Out of the people I know on this earth, I would have to call myself the biggest fan of romance movies. No kidding, I really am a huge SUCKER for these types of films. I absolutely love how a movie can portray love in a depressing way, a hilarious way, an innocent way, a magical way, and a dark way.
One of the best things about romance films is how a couple is surrounded by a certain holiday, like Valentine’s Day! A major holiday to get together with your partner, friends, family, or even yourself and watch.
It was tough to get a list together because there were so many to choose from, but I’ve designated a list of 10 films that I believe would be better to watch around this holiday season. The first five have a cheesy rom-com feel, and the last five are the type you want to watch with tissues on hand or, in other words, tearjerkers.
Rom-Com:
Valentine's Day (2010)
This is the most classic movie to watch on Valentine’s Day or week! It may be a little cheesy for viewers, but I think that’s one of the best things about this movie because it keeps up with an innocent, funny factor that comes with this time; made for those who aren’t big on this holiday. It involves multiple characters and their stories. Stories range from best friends to lovers, haters to lovers, and even have a mix of cheating and betrayal. Remember, not everyone gets their happy ending or the person they want, but some do. My favorite scene is when Julia (played by Jennifer Garner) and Reed (played by Ashton Kutcher) are having a one-on-one talk, confessing their feelings in the airport!
How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Andie (Kate Hudson), and Ben (Matthew McConaughey) fall for the classic story of all bets in love. Andie places a bet to lose a guy in 10 days to write about in her magazine column because she has a tendency to lose guys left and right. Ben places a bet to make a girl fall in love with him in 10 days, to be a part of a negotiation in the advertising company he works for. This movie has many cheesy scenes (which I find adorable), but all credit to Hudson and McConaughey, mainly because of their chemistry. From an audience standpoint, it feels like their true selves are shining through.
My favorite scene is when the film showcases Andie walking out of her hotel in her yellow dress, and Ben is completely stunned by her: his hand over his heart followed by his gasp… talk about love at first sight! Also, one of my favorite lines is where both protagonists are having a dispute, and Ben says, “You wanted to lose a guy in 10 days. Congratulations. You did it. You just lost him.” then Andie replies, “No, I didn’t, Ben. Cause you can’t lose something you never had.” I get chills every time!!!
How To Be Single (2016)
When you have a group of actresses like Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, and Alison Brie, you’re bound to get a really hilarious film. This mix of gals made this movie so funny, yet very emotional. Each character has a story, with all the stories being linked together. This movie doesn’t only teach you how to actually be single, but it gives off the idea that being single is completely okay and not knowing where you are in your “love life” is okay, too. Everyone is in their own timeline and that is what these characters also portray since they all go through different stages of relationships. One is getting out of a relationship, another doesn’t know they’re slowly seeking true love, the third is there for support, and the last is facing soon-to-be motherhood. It’s really hard to choose a favorite scene when I find all the female protagonists to be very funny. It's definitely a must-watch!
Letters To Juliet (2010)
This film is centered around the idea of writing letters, which, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful ways to share your feelings because it has a hopeless romantic feel.
Sophie, played by Amanda Seyfried, finds this letter from many, many years ago and decides to write back while joining the secretaries of Juliet. This letter is also received by Claire (played by Vanessa Redgrave) and her grandson Charlie (played by Christopher Egan). These three join together and try to find the guy Claire met many years ago, the one love she thought she lost. With all this said, keep in mind Sophie is actually engaged… but to someone who does not listen to her. He is too focused on his cooking career, which is entirely okay, but not for Sophie, not anymore. For 156 minutes you can be in a world full of hope and follow along these characters' faces. My favorite scene is the conversation Sophie and Charlie have during the night, where they just lay on the grass looking at the night sky when they talk deeply about their goals, and who they really are, and how it ends with a kiss. Also, the fact that this movie takes place in Verona, Italy means such beautiful scenery all throughout!
The Other Women (2014)
This film involves a lot of cheating. Mark (Nikolaj Coaster-Waldu) is a married guy who cheats on his wife Kate (Leslie Mann) and on his girlfriend Carly (Cameron Diaz), AND in other words, his side chick Amber (Kate Upton). He has all three females in the unknown. That was until his wife, Kate, and girlfriend, Carly, found out. While this movie may be painted in a bad light because it involves cheating, what makes it different, and touching is women's empowerment. We see girls being “girls girls." Throughout many scenarios, they all find out about each other and team up to put Mark down. In the end, they were actually very successful. They put him in his place; they kept their company shares, and the wife kept her future shares. They were all happy to make new friends. My favorite scene is actually between Diaz and Mann, where they try to sneak into the beach gate, and they fall into the bushes and try to act normal. That part was the funniest for me. However, keep in mind that this film has many more scenarios just like that one.
Sad/ Drama:
The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is a Nicholas Sparks classic film where it follows the stereotypical story of a country poet, Noah (Ryan Gosling), who tries to get the attention of a city girl, Allie (Rachel McAdams). While he tries his best on the first day they meet at the carnival, Allie is hesitant about him and the idea of going out. After days, they finally do go out, and the movie portrays the young lovers in a 1930s romantic style. They go out, flirt all the time, get to know each other more, and they even get to the rocky stages of their relationship. The film follows the plot line of the two lovers having to say goodbye, find each other many years later, and get their happy ending.
