On Valentine's Day, what better way to share an intimate evening as a couple with a good glass of wine or quality champagne, a scrumptious homemade chocolate dessert and last but not least a touching film.
The most obvious movie choice for Valentine's Day is probably a lighthearted romantic comedy since they provide and the love story and the happy ending so that you can spend your evening feeling good and happy. However some lovers will connect with each other through slightly more dramatic and moving love stories. The list has opted for the less popular movies, after all who wants to see Pretty Woman, You've got Mail or Titanic for the hundredth time? Admittedly, some of these movies will be seen as the typical chick flick by men, but one evening in the year they will have to bear with it to please their girlfriend, fiancee or wife. And, the good part is that girls love a guy with a soft spot! So if you haven't completely won her over yet, here's your chance!
To help you choose the movie that's just right for your special evening, here's a list of the top ten movies for Valentine's Day.
1. The Notebook (2004, with James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Ryan Gosling, Rachel Mc Adams)
The Notebook is a romantic drama, based upon the novel with the same title, about a couple who fall in love during the early 1940s. Their story is narrated from the present day by an elderly man who reads from his notebook to an old lady in a nursing home.
A beautiful and moving film about the power of love ("Behind every great love is a great story"), taking you onto a journey with a surprising and revealing ending.
2. Love Actually (2003, with Keira Kneightley, Emma Thompson,Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth)
Love Actually is the perfect feel good movie from the makers of Bridget Jones's Diary and Notting Hill! This romantic comedy of interconnnected stories with an all-star cast will make you laugh and empathize with love's delightful twists and turns.
3. Hitch (with Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Amber Valetta, Kevin James)
In Hitch Will Smith plays a matchmaker in New York who can every man the girl of his dreams in just three dates. When the "date doctor" helps the boring bookkeeper Albert Brennaman to conquer the heart of gorgeous society heiress Allegra Cole he messes things up between him and the girl of his dreams because she (a tabloid journalist finds out who the nice man she was dating really is).
Perfect romantic comedy with chemistry between Smith and Mendes. The funny parts are hilarious and the romantic, cute parts are forgettable.
4. Jerry Maguire (1996, with Tom Cruise, Renee Zelwegger, Cuba Gooding Junior)
Movies with sports (American Football) and love usually score well with men and women. In Jerry Maguire Tom Cruise plays a frustrated sports agent who tries to make it on his own, following his own philosophy, in the competitive American football industry with demanding clients and players. His secretary (Renne Zelwegger) believes in him (and fancies him) and sticks with him, for better or worse together with his one client (Cuba Gooding Junior).
A bit of comedy, drama, sports and romance. Maybe not an absolute top film, but definitely passionate in acting performance Cruise, Zelwegger and Cuba Gooding Jr.. Beautifully written with quotations that became popular: " you complete me", "you had me at hello" (after a lengthy romantic plea from Maguire) "Show me the money".
5. P.S. I Love You (2007, with Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Harry Coninck Junior, Kathy Bates, Jeffrey Dean Morgan)
In P.S. I love you, based on the novel with the same name, Holly Kennedy has it all: she is smart, beautiful and happily married to a funny Irishman named Gerry. Unfortunately, Gerry gets ill and dies, leaving Holly devastated and lost. But before Gerry died, he wrote Holly a series of letters to help her dealing with her grief and building up a new life. Each letter ends with the words: P.S. I Love You.
Beautiful romantic drama with a laugh and a tear. About loss, hope and new beginnings.
6. As Good as it Gets (1997, with Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnaer)
Oscar winning (best actor and best actress) As good as it gets shows a brilliant Jack Nicholson as Melvin an obsessive-compulsive writer whose life gets turned upside down when his gay neighbour gets taken into hospital and Melvin has to look after his dog and...he hates dogs. On top of this, the only waitress (a great Helen Hunt) who can bear him has to take leave to look after her son who's ill so Melvin can not be served by her in the restaurant anymore.
The acting performances are brilliant; the film paints rather sad and somber situations in life, but manages to lift them out of the dark by means of friendship and putting things in perspective. Enjoy and "brace yourself for Melvin"
7. About a Boy (2002, with Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult)
In about a boy Hugh Grant plays Will, a 36-year-old man who still acts as your typical 20-something with a fear of commitment. He goes to single mother meetings, pretending he has a child, on the assumption that they are more desperate. However, when he meets Marcus - a very mature and bit peculiar twelve-year-old - things change. Soon, Will and Marcus become friends, and as Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will finally to grow up.Touching movie with deeper layers then commitment fear and growing up; it's also about daring to be who you are and self acceptance. Maybe not your typical Valentine's Day film, but charming and cute romantic comedy at the surface.
8. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003, Diane Lane)
Under the Tuscan Sun shows Frances (Diane Lane) who suddenly finds herself in a divorce from her husband who cheated upon her. Devastated and not knowing what to do with her love she goes, under the urge of her friends, on a bus tour of Tuscany. There she falls for a run down house and decides to buy it. After that a whole bunch of funny, peculiar, but friendly people get into her life. Slowly life offers new opportunities and could there be love?..
Charming, no frills attached romantic comedy with a great motto: "Life offers you a thousand chances ... all you have to do is take one"
9. (Shakespeare's) Romeo and Juliet (1996, with Leonardi Dicaprio and Claire Danes)
Baz Luhrmann's modern version of Romeo and Juliet (with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes) is a clever and daring adaptation, set in Los Angelos (the fictitious 'Verona Beach'). Two powerful families, the Montagues and the Capulets are business rivals. The war breaks loose when Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love.
Cult film beautifully and daringly acted by a young DiCaprio and Danes. Creative, modern adaptation that got a lot of criticism.
10. Pearl Harbor (2001, with Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, Cuba Gooding Junior, ...)
Pearl Harbor features an all-star cast and tells a gripping story of love and friendship in times of war. It is set against the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1940.
This is a classic, and although the reviews were not raving it still deserves a place on this list, since its appeal to both men and women with the theme of love and war.
This Valentine's Day stay at home, snuggle up and enjoy some nice moments together with one of the top ten movies for Valentine's Day. Happy viewing!
Carlien van de Kreeke - About me Carlien van de Kreeke has a Masters Degree in Germanic languages (English/ Dutch Literature and Linguistics), obtained at the ...
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