Love Across Class Lines: 10 Melodramas to Watch

Description: In this classic, Sabrina Fairchild, the daughter of a chauffeur, falls in love with David Larrabee, a playboy from a wealthy family. Her transformation in Paris and the subsequent love triangle highlight the class divide.

Fact: The film was remade in 1995 with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. The original script was adapted from a play by Samuel Taylor.

Description: This iconic film tells the story of Vivian Ward, a spirited prostitute, and Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman, whose chance encounter leads to an unexpected romance. It's a quintessential tale of love transcending class boundaries.

Fact: Julia Roberts was not the first choice for the role of Vivian; several other actresses were considered before she was cast. The film was initially conceived as a darker, more cynical story.

Description: Set against the backdrop of the ill-fated ship, this epic romance between Rose, a first-class passenger, and Jack, a third-class artist, epitomizes the struggle of love across class lines.

Fact: The film was the first ever to be released on video while it was still being shown in theaters. It won 11 Academy Awards, tying the record set by "Ben-Hur" and later "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."

Description: While not strictly about a rich-poor divide, Mia Thermopolis's transformation from an ordinary high school girl to a princess showcases the challenges of adapting to a new social class and the expectations that come with it.

Fact: Julie Andrews, who plays Queen Clarisse Renaldi, was initially hesitant to take the role, feeling it was too light-hearted for her. The film was based on a series of novels by Meg Cabot.

Description: Marisa Ventura, a hotel maid, is mistaken for a wealthy guest by a charming politician, leading to a romantic entanglement that challenges both their worlds. This film explores the Cinderella-like transformation and the societal barriers that love must overcome.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life incident where a maid was mistaken for a guest at a hotel. Jennifer Lopez's character was originally written for a Caucasian actress.

Description: This film explores the love story between Noah, a working-class man, and Allie, from a wealthy family, whose summer romance is tested by societal expectations and class differences.

Fact: The film was adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name. The house Noah builds for Allie in the movie was actually constructed for the film and still stands in South Carolina.

Description: Although not directly about class differences, the film features Amanda, a successful movie trailer editor, and Iris, a journalist from a small English village, swapping homes and finding love with men from different economic backgrounds.

Fact: The film was shot in both the UK and the US, showcasing the contrast between the two settings. The house used for Iris's cottage in the movie is a real cottage in Surrey, England.

Description: Margaret, a high-powered book editor, convinces her assistant Andrew, from a more modest background, to pretend to be her fiancé to avoid deportation, leading to an unexpected romance.

Fact: The film was shot in part in Alaska, where the fictional town of Sitka is located. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds had great chemistry, which was evident in their improvisations during filming.

Description: A modern retelling of Cinderella where Sam, a high school student, meets her prince at a masquerade ball, only to discover he's from a wealthy family, highlighting the class divide in a high school setting.

Fact: The film uses text messaging as a plot device, which was quite novel at the time of its release. Hilary Duff's character, Sam, is named after the famous Cinderella actress, Samantha Eggar.

Description: A modern-day fairy tale where a pre-med student falls for a Danish prince, unaware of his royal status, exploring themes of identity and class differences in a contemporary setting.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Mary Donaldson, an Australian who married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. The movie was shot in both the US and Denmark.