Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and I find myself single once again. Rather than feel sorry for myself, I watch a movie and regain the hope that somewhere in the world, there is the one, the one person who would make me incandescently happy for the rest of my life.
Here are some of my top suggestions to watch on Valentine’s Day. Some of them end in happily ever after, while others are bittersweet. However, they all give me hope that true love exists for all of us.
5 Romantic Comedies
- The Shop Around the Corner or You’ve Got Mail
In both the original and the remake, two rivals who cannot stand each other fall in love with each other anonymously (in the original as pen pals and in the remake through email). However, both show that people are not always what they seem to be and that love can find us anywhere. “The Shop Around the Corner” stars Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan, and “You’ve Got Mail” stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
- Bridget Jones’s Diary
Bridget is an average woman in Britain who tries to improve herself and overcome her many imperfections by keeping a diary. Determined to succeed, she works overtime to gain the attention of her boss. She also struggles with her feelings for a new man, who she doesn’t know whether to dislike or find attractive. This movie stars Reneé Zelweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant.
- The Princess Bride
Told by a grandfather to his grandson, this story has been passed down for generations. Overcoming all obstacles (even some ROUS-es, or Rats of Unusual Size), Westley fights to save his true love, Buttercup, no matter what comes into his way. It is a classic fairy tale that shows us that love conquers all. The movie stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright.
- The Philadelphia Story or High Society
Just when wealthy socialite Tracy Lord is about to get remarried, her ex-husband turns up not willing to give her up just yet. To make matters worse, a reporter and photographer arrive to cover the wedding creating more havoc. Ultimately, Tracy has to make a decision about who she loves and wants to be with. “The Philadelphia Story” stars Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart. “High Society” stars Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra.
- Wall-E
After spending hundreds of years collecting waste, WALL-E meets EVE, a new robot sent to discover if life on Earth is sustainable. Falling in love with her, WALL-E takes care of her when she is in a deactivated state and even follows her onto a spaceship hoping to save her. Ultimately, he not only saves her, but the rest of mankind as well. This animated film shows that anyone can be in love, even a little robot. Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, and Jeff Garlin provide the voices for the main characters in addition to Fred Willard and Sigourney Weaver.
5 Romantic Dramas
- An Affair to Remember
A playboy and a nightclub singer fall in love during a cruise from Europe to New York, despite being engaged to other people. However, they decide to meet at the top of the Empire State Building in six months to see if they still love each other, but an accident occurs preventing them from meeting. This movie shows that love does not always bring us on the course we imagined. This movie stars Debra Kerr and Cary Grant. (***Bring tissues.)
- Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth AND Keira Knightly versions)
When Elizabeth Bennet – a middle-class girl – first meets Mr. Darcy – a wealthy, but proud gentleman – she loathes him and wants nothing to do with him. Over time, however, Lizzie begins to realize that perhaps Mr. Darcy may not be what she thought him to be. As the title suggests, these adaptations of Jane Austen’s classic novel show that love is stronger than pride and prejudice. The BBC miniseries stars Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, and the newer movie stars Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen.
- Titanic
Aboard the RMS Titanic, Rose DeWitt Bukater feels trapped into marrying her wealthy fiancé and decides to end her life by jumping off the stern of the ship. Jack Dawson, a poor artist, saves her, and a romantic journey begins for them that ultimately ends with the sinking of the Titanic. This movie shows that love does not always end where we want it to. “Titanic” stars Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio. (*** Bring tissues.)
- Casablanca
In the very beginning of World War II, an exiled American owns a nightclub in Casablanca. With the police and Nazis everywhere, the last person that he expected to see was the love of his life. Still bitter over her leaving him in Paris, he sees that she has arrived engaged to Victor Laszlo, an underground leader in Czechoslovakia. Once he learns of the reason she had to run, they plan to run off together, but life does not always go as planned. This classic romance stars Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. (***Bring tissues.)
- Ever After
Danielle De Barbarac, the daughter of a deceased French nobleman, is treated more as a servant than as a stepdaughter. By chance one day, she meets Prince Henry, the future king of France. Some time later, she meets him again in disguise. Over time their love begins to grow, and through the help of one of her stepsisters and Leonardo Da Vinci, Danielle shows that a girl can save herself and that a servant girl can marry a prince. This version of the classic fairytale Cinderella stars Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott.
So grab your friends, a movie from the Media Center, and some snacks. Have an awesome Valentine’s Day, and remember that there is someone out there for all of us!