Finally, at number fourteen, we have The Motorcycle Diaries. This biographical film follows a young Ernesto 'Che' Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado on a road trip across South America in the 1950s. Their journey exposes them to the poverty, exploitation, and social injustices of the continent.

The film is significant for showing the political awakening of a revolutionary icon, and it certainly has a strong political consciousness. However, it functions more as a road movie and a coming-of-age story set against a politically charged backdrop than a traditional political drama with a central romantic plotline driving the narrative. There are brief romantic encounters, but they are not the core focus of the film's exploration of political and social themes.

Holding the thirteenth spot is The English Patient, a sweeping epic romance set during World War II and its aftermath. The film tells the story of a critically burned man found in Italy, whose past is revealed through flashbacks detailing his passionate affair with a married woman in North Africa before the war broke out.

While the film is set against the backdrop of a major political event (WWII) and features characters directly involved in the war effort, it is fundamentally a historical romance. The war serves as the context and catalyst for much of the drama and tragedy, but the narrative primarily focuses on the intense personal relationships and the emotional fallout, rather than the mechanics of political power or governance.

At number twelve is the classic Frank Capra film, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. James Stewart plays an idealistic, naive man appointed to the U.S. Senate who takes on the corrupt political machine. It's a quintessential tale of fighting for democracy and integrity against cynicism.

While the film is a powerful political drama and a timeless story about standing up for one's beliefs, the romantic element is quite subtle and secondary. Jean Arthur plays his jaded secretary who helps him navigate the political world and eventually comes to admire him, leading to a budding romance. However, the heart of the film is firmly rooted in the political struggle and Smith's fight on the Senate floor.

Taking the eleventh position is The Painted Veil, a period drama set in the 1920s. It tells the story of a British couple, a bacteriologist and his wife, who relocate to a remote Chinese village to combat a cholera epidemic after the husband discovers his wife's infidelity.

While primarily a story about a troubled marriage and personal redemption set against a backdrop of disease and cultural difference, the film touches upon the political realities of colonial presence in China during that era, and the logistical/societal challenges of public health crises which have political dimensions. The romance is the core focus, but the historical and societal context provides a 'political' backdrop of international relations and local governance challenges.

Coming in at number ten, The Reader is a post-WWII drama that explores themes of guilt, literacy, and generational responsibility. It tells the story of a teenager who has an affair with an older woman, only to reconnect with her years later when she is on trial for war crimes committed as an SS guard.

While the film's political element stems from the historical context of the Holocaust trials and coming to terms with Germany's past, the central relationship is deeply romantic and complex. It's a film that uses a personal connection to delve into profound ethical and historical questions, showing how individual lives are inextricably linked to broader political and historical events.

Landing at number nine, The Last King of Scotland is a compelling historical drama/thriller focusing on the rise of Idi Amin in Uganda, seen through the eyes of a fictional young Scottish doctor who becomes his personal physician. Forest Whitaker delivers an Oscar-winning performance as the terrifying dictator.

The doctor, played by James McAvoy, finds himself increasingly entangled in Amin's regime and the brutal political realities of the country. His personal life, including romantic relationships he forms, becomes dangerously intertwined with his proximity to power and the political violence surrounding him. It's a tense, immersive film that explores the intoxicating and corrupting nature of power, with the protagonist's personal and romantic choices having severe political consequences.

At number eight is The Lives of Others, a critically acclaimed German film set in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It follows a Stasi agent tasked with monitoring a playwright and his partner, a celebrated actress.

While the core of the film is the agent's transformation through his surveillance and the oppressive political regime, the relationship between the playwright and the actress is central to the agent's focus and empathy. Their love and artistic lives are what the state seeks to control and suppress, making their personal connection a quiet act of defiance against the political backdrop. It's a powerful, moving drama about surveillance, art, and humanity under totalitarianism, with the central relationship acting as the heart the agent observes.

Taking the seventh spot is The Ghost Writer, a political thriller directed by Roman Polanski. Ewan McGregor plays a professional ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan. He soon uncovers dangerous secrets linked to war crimes and the PM's past.

The film is primarily a conspiracy thriller, but it features simmering romantic tension and relationships within the isolated, tense environment where the ghostwriter finds himself. These personal connections become entangled with the political danger he uncovers. It's a claustrophobic, suspenseful film where the personal lives of the powerful are just as complex and perilous as their political careers.