(SPOILER ALERT)
The Notebook is known to be a tear-jerker because of the end. The idea that you will lose the love of your life. Noah lost Allie as they got older but visited her once again as he passed away seconds later to be with her. Their journey from being young adults to that moment makes people feel a sense of appreciation for their loved ones.
There are way too many scenes for me to choose my favorite one; it’s too hard! But if I were to choose, it would probably be the scene in which Noah and Allie are having a heated argument in front of the house and car, expressing how they feel and not sure how to go about it. The way Gosling says his lines is what gets to me! He really shows that he wants to stay with Allie and be together.
Someone Great (2019)
Someone Great is the movie you would want to see right after a breakup. Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) and Nate (LaKeith Stanfield) have been in a nine-year relationship and realize they are growing apart. Because of Jenny’s big career move, they have to let each other go. Jenny’s friends, Erin (Dewanda Wise) and Blair (Brittany Snow) take their day out of work and try to be there for their friend. They do whatever it takes to make her feel better. The film goes back and forth in time to show the negative and positive sides of her ex-relationship.
There are actually two scenes that I would have to say are my favorite. The first is when Jenny goes to the club event known as Neon Classic and sees Nate. It cuts to a scene where you can only see her face and his. They look into each other's eyes, and while they get emotional, as the music is playing, to them, it’s a silent moment; they mouth, “I love you” and “forever” to each other. That moment in itself is so raw, so sad but real. The second scene is when Jenny leaves Neon Classic after a while alone, and she’s on the train writing in a notebook as a form of closure. Her monologue is beautifully done. It shows how you may want just a few more minutes with them again, the “what ifs,” the “one more,” but that’s not reality and not how life goes. It’s over, and just like Jenny, she moved on to better things professionally.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is entirely head over heels by Summer (Zooey Deschanel), who does not believe in love or gets relationships and isn’t even looking for one. They are completely opposite. There are SO MANY MIXED SIGNALS. After realizing that this will hurt both of them, Summer steps away and moves on. It takes Tom time to get why that was, and the moment they had closure on the park bench, a sense of relief and heartbreak was taken from both characters.
I remember the first time I watched this movie, I was utterly distraught by the actions of Summer. It’s like I started to hate Summer, just like Tom did. Then, when I rewatched it again at an older age, I began to notice how I understood Summer’s actions; I finally understood how both Tom and Summer were wrong but also right.
I love the cinematography of the idea on time, which this movie did a great job of showing. The parallels are scenes of reality versus expectations and the beginning of the relationship compared to the last bits of it. I recommend this movie to those especially in “situationships."
Me Before You (2016)
William (Sam Claflin) has faced a motorcycle accident and has been left mostly paralyzed. Louisa (Emilia Clarke) has always worked hard and tries to provide for her parents and herself. She comes across the job of a caregiver, and as you guessed it, it’s to take care of William. It follows the plot line of enemies to lovers. William is first seen as cold by not sharing his feelings. While Louisa is a bright yellow star…literally, she wears all sorts of funny, colorful clothing. Though she does have a boyfriend, Patrick (Matthew Lewis), he isn’t there for her and doesn't provide for her with time and acts of true love.
This is seen through one of my favorite scenes, during Louisa’s birthday dinner. William listened when Louisa mentioned how she had these pairs of bee leggings that she loved as a little girl so much, so he got them for her.
The reason for this to be a tearjerker is because of the ending. As mentioned, William is sick and needs to be taken care of, but there came a time when that wasn't needed anymore; he knew he needed to let go of this lifetime. Louisa tried to change his mind, to keep fighting and stay, but she was unsuccessful. The moments of the beach and their goodbyes really make you want to have tissues on hand :( All in all, it does have its funny moments when both protagonists try to get along, but in the end, that’s where it hits.
La La Land (2016)
Saved the very best for last. This film is definitely in my top two list of all-time romance movies. I could go for hours and hours talking about this movie! The type of lightning, colors, and certain shots used in this movie are what make this movie so good!!! The cinematography of this film is absolutely top-notch. AND THE SOUNDTRACK??? Although it is a musical, and that is something many people aren’t fans of, the songs in this film are amazing! I could listen to the soundtrack/playlist multiple times a day; that's how much care they put into their music. It made an excellent homage to classic Hollywood musicals.
Mia (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress, and Sebastian(Ryan Gosling) is a jazz musician. Throughout, they have many occurrences where they meet randomly through music. Coincidence? I think not. Their love journey is a spiral and a rollercoaster of emotions because they start out with much innocent love. They continue to be this way, like going out on dates, being there for each other in their careers professionally, and even moving in together. As they both progress to do well in their careers many opportunities open for them and this is where things start to shift. They’re faced with decisions and it starts to change the dynamic of their relationship, and eventually is the cause of their breakup.
(SPOILER ALERT)
The main thing about this movie that I love is how real the ending was. There was no happy ending for their relationship, instead, there was professional success. Sebastian got his own jazz venue and Mia got to be an outstanding actor, but they did not achieve their dream of having a family and building a future together. My favorite scene is when they interlock eyes after many years in Sebastian’s venue. CHILLS. The looks on their faces when they know they’ve missed each other, but know it was for the best. I LOVE THIS MOVIE!
While this list was hard to do, it was so fun since I am huge fan of romance movies. There were many more I could've chose from but... I thought these were the best to watch during Valentine's Week!
I hope you, the viewers, watch at least one of these films and think the same on how good they are :) Hopefully y'all had a great valentine!
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