Sometimes, the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day is by curling up on the couch for a movie marathon. But how do you create your Valentine's Day watch list? While classics are classics for a reason, it's good to try new things, so I'm going to recommend some romantic films that you might not have heard of. Here are five films that you can watch on Valentine's Day courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.
Strictly Ballroom (1992)
Directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann
Rebel ballroom champion Scott defies the Australian Dance Federation by dancing his steps at a competition. His furious partner dumps him, leaving him three weeks to find a new partner for the National championship. Then, left-footed beginner Fran offers to be his partner and help him choreograph an original dance. The eye-catching costumes, pitch-perfect comedic timing, and kinetic editing combine to create the over-the-top exuberance that became Luhrmann's trademark. This film's irresistible mixture of camp, whimsy, and romance makes it a real crowd-pleaser.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Written and directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Set in Hong Kong in the early 1960s, this visually rich mood piece centers around Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung), a journalist, and his new next-door neighbor, Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung). The pair begin to bond over their shared loneliness and eventually discover that their spouses are having an affair. As they grapple with the fallout of this revelation, the wronged spouses become entangled in an emotional affair. This atmospheric tale of a pair of almost lovers is filled with romantic longing and simmering subtext.
The Way He Looks (2014)
Written and directed by Daniel Ribeiro
Blind teenager Leonardo yearns for independence and struggles with self-esteem. He deals with bullies at school and clashes with his well-meaning but overbearing parents at home, but at least he has his best friend, Giovanna. The arrival of a new classmate, Gabriel, turns Leo's life upside down and ultimately challenges his ideas about what is possible. This charming Brazilian coming-of-age romance is sweet and poignant. It captures all the messy awkwardness of young love and treats its subject matter with a refreshing tenderness.
Funny Face (1957)
Directed by Stanley Donen
Picture this: Audrey Hepburn dripping in Givenchy dancing with Fred Astaire in showstopping musical numbers by George and Ira Gershwin. That's Funny Face in a nutshell. Fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) snaps a photo of philosophy student Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) during a photo shoot at the bookstore where she works. Once the magazine editor sees the still of Jo, the trio dash off to Paris to shoot an edition and turn Jo into the new "it girl." The romance between Fred Astaire (58) and Audrey Hepburn (28) takes some suspension of disbelief, but that doesn't diminish the charm and beauty of this light-hearted musical treat.
Big Eden (2000)
Written and directed by Thomas Bezucha
When Henry's grandfather has a stroke, he leaves his life in New York and returns to his hometown of Big Eden, Montana, to take care of him. Dean, his childhood friend and long-time crush, Das, just moved back to town after his divorce. Old family friend Grace disapproves of this potential relationship, but not for the reason you might think. She's rooting for Pike, the debilitatingly shy owner of the general store, who's had a crush on Henry since high school. With the help of some old cowboys and a copy of the Joy of Cooking, Pike manages to court Henry in his unique way. Big Eden is filled with love, familial, platonic, and romantic. It's a little cheesy, but sometimes that's what you need in a comfort movie. This earnest, feel-good film gives you a glimpse at a parallel universe where homophobia doesn't exist and your meddling neighbors have your best interests at heart.
