Romance movies show how love is shared and understood between partners. Men and women say they want love, but don't always communicate what that love means to them. The differences lead to comical dilemmas and happy consequences as they go about translating their love languages. The genre plays into the universal truth that love is blind.

Characters get lost in the feeling and lose track of the relationship. Other times, they must overcome life's stresses and obstacles to enjoy the love they desire. For romance to exist, there must be a steady, if not strong, beginning, a foundation to meet that happy ending. These opening scenes are the start of a promising romance.

So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)

So I Married an Axe Murderer stars Michael Myers as professional beat poet Charlie MacKenzie. He rhapsodizes about his relationships, turning his pain into art. Leading up to his performance, the camera takes in the sights and sounds of San Francisco.

The opening scene captured the feeling of the nineties: zany yet laid back. A tracking point of view shot follows a waitress holding a large cappuccino across the coffee shop. Charlie receives his order and introduces his brainy, bachelor self.

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Romeo + Juliet follows the Montague and Capulet families in this modernized retelling of Shakespeare's famous play. The forbidden love between the two lovers is soiled further by the constant rivalry of their families. The opening scene begins with a monologue from a news anchor. She masterfully reports the family feud and how it has resulted in higher crime rates.

Next, a gun fight in place of a sword fight breaks out between the Montague and Capulet clans at a gas station.

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

When Harry Met Sally... asks and attempts to answer an age-old question: can men and women just be friends? Harry argues that sex gets in the way of friendship. Meanwhile, Sally gets offended by Harry calling her attractive knowing he has a girlfriend, but also doesn't want him to retract his compliment.

The biological and philosophical car ride celebrates and puts the differences between men and women to the test.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Breakfast at Tiffany's shows the vicarious lifestyle of Holly Golightly. She chooses to seduce rich socialites and join café society instead of living her own life. She has an identity crisis later in the film. Prior to that, she spends most mornings window shopping over breakfast at Tiffany's, a diamond store. Her longing to be someone she's not or someone else is subtly heart-wrenching.

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Annie Hall (1977)

Annie Hall opens with a monologue from the Jewish actor, comedian, and filmmaker Woody Allen. He plays Alvy Singer, who grows pensive about his past relationship with Annie Hall. Alvy struggles to understand how the relationship began and lasted, considering and blaming his experiences with women from childhood for his adulthood.

Alvy is a ranting, worrisome, reasonable cynic who overthinks his relationships. The opening scene here is ironic foreshadowing and the epitome of the "it's not you, it's me" axiom.

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Before Sunrise (1995)

Before Sunrise begins with a train ride where an older couple are arguing. Céline removes herself from their barking and sits across from Jesse. They strike up a casual conversation about the couple's bickering and what they're reading. Jesse later talks about chance and choice, giving Céline the chance and choice to get to know him before they return to their lives.

The opening scene shows the beautiful juxtaposition of time and love working with and against each other.

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Meet Joe Black follows the personification of Death under the name Joe Black. Joe has come for the life of one man and has taken human form. However, Death as Joe has experienced what it means to be alive.

Overcome with emotion, he grows smitten with the dead man's daughter at the coffee shop. Death feeling alive for the first time, even if it's a fleeting moment, is the best kind of romance: existential love.

Speechless (1994)

Speechless is about two writers who fall in love after a fight over a box of sleep medicine at a hotel. The two soon learn that they are speechwriters for opposite political parties. Their politics lead to many disagreements, jeopardizing their love in the process. It's a textbook meet cute, but a reminder to use better words, words of affirmation, in the relationship.

Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Splendor in the Grass is a coming-of-age romance involving two high school sweethearts, Bud and Deanie. They are at a crossroads when it comes to self-discovery and the expectations of their parents. The teens lack physical intimacy and the pressures to follow traditional values causes a strain in their relationship.

The opening scene takes place at a New Year's Eve party, where Bud rescues his sister Ginny from being sexually assaulted. Such sexual repression can convey the wrong message, intentionally and unintentionally, which prompts Bud to secure an equal bond with Deanie.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner opens with interracial couple John and Joanna traveling home to meet the latter's parents. They walk through the airport enjoying each other's banter and company. They take a cab ride, John voicing his concerns and Joanna her excitement. Despite the racial tensions of the day, the two prove that love conquers all.