For some, Valentine’s Day is a momentous occasion to declare love to your partner in the form of bright pink gifts and heart-shaped chocolates. For others, it’s a time to gather with friends, pose with finger foods and clink long-stemmed glassware together. For others still, it is simply another day to get through. However, one thing any Valentine’s Day can not be complete without is a movie and an overflowing bowl of popcorn.
So, for the lovebirds, girl parties and lonely souls, here are a few movie recommendations for this Valentine’s Day.
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018): For the daydreamers.
Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) is a girl who lives in her fantasies and romance novels. An avid reader with an impressive imagination, she yearns to experience a whirlwind romance. For every boy she has loved in the past, Lara Jean has written detailed love letters to help her acknowledge and move past her crush. However, after her letters find their way to the boys of her past, Lara Jean must quickly find a way to convince her best friend, Josh, that she is not in love with him. The solution? Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) and a contract.
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is a standout in modern-day romcoms. Lara Jean is an interesting and complex character — one who may not be as outspoken as her best friend, Chris — but who does not back down when being bullied. She has a deep-seated fear of losing those she loves, but when she loves, she loves fiercely. She rises to the challenge when she needs and refuses to lose who she is over the guy she likes. For daydreamers like Lara Jean, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is a must-watch.
“Fresh” (2022): For the fearful.
“Fresh” (2022) is certainly an interesting inclusion on a list of must-watch Valentine’s Day films, but a much-needed one. After Noa (Daisy Edgar Jones) finally decides to call it quits on dating apps, her life is turned upside down when she meets Steve (Sebastian Stan) in the produce section of the grocery store. The two quickly hit it off, becoming close over dinner. That is, until Steve reveals his true nature: He’s a cannibal who kidnaps and sells parts of women to other cannibals. Even knowing the true genre of the film (horror), this twist is jarring.
With various shots and scenes almost entirely focused on chewing and cooking, “Fresh” is unsettling. The film outlines the horrors of dating and the larger world. One in which terrifying men lay lurk among Cotton Candy grapes and lettuce. For those who understand this deep-seated fear, “Fresh” is a film for you.
“Cat People” (1942): For the betrayed.
After Irena (Simone Simon), a Serbian immigrant, moves to New York and meets American Oliver (Kent Smith), the two quickly hit it off. Irena opens up to Oliver, detailing her village’s history with the Cat People, women witches who could use their jealousy and rage to turn into large cats and who haunt Irena. Irena fears that if she gives into her heart and embraces Oliver in love, she will be forced to kill him. Oliver, the nonbeliever of these tales, brushes aside Irena’s fears. After pushing her to speak to a psychiatrist, Oliver confides in his coworker, Alice (Jane Randolph), and the two speak of their love for each other. Irena never gets her revenge like modern-day female protagonists but rather loses everything because of the betrayal of a man. Anyone betrayed in love can relate to a film such as “Cat People.”
“La La Land” (2016): For the right person at the wrong time.
Despite a less-than-ideal encounter in Hollywood traffic, Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) continuously run into each other in the Los Angeles area, becoming close as the two express their similar passions for jazz and acting. While the two struggling artists begin to fall in love, their dreams never seem to get within reach. However, after Sebastian convinces Mia to strike out with her own one-woman show and he himself takes a deal with a jazz fusion band, their careers begin to take a turn. Sebastian’s band starts to find success, although the music is far from jazz and Mia’s show fails. As their art slips through their fingers, so does Mia and Sebastian’s relationship.
“La La Land” is a story about the misfortune of love. Although the two love each other, their lives, careers and dreams pull them apart. “La La Land” is a sad reminder that sometimes we meet the right person at the wrong time.
“Dance, Girl, Dance” (1940): For those who want more.
“Dance, Girl, Dance” was nothing like what came before. The film follows Judy (Maureen O’Hara) and Bubbles (Lucille Ball) as their failing dance troupe takes them to the world of Broadway burlesque where the women put on solo performances for a crowd of perverted men every night. While Bubbles is a burlesque queen, Judy is an aspiring ballerina whose own doubts keep her from her passion. To make matters more interesting, a young, rich Jimmy Harris (Louis Hayward), comes to town after his failed marriage. Both women take a liking to Jimmy, and while he entertains both, his heart lies with his ex-wife Elinor (Virginia Field).
“Dance, Girl, Dance” is a fascinating critique of the male gaze and its role in entertainment. Judy does not start nor end the film looking for love, but her love of dance remains consistent throughout. Interestingly enough, the film does not end with the two together but rather reemphasizes Judy’s desire for dance. For those like Judy, some things are more important than love.
Honorable Mentions: “How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days” (2003); “Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between” (2022); “We Live in Time” (2024); “Let the Right One In” (2008); “Lisa Frankenstein” (2024)
