I wanted to do something for Valentine’s Day, so I listed my top 10 Valentine’s Day Movies for you. The so-called romantic comedy or romantic drama is a genre that rarely works, but when it works it can be the best and rememberable cinema experience of your life. Enjoy!
10. Le Fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain
Amélie is a 2001 French romantic comedy directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and starring Audrey Tautou. It is a story of a shy waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better, while struggling with her own isolation. This is one of those rare movies that everybody likes, including me. It is the feel-good-movie of all time.
When Harry Met Sally… is a 1989 romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and it stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. The story follows the title characters from the time they meet, through a decade of chance encounters in New York City. The film asks the question “Can men and women ever just be friends?”. I love this film, Billy Crystal does one of the greatest roles of his life and Meg Ryan is the perfect choice to co-star in one of my favorite rom-coms ever!
8. Love Story
Love Story is a 1970 romantic drama directed by Arthur Hiller and starred Ali MacGraw and Ryan O´Neal. The film is very well-known tragedy and it is considered one of the most romantic movies of all time. But what really makes this movie special and rememberable is the original theme song ”Where do I begin“, written by Francis Lai, the lyrics by Carl Sigman. It just rips your heart out every time you hear it.
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 drama-romance-film directed by Victor Fleming. The epic film is set in the American South in and around the time of the Civil War and it stars Clark Gable and Vivien leigh. It tells a story of the Civil War and its aftermath from a white Southern viewpoint. I´m pretty sure I don´t need to specify why Gone with the Wind is on my list…
6. Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy and it centers on a prostitute played by Julia Roberts who is hired by a wealthy businessman played by Richard Gere, to be his escort for several business functions, and their developing relationship. So you might be wondering why do I have this film on my list, but it really is a great story with all the elements of a great romantic comedy and they all work together perfectly. I´ve seen this film a million times and I really like it, so sue me!
Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 Australian film directed by Baz Luhrmann and it stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. It tells the story of a poor poet who falls in love with a courtesan in the Moulin Rouge in Paris. It is romance and love on acid, and definitely a one of a kind musical that has the explosive power of a nuclear bomb. Baz Luhrman has re-animated romance back to the silver screen.
Roman Holiday is a 1953 romantic comedy, directed and produced by William Wyler and it stars Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. The streets of Rome offer the perfect backdrop for this amazing movie and the casting is just right. Ti amo con tutta l’anima.
3. Chasing Amy
Chasing Amy is a 1997 romantic comedy drama written and directed by Kevin Smith. The film tells a story of two comic book artists, Alyssa and Holden, who fell in love, but are torn apart by Alyssa´s past. The movie stars Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee. Just for the record, this is one of my all time favorite romantic comedy ever and one of the best triangle love stories (cause those never work) to date! I also think Chasing Amy is Kevin Smith´s best movie. I have seen it a million times and I just don´t get tired of it. They just don´t do em like they use to in the 90´s.
Before Sunrise is a 1995 romantic drama directed by Richard Linklater . The film follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) a young American, and Céline (Julie Delpy), a young French woman, who meet on a train and get off the train together in Vienna, where they spend the night walking around the city and getting to know one another. Before Sunrise is the perfect romantic movie in my opinion. I love the backdrop of Vienna and the time span on just that one night… Absolutely perfect!
1. Casablanca
Casablanca is an 1942 romantic drama directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The story is set during World War II and it focuses on a man torn between love and virtue. He must choose between his love for a woman and helping her and her resistance leader husband escape from Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis. All though Casablanca might be a little bit obvious choice fot the best Valentine’s Day Movie, I don´t care ´cause it is!!! I have said repeatedly that it is one of the best scripts ever written. So Casablanca is the perfect Valentine’s Day movie, because it is not only one of the best films ever made, but it is also very romantic and a great love story.
Ok so there you have it, my top 10 Valentine’s Day movies. These are all perfect for staying in with your special someone, but if you prefer to go out, then here is also a quick list of some good Valentine’s Day picks in movie theater (from Finnkino)
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (dir. David Fincher)
- Australia (dir. Baz Luhrmann)
- Zack and Miri Make a Porno (dir. Kevin Smith)
- Vicky Cristina Barcelona (dir. Woody Allen)
And just to make this blog post even more cheesy, I want to say happy Valentine’s Day to all my friends and especially to Timo, I love you honey!
- Essi Suomela
Thanx, hon! Love ya too! Ps. great entry, a lot of films I’ve never actually watched although I should, so…
I can´t believe I forgot Reality Bites from my list!!!!!! Aaarrggghh!!!! Well, that´s what you get for doing things in rush I guess
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ALL RIGHT, I get until this is meant that they are “reminisce with everyone about our childhoods”, where the target group is a lot of twenty-year olds. Consequently I won’t criticise the omission pores and skin classics. But I can point out until this really shows exactly how even in its best moments variety has really slipped. None of those songs can review to “I wanna end up being like you” and also “The Bare Necessities” (Jungle book)