Slotting in at number six is The Best Man, a political drama centered around a rising politician whose past threatens to derail his presidential ambitions. Taye Diggs plays the candidate, who reunites with his college friends for a wedding, only for a revealing book by one of them to stir up old secrets.

The film weaves together multiple romantic relationships and personal histories among the group of friends, contrasting them with the polished, controlled world of politics. While the political campaign is the engine, the character dynamics and romantic entanglements are crucial to the plot's unfolding drama. It offers a look at how personal loyalties and past actions can collide with future aspirations.

At number five, we have The Contender, a political drama that puts a spotlight on gender, integrity, and the ruthless nature of confirmation hearings. Gary Oldman plays a congressman determined to derail the Vice Presidential nomination of a principled senator, played by Joan Allen, by dredging up her past.

While the primary focus is the political battle, the film also delves into the Senator's personal life and her relationship with her husband, adding a layer of human vulnerability to the political firestorm. Directed by Rod Lurie, the film features powerful performances from Allen, Oldman, and Jeff Bridges as the President. It's a smart, dialogue-driven exploration of character under pressure and the intersection of public life and private morality, with the protagonist's personal relationships central to the attacks she faces.

Taking the fourth position is The Adjustment Bureau, a unique blend of sci-fi, political aspiration, and romance. Matt Damon plays a charismatic politician on the rise who encounters a mysterious group of men who seem to control destiny itself. Their goal? To keep him away from the woman he loves, a dancer played by Emily Blunt.

Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, the film uses its fantastical premise to explore themes of free will versus fate, all set against the backdrop of a political campaign. The chemistry between Damon and Blunt is undeniable, making their fight against seemingly insurmountable odds genuinely engaging. It's a clever, stylish film that asks big questions about control and choice, wrapped in a compelling romantic pursuit.

Securing the third spot is The Constant Gardener, a gripping thriller based on the John le Carré novel. Directed by Fernando Meirelles (City of God), this film is a powerful indictment of corporate and political corruption, anchored by a deeply moving love story.

Ralph Fiennes plays a mild-mannered British diplomat in Kenya who begins investigating the mysterious death of his activist wife, portrayed fiercely by Rachel Weisz (who won an Academy Award for her role). As he uncovers a vast conspiracy involving a pharmaceutical company, he also discovers the depth of his wife's passion and their own relationship, which he perhaps hadn't fully appreciated. The film is visually stunning, shot with a kinetic energy that mirrors the urgency of the story. It's a tense, intelligent political thriller where the romance isn't just a subplot, but the driving force behind the protagonist's dangerous quest for truth and justice.

Coming in at number two, The Ides of March offers a much darker, more cynical look at the intersection of politics and personal lives. Directed by and starring George Clooney, this sharp drama plunges you into the cutthroat world of a presidential primary campaign.

Ryan Gosling plays a young, idealistic press secretary whose loyalty is tested when he becomes entangled with a campaign intern, played by Evan Rachel Wood. Their relationship becomes a catalyst, exposing the moral compromises and dirty tricks that lie beneath the polished surface of politics. Based on the play Farragut North, the film boasts an incredible ensemble cast, including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, and Jeffrey Wright, all delivering powerful performances. It's a compelling, tense story about ambition, betrayal, and the high price of political power, with a central romance that acts as a dangerous fuse.

Stepping into the top spot is The American President, a film that masterfully blends the gravitas of the Oval Office with the unexpected flutter of the heart. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkin (yes, that Aaron Sorkin, before The West Wing!), it stars Michael Douglas as a widowed President of the United States who dares to fall for an environmental lobbyist, played with charm and intelligence by Annette Bening.

What makes this film shine is its witty, rapid-fire dialogue – a Sorkin hallmark – and the genuine chemistry between its leads. It's not just a fluffy romance; it delves into the political calculations, the public scrutiny, and the personal sacrifices required when the world's most powerful man tries to have a private life. The supporting cast, including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, and Richard Dreyfuss, is phenomenal, adding layers to the political landscape. It's a feel-good movie that doesn't shy away from the complexities of power and public image, making it a perfect blend of political drama and heartwarming romance.