998)
Considering that Paul Rudd's character is gay, there weren't too many ways they could play it.
Almost Famous (2000)
Frankly, Penny is bound to have way more fun hanging out in Morocco than shacking up with William.
The Break-Up (2006)
There are moments when we're rooting for a reconciliation, but it's better that Gary and Brooke stay separated.
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
No matter how hard you crush on someone, no matter how often you hear The Temper Trap when they're with you, no matter what, things just aren't always meant to be.
Lola Versus(2012)
Lola doesn't just not get the guy (having been dumped by her hot husband-to-be); she doesn't get the back-up guy, either. And yet she throws herself a barbecue and invites everyone over, anyway. Yassss, girl.
Don Jon (2013)
Barbara Sugarman just can't deal with the porn obsession.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
What It's Really Like To Fight For Diversity In Hollywood
This Movie Starring A Real-Life Couple Will Be A Complete Cryfest
Here Are Refinery29's 2016 Oscar Predictions