Valentine’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to dine with friends at a nice restaurant, surprise loved ones with a gift or have a self-care day to relax during a busy semester.
Regardless of your plans, it’s crucial to end Valentine’s Day by enjoying a movie to celebrate the holiday.
The opinions team has provided recommendations for the best movies to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.
“Amélie (2001),” written by Sylvia Freire
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for movies about romance, but for love in general. “Amélie” is a French romantic comedy in French about a waitress named Amélie, who had a peculiar childhood. Her life changes when she finds a time capsule in the wall of her home that belonged to a man who lived there before.
On her quest to give back this nostalgic treasure, she becomes fascinated with helping others find love and happiness in their own lives. Taking place in Paris, the city of love, Amélie finds a new appreciation for life through her small acts of kindness.
Audrey Tautou, the actress who plays Amélie, is truly brilliant in this film. Her facial expressions bring her character’s personality to life. Even with the language barrier, the whimsical nature of this film makes anyone mesmerized by where the story takes you. Amélie deserves more recognition than it is given, not only cinematically, but overall.
“Marriage Story (2019),” written by Aidan Dillard-Hijikata
Most Valentine’s Day movies are sappy, predictable romantic comedies that all feel the exact same. What if it got shaken up a bit?
Do you want to watch a hyper-realistic depiction of a… well, marriage story? Then the Netflix Original “Marriage Story” might be for you!
The movie tracks two New York theater workers, one an acclaimed playwright and director (Adam Driver) and his actress, soon-to-be ex-wife (Scarlett Johansson) as they navigate their way through one of those ever-turbulent “let’s stay friends” divorces. Drama, of course, ensues, and the emotional baggage of completely upending one’s life to make a change is front and center.
I won’t lie to you; this movie is melancholy throughout, but it ends on a… I won’t spoil it for you. It has some of the most genuine and realistic acting that I have ever seen, it’s won awards out of the wazoo and its soundtrack is awesome—I mean, what else do I need to say?
“50 First Dates (2004),” written by Hannah Piedad
Both hilarious and heartbreaking, “50 First Dates” captures the complexities and sacrifice that love often comes with. Starring on-screen legends Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, this movie is a must-watch during the Valentine’s Day season.
“50 First Dates” follows Henry Roth (Sandler), a single bachelor living in Hawaii, who meets Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore) by chance at a local restaurant. Connecting with her almost instantly, Roth decides to pursue a relationship with her, approaching her again on a different day at the cafe.
However, after she doesn’t recognize him upon meeting for a second time, Roth learns that Whitmore suffers from anterograde amnesia. This causes her to lose her memory at the beginning of each day. Essentially, she lives every day thinking it’s the day she got into the car wreck that resulted in her amnesia.
“50 First Dates” keeps audience members glued to their seats, as Roth persistently tries to help Whitmore with her condition. Barrymore and Sandler’s performances in this movie are just the icing on the cake, as “50 First Dates” plot alone is gripping and worthy of applause. The delicate balance between humor and drama is perfected in this movie, making it both a lighthearted and engaging watch.
