I’ve often heard people refer to 3 a.m. as the witching hour.
However, I think it’s any time past 10 p.m. It’s witching hours, plural. At 9:59, I know that I have exactly 60 seconds to enjoy my sanity until it’s magically whisked away to a place unknown.
For some reason, I feel really lonely after 10 p.m. hits. Is there a psychological explanation for why this happens? Within a few minutes, I’ve convinced myself that nobody is ever going to love me, and that I’ll never experience romance. Reason knows no place in my head at that time.
I’m writing this article in hopes that other people experience the same thing and if so, I can remedy that! To add salt to the wound — whenever I’m going through this crisis, I tend to turn to romance movies to soothe my soul. Whether it’s a hand clench, a confession in the rain or a longing look, it’s making me feel better.
As a hopeless romantic and a chronic overthinker (past 10), I give you the top three romance movies to watch when your head has convinced you that love isn’t in the cards.
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)
This movie is very British … and very 2000s. Despite this, it might be one of the cutest movies I’ve ever seen. The movie follows the life of Georgia, a 14-year-old girl who has fallen madly for Robbie, a 16-year-old musician who just transferred to her school. We see Georgia experience the most awkward situations she possibly could: a razored-off eyebrow, an unfortunate application of fake tan and a “snogging” 101 course. However, among all of these light-hearted mishaps, love grows between Robbie and Georgia.
One of my favorite things about this movie is that the plot is not entirely centered on these two young lovebirds. Instead, viewers are able to watch as Georgia navigates the cringeworthy stages of puberty, as well as her family relationships. For a large chunk of the movie, Georgia is convinced that her mother is going to leave her father for the hot house-painter, which would then lead to her parents’ divorce. Because of this, Georgia makes rash decisions and eventually has to learn how to focus on herself, and her family, before any boy.
The reason this movie is on this list is because of the love throughout the entire movie, not just between Robbie and Georgia. Georgia is awkward, misguided and still trying to figure out who she is. But this just makes her an extremely loveable main character. As someone who grew up weird, loud and awkward (and has stayed that way), I see myself in Georgia.
This movie provides a very necessary dose of serotonin for the soul. Robbie and Georgia’s love story is a surefire way to remind yourself that love does exist, and you are the perfect candidate for it.
Pretty Woman (1990)
When I initially pitched this article idea, I said I was going to put more niche picks. While I’d argue that the first movie choice is a tad more esoteric, this is not. “Pretty Woman” is one of the classics; it’s a necessary addition to this list. It feels wrong to leave this movie out of the conversation.
I would love to say that my attraction to both Julia Roberts and Richard Gere isn’t playing a role in my selection, but that would be a lie. The director of this movie chose two of the sexiest actors and made them fall in love. Sign me up!
But seriously, “Pretty Woman” is one of my go-tos when I need a serious reminder (after 10 p.m., of course) that love is real. The story of Edward and Vivian is unorthodox, and I would argue that the “love” aspect is understated. You watch the two try and figure out how they’d ever work. Vivian is a prostitute and Edward is a corporate raider; how would this ever work? I’m not really sure, but it does!
Throughout the movie, we learn about Vivian’s personality and get a glimpse into her youthful nature. Her playfulness breaks Edward out of his shell, and he becomes less uptight as the film rolls on … we also see Vivian’s relationship with her friend and roommate, Kit. Vivian eventually uses the money she got from her relationship with Edward to get Kit out of prostitution, and it’s a beautiful display of friendship.
This film is not over the top. When it’s late at night, and I’m feeling lonely, “Pretty Woman” is the perfect cure. Love exists in all spaces and is not always loud. I think this movie does a perfect job at conveying how love doesn’t always jump out at you.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
If the title of this article wasn’t already any indication of this movie making it onto the list, then here it is! While this movie is not niche, I can’t speak enough on how amazing it is. It’s in my Letterboxd four and I have a poster of it on my wall.
My father, the biggest pop-culture nerd I know, had never seen “Dirty Dancing” until I made him watch it. The night before college move-in, I told him the one thing I wanted before I embarked on my adventure was for him to watch “Dirty Dancing” with me. Andddddd he did! I personally think he was underplaying how much he enjoyed it, but I also might be biased.
The story of Baby and Johnny gets me every time. Patrick Swazye has an effortless charm to him in the movie, and the bad boy appeal that most people seem to enjoy (including myself). The movie focuses on Baby’s transition into adulthood, and how her and Johnny’s love story is a way she’s able to discover her independence.
Many people claim there’s no way that Baby and Johnny made it past that summer, and as much as the hopeless romantic in me wants to say they did, it’s probably not true. However, I think that makes it all the more beautiful. An ephemeral love does not lose its value as time passes.
I always know “Dirty Dancing” is a friend I can turn to. The love Baby and Johnny share makes me feel better without fail. I just tell my brain: “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
To prevent baring myself to you further, I will leave you with these three movie recommendations. Are they niche? Not particularly. Will they make you feel better during the witching hours? Of course. I would never misguide my dear readers. If you too feel like nobody is ever going to love you past a certain hour, then I strongly advise you put on one of these movies (and report back if they work!).