Unhappily ever after

Unrequited love, unfulfilled longing, romances that didn't work out. These 10 onscreen couples broke each other's hearts, and ours too

- Sneha Krishnan

1 In The Mood For Love (2000). It's impossible to watch this movie, set in '60s Hong Kong, and not crush on Chow (Tony Chiu-wai) and Su (Maggie Cheung). They're neighbours, their spouses travel often on work. Dining alone sucks, so they meet for meals. Turns out, their spouses are seeing each other. Our cuckolded couple takes the high road even as they fall fiercely, privately in love with each other too. Director Wong Kar-wai really twists the knife with his scenes!

2 Call Me By Your Name (2017). Summer is short. So was the romance between the 17-year-old Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and 24-year-old Oliver (Armie Hammer). Luca Guadagnino's film is set in Italy of the '80s. Love blossoms slowly, burns fierce. But it's taboo and stays hidden even as the two men explore their love for literature, history and music. The end leaves you devastated. Watch it to see how even short-lived love can cut deeply.