Some of these films will make you laugh, and some will make you cry; others will do both. However, no matter which of these romantic movies you choose to watch this Valentine’s Day, you are guaranteed to fall in love with their plots and emotional characters.
Titanic
What movie says romance better than Titanic? It is the epitome of the perfect love story. Titanic is a must-see film about the forbidden relationship between Rose, a wealthy English girl, and Jack, a poor but lucky artist. You are guaranteed to cry in the scene when Jack and Rose are barely holding on to consciousness in the freezing water. The special effects are commendable, and Titanic is still considered one of James Cameron’s best films. The charming Leonardo DiCaprio will make every girl want her own Jack Dawson.
Blue Valentine
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams wonderfully portray a couple that has fallen out of love in this indie film. However, the film sparked some controversy over its NC-17 rating. The movie cuts back and forth from the present day to five years earlier when the two lovers, Dean and Cindy, first meet. Their story is full of grief and lost love, and is beautifully directed by Derek Cianfrance. Blue Valentine is heartfelt and raw with a sorrowful, emotional ending that is guaranteed to trigger the waterworks.
P.S. I Love You
P.S. I Love You is an emotional and heartfelt story about Holly (Hilary Swank), who is learning how to cope after the sudden death of her husband Gerry (Gerard Butler). However, he has letters sent to her after his death to help her move on. Half of the movie is set in Ireland, which creates an endearing touch to the love story. While the movie is sorrowful because of Gerry’s death, some comical scenes lighten the mood and make it pleasant to watch.
27 Dresses
Jane (Katherine Heigl) is the perfect bridesmaid. However, Jane’s life spins out of control when her younger sister gets engaged to Jane’s boss, who happens to be the love of her life. While 27 Dresses is a slightly clichéd romantic comedy, it is still sweet and humorous. Jane and Kevin’s (James Marsden) constant disagreements are funny, and their overall onscreen chemistry is praiseworthy. 27 Dresses is the perfect Valentine’s Day movie to watch if you are looking for an amusing and adorable chick flick.
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
This movie is the cutest and funniest film to watch on Valentine’s Day. Cal’s (Steve Carell) wife wants a divorce, so with help from womanizer Jacob (Ryan Gosling), Cal embarks on reconstructing his love life. The scene when Cal tries to surprise his wife is especially hilarious, with unexpected twists and turns that make this movie especially enjoyable. Overall, this is probably the best romantic, feel good film. Plus, every girl will fall in love with Ryan Gosling.
500 Days of Summer
500 Days of Summer is an unconventional romantic comedy about Tom (Joseph Gordon-Leavitt) who believes he has found his soul mate in Summer (Zoey Deschanel), a girl who does not believe in love. This movie flips back and forth from the beginning of the relationship to the end. Summer and Tom make a believable and quirky couple that will have you rooting for their relationship to last. Its charming plot and comedic quotes make it an ideal movie for Valentine’s Day if you are looking for a love story with a twist ending.
Casablanca
This classic wartime masterpiece is considered by many to be the best love story of all time. At the beginning of World War II, expatriate Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) runs a nightclub in Casablanca where refugees hope to find letters of transit to escape to America. When his ex lover Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) arrives in Casablanca with her husband, Rick and Ilsa fall back in love. The famous final scene with the quote “we’ll always have Paris” is unforgettable and is thought to be one of the most beautiful endings in movie history. Casablanca is one of the best films from the golden age of Hollywood. If you haven’t seen it before, I recommend watching it this Valentine’s Day.
