For the most part, I don’t think books from the romance genre translate very well onto film. So much of what makes a romance novel enjoyable is the introspection and emotional growth of the characters, and those qualities are very difficult to translate well onto film. Many of the “romantic” movies that hit it big are really adaptations from mainstream novels that have a romantic thread.
Without further ado, here are my favorite adaptations of books into romantic movies. With the exception of Pride & Prejudice, I don’t consider any of these books to be romance novels… but they translated onto screen beautifully.
Shining Through (1992, based on the novel by Susan Isaacs) One of my all-time favorite movies, based on a book by Susan Isaacs. I loved it, even though I don’t generally appreciate Melanie Griffith. The heroine plays a translator during WWII who works for an American spymaster. She gets sent undercover into Germany to do a little digging around. She is a brave character, Michael Douglas was at his most attractive, and it has a spectacular ending. Highly recommended for romance fans.
Pride & Prejudice (2005, based on the novel by Jane Austen) I know most Austen aficionados prefer the BBC Colin Firth version, and I can appreciate that, but its just a little too long for me. I thought the casting of the 2005 movie was spectacular, the cinematography gorgeous, and Matthew Macfadyen? Well, he made the movie for me. 
Prince of Tides (1991, based on a novel by Pat Conroy.) I’m not a fan of Barbra Streisand, but I adore Nick Nolte, and he was terrific in this movie. This movie did a great job of capturing some of the introspective elements of a romantic relationship that are hard to capture on film without veering into schmaltz. It was beautifully photographed and celebrated manhood, fatherhood, and working through the struggles of life. I love the movie, although some of the themes in this movie might not be suitable for conservative folks.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001, based on the novel by Helen Fielding) This was the book that launched the chick lit genre in 1996. I adored that book! At the time I first read it, I was a single woman and the themes of the book really resonated with me. I generally don’t care for movie adaptations of books I really enjoyed, but Renee Zellweger really pulled it off. Besides, a movie with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant? Sign me up!
Gone with the Wind (1939, based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell) Perhaps this is a predictable choice, but I couldn’t leave it off the list.
If you’ve missed any of these fantastic movies, Netflix is a wonderful thing!
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I think I have to agree and disagree with you. There are some movie adaptations of romance novels that were done extremely well, and I wish I could have a little time to dig some titles out.
And I absolutely agree with P&P 2005. Brilliant adaptation, the music and cinematography are breathtaking, and yes, Matthew Macfadyen is the best Mr. Darcy ever.
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Hi Cindy….. I’d LOVE to hear of good movies made from romance novels. Let me know if you have any suggestions!
In 2008, the BBC did new versions of some of Jane Austen’s novels. There’s still not a Persuasion I really like, but there’s *finally* a good Northanger Abbey, and their 2008 Sense and Sensibility is really good (as is the Hugh Grant/Emma Thompson version).
I too think Matthew Mcfadyen is the best Mr. Darcy. :o) I also love Kiera Knigtley as Lizzie. I like both this version and the Colin Firth version as they both have their own strengths.
Do you like Twilight? I thought they did a good job translating that saga to the screen. I like the movie version of A Walk to Remember also, even though it’s set in a different time period.
Hey Ann….. yup, I’ve both read and scene all the Twilight movies! I think the first one was tough going….. sooooooo much introspective thinking and gazing. This is the kind of thing that just doesn’t work for me. I liked it in the books, but for me it just didn’t translate well onto screen. The subsequent movies avoided this (different directors, I think.)