American Beauty (1999)
Match Point (2005)
The Rain: Chris and Nola share a passionate kiss in the middle of a field. As the rain begins to fall, they cant help tearing each other's clothes off and getting down to it right there and then.
Thematic Resonance: It helps emphasise the reckless nature of their relationship, as well as the raw passion that fuels it.
Garden State (2004)
The Rain: Zach Braff and Natalie Portman go on to share a by-the-book rain kiss, but we prefer the preceding moment where they and Peter Sarsgaard stand and howl into the abyss. Mmmm, cathartic.
Thematic Resonance: The trio are letting go of all their troubles, by simply screaming into the rain. They should prescribe it on the NHS.
Sin City (2005)
The Rain: Marv strides down a rain-lashed street, slowly raising his gun before putting a bullet right between the eyes of a towering stone stature.
Thematic Resonance: It's all about atmosphere here, as this godforsaken city truly becomes the hellhole created by Frank Miller on the pages of the comic-book series.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The Rain: As the unit troops onwards, a light drizzle begins to fall, before growing steadily heavier and louder. Before you know it, it isn't only raindrops whistling through the air… it's bullets too.
Thematic Resonance: It's just a very neat trick by which to segue from the tedium of marching into the sound and fury of a firefight.
Key Largo (1948)
The Rain: The rain is a constant throughout this classic noir, ensuring the protagonists remain inside their hotel where a violent criminal is lurking, surrounded by his heavies.
Thematic Resonance: It's a key plot device, designed to ensure the action remains contained and claustrophobic.
The Damned United (2009)
The Rain: Brian Clough's Derby County take on Leeds United on an absolute mudbath of a pitch. Not an occasion for the fancy Dan, this one.
Thematic Resonance: There's nothing subtextual about this, just a picture perfect representation of a gritty, 1970s football match. Oof.
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
The Rain: Paul and Holly search for her beloved cat amid the rain-spattered streets of Manhattan, finally recovering it and enveloping it in a soggy cuddle.
Thematic Resonance: A tear-flecked reconciliation in the rain, plus a rescued cat? That's a sure fire recipe for feelgood vibes.
Gun Crazy (1950)
The Rain: Young Bart Tare stands out in the rain, staring at the guns in a shopkeeper's window. Eventually he smashes through and grabs one, only to be caught by the local sheriff. His obsession, however, has just begun.
Thematic Resonance: The rain is here to ram home just how taken Tare is with firearms. He's soaked through, for heaven's sake!
Cape Fear (1962)
The Rain: As Sam Bowden attempts to draw out Max Cady, an almighty thunderstorm rocks the Cape. Somebody is going to end up very wet indeed.
Thematic Resonance: The storm serves to fill the final confrontation with yet more drama. So effective was it, that Martin Scorsese was sure to recreate it for his 1991 remake.
