8 Recommendations for Long-Distance Love Films that Test Loyalty

Kapanlagi.com - Long-distance love films tell stories about couples who must navigate their relationships with the limitations of distance, work, education, and family circumstances. These conflicts can evoke strong emotions in the audience, as they depict two people who love each other but are hindered from communicating from different places.

The stories of long-distance relationships in films do not always end happily. Some of them even show how distance can lead to loneliness, jealousy, shifting priorities, and the decision to either maintain or end the relationship.

As a reference, here KapanLagi presents 8 recommendations for films that tell stories of love separated by distance and time, Thursday (27/8).

1. Like Crazy

Like Crazy (Imdb)

Like Crazy (2011) tells the story of Anna, a student from England, who is studying in Los Angeles and is in a relationship with Jacob, an American student. Problems arise when Anna has to return to England after violating visa regulations by staying longer in the United States.

After being separated by the distance between England and the United States, Anna and Jacob try to maintain their relationship. The distance then becomes an increasingly complicated issue as both begin to lead their own lives.

This film directed by Drake Doremus is a relevant choice for the theme of long-distance relationships (LDR) because the issue of long-distance relationships is a central part of the story. Anna and Jacob's relationship also shows how distance can affect trust, life choices, and the feelings of two people who were once so close.

2. Dear John

Dear John (2010) - Imdb

Dear John (2010) tells the story of John Tyree, a soldier in the United States Army, who meets Savannah Curtis while on leave. They fall in love, but must part ways when John returns to his military duties.

John and Savannah maintain their relationship through letters. The situation changes after the September 11, 2001 attacks lead John to extend his service. Their relationship must face distance and uncertainty that lasts longer than initially planned.

This film starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried shows that long-distance relationships can be affected by circumstances beyond the couple's control. The letters in the story serve as a means of communication and a connection for two people who cannot meet in person.

3. Going the Distance

Going the Distance (2010) - Imdb

Going the Distance (2010) follows Erin and Garrett who meet in New York and then start a relationship. Problems arise when Erin has to return to San Francisco after her internship in New York ends. The two then try to maintain their relationship from two different cities.

Unlike Dear John, this film presents a long-distance relationship through a romantic comedy approach. Erin and Garrett have to schedule time to meet, face work issues, and consider the future of their relationship.

The story shows that LDR is not just about longing. Decisions regarding careers, living locations, travel costs, and life plans can also determine whether a relationship can survive.

4. 10,000 KM

10,000 KM (2014) - Imdb

10,000 KM (2014) is a Spanish romantic drama film that follows Alexandra and Sergi, a couple who must navigate their relationship from Barcelona to Los Angeles. Alexandra receives an opportunity to participate in a one-year program in Los Angeles, forcing them to face a distance of about 10,000 kilometers.

They utilize technology to keep their relationship going. Communication through digital devices becomes an important part of their lives while they are apart.

This film is appealing to viewers who want to see long-distance relationships from a more realistic perspective. Time zone differences, the need for communication, and changes in each other's lives can put pressure on a relationship that initially seems to be going well.

5. Past Lives

Past Lives (2023) - Imdb

Past Lives (2023) tells the story of Nora and Hae Sung, two childhood friends who are separated after Nora's family moves from South Korea. They reconnect as adults, living in different countries.

This film does not portray long-distance relationships as couples who communicate every day. The focus of the story is broader, exploring how distance, time, and life choices affect the relationship of two people with a long history.

Therefore, Past Lives is more accurately described as a film about love separated by distance and time. The story is suitable for viewers seeking a romantic tale with conflicts regarding feelings, opportunities, and lives that have taken different paths.

6. Beautiful Sejuba

Beautiful Sejuba Loving the Knight of the Country (2018) - imdb

Beautiful Sejuba: Loving the Knight of the Country (2018) highlights the life of Sharifah who marries Jaka, a soldier. After getting married, Sharifah must navigate household life with her husband often assigned far from home.

The distance in this film is not caused by education or a choice to live in different cities, but rather the demands of military duty. Sharifah has to wait for Jaka's return when her husband is on duty, including assignments abroad.

This film, starring Putri Marino and Wafda Saifan Lubis, showcases the long-distance relationship from the perspective of household life. Waiting, family responsibilities, and job risks become part of the trials faced by the couple.

7. London Love Story

London Love Story (2016) - Imdb

London Love Story (2016) tells the story of Dave and Caramel who have a love story set in London. Their story is about a relationship that is separated by distance and time before they are reunited.

Dave has to continue his studies in London, while his relationship with Caramel faces challenges after they are apart. The story then develops when they are both back in the same city and various issues from the past begin to surface.

This film, starring Dimas Anggara and Michelle Ziudith, can be a choice for viewers looking for an Indonesian romantic film with elements of separation and reunion.

8. What’s Up with Cinta? 2

What's Up with Love? 2 (2016) - imdb

What’s Up with Cinta? 2 (2016) continues the story of Rangga and Cinta after they broke up at the end of the first film. Rangga goes to New York, while Cinta stays in Indonesia. After years of not meeting, they are reunited in Yogyakarta.

This film shows the impact of a long separation on Rangga and Cinta's relationship. When they meet again, both have been living their own lives. Cinta has even become engaged to Trian, while Rangga has long been living and working in New York.

What’s Up with Cinta? 2 is interesting to include in the list of long-distance love films because the story does not stop at the issue of maintaining a relationship from two different places. This film also questions whether the feelings that once existed still have a place after time has passed and their lives have changed.

9. Questions and Answers About Long-Distance Love Films

1. What films tell stories about long-distance relationships?

Some films that highlight long-distance relationships include Like Crazy, Dear John, Going the Distance, 10,000 KM, Jelita Sejuba, and What's Up with Love? 2.

2. Which film is most suitable for viewing the realistic side of LDR relationships?

Like Crazy and 10,000 KM can be good choices because the conflicts of long-distance relationships are an important part of the story. Both show how distance can affect communication and the lives of couples.

3. What Indonesian film is about couples who must be apart?

Jelita Sejuba depicts the life of Sharifah as a soldier's wife who often has to be apart from her husband due to military duties. What's Up with Love? 2 also shows Rangga and Cinta who are separated for years before they meet again.

4. Which film tells a story of love separated by countries?

Like Crazy features a couple separated between the United States and the United Kingdom, while 10,000 KM follows a couple maintaining a relationship between Los Angeles and Barcelona.

5. What are the common challenges in long-distance relationships?

These films illustrate several issues, such as limited meetings, communication, work, education, family demands, changing priorities, and uncertainty about the future of the relationship.

(kpl/rul)