5 films to fall for on Valentine’s Day
Check out these movies if you’re seeking more than just rom-com staples for the heart-filled holiday
Watching a cheesy rom-com or an adaptation of a Shakespearian classic with your Valentine might be the perfect way to cap off your day on Feb. 14. (Pexels/Ron Lach)
February signals the arrival of Valentine’s Day, and stores are decked with cards, chocolates, and flowers to gear up for the holiday. However, romance on this day isn’t complete without good movies for the heart. Rom-coms are normally the way to go, but what if you want more out of your romantic flicks? Here’s five movies to check out during the season of love.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
If you haven’t watched a Wes Anderson movie by now, it might be time to do so. Moonrise Kingdom is about two 12-year-olds sneaking away from their coastal community to secretly get married. With a superb cast, the film has a place for Valentine’s Day as a whimsical children’s fable about how kids understand love for the first time with charming absurdity. The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
If you’re a horror and vampire fan who doesn’t mind some gothic romance on the side, look no further than the best film Jim Jarmusch has ever made, Only Lovers Left Alive. Starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton, the story follows vampire couple Adam and Eve as they grapple with immortality amidst their endless disdain for humans.
As bleak as the film is, it’s still a worthy watch during the month of love for examining what it truly means for a relationship to endure in a gloomy world. Hiddleston and Swinton paired together make a dreadfully sweet undead duo with their shared trust for each other. The movie is available on Tubi.
As You Like It (2006)
Kenneth Branagh’s wondrous adaptation of the classic Shakespeare play is ideal for couples wanting to settle into a world exploring the pure beauty of love and optimism. Bryce Dallas Howard stars as Rosalind, a runaway daughter of a noble family who learns about romance and her true self in the outside world. With Howard leading an all-star cast, you grow to be fond of the characters in this heartwarming adventure. The movie is available on Crave.
Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010)
Directed by Edgar Wright, Scott Pilgrim vs The World remains one of my favourite coming-of-age movies. Michael Cera plays the titular guitarist of a Toronto rock band who must fight the seven evil exes of his love interest Ramona Flowers, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, to be with her.
While not a rom-com per se, the film is a Valentine’s Day flick through Cera and Winstead’s stellar chemistry together which makes their characters’ relationship funny and touching on screen. The wacky arcade-level action that parodies fighting games and the comedy poking fun at rock bands are enjoyable bonuses. The fact that Pilgrim is Canadian doesn’t hurt either. The movie is available on Crave.
Wild Target (2010)
As a British crime caper with rom-com tendencies, Wild Target follows a hitman, played by Bill Nighy, a clever swindler, portrayed by Emily Blunt, and a street kid, played by Rupert Grint, as they outrun criminals across London with laughable car chases and close calls. The film is suitable for Valentine’s Day with its unassuming love story that slowly builds between Nighy and Blunt’s characters. The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video.
