Instead of rewatching Bridget Jones’s Diary for the 14th time —which is a completely valid choice, no one is judging you—, try giving a chance to these other films who seem to be less popular, but equally good. Here are our picks for “different” Valentine’s Day film recommendations.
1. Ninotchka (1939)
Iranoff, Buljanoff and Kopalski are commissioned by the Soviet government to sell jewels seized during the revolution in Paris. Their former owner, Grand Duchess Swana, asks one of her friends to recover the treasures. This is how the handsome Count Léon d’Algout crosses paths with Ninotchka, the Soviet political commissar responsible for keeping an eye on her three comrades. Both find their convictions sorely tested by their respective charms.
As well as a romance, Ninotchka is a political satire and a masterpiece. Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas play the leading roles and shine under the direction of Ernst Lubitsch and his famous “Lubitsch Touch”.
2. The Young Girls Of Rochefort (1967)
Delphine and Solange Garnier, twins aged 25, are equally pretty. One is a dance teacher, the other gives music theory lessons. Both dream of finding true love and leaving the small town of Rochefort to move to Paris. And that’s exactly what they’ll do after the fair, which has just come to town. This musical plunges us into a colourful, poetic world as the stories of the film’s many characters intertwine.
Click on the image to watch the official trailer.
Director Jacques Demy was hugely inspired by the golden age of American musicals. That’s why we see Gene Kelly and the cast of West Side Story alongside French icons such as Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Danielle Darrieux and Michel Piccoli. It is said that before the film was shot, all the inhabitants of Rochefort got together to paint what was once a simple fishing village. Even today, the pastel colours on the buildings are maintained.
3. Reality Bites (1994)
After graduating from university, Lelaina films a documentary about her and her friends as they struggle to start a career. Troy, her best friend, is a lazy musician who is perpetually unemployed. Vickie, a manager at the Gap, is worried about the results of an HIV test. Sammy is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. When Lelaina meets Michael, a serious videographer who takes her homemade video to his MTV-like station, she has to decide what’s more important to her: Michael‘s yuppie materialism or Troy‘s philosophical musings.
Reality Bites is a sincere film and a product of its time. That’s what the subtitle says: “A Comedy About Love in the 90s”.
4. Submarine (2010)
At 15, Oliver Tate has two major goals: losing his virginity before his next birthday and preventing his mother from falling back into the arms of her ex-boyfriend. But it’s not easy keeping the attention of Jordana, his dark-haired classmate, nor securing his parents’ rocky marriage if said ex moves into the house next door.
This quirky, strange but captivating comedy is Richard Ayoade‘s directorial debut. The now iconic soundtrack is by Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys).
5. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Born in New York, Rachel Chu has never been to Asia. So, when she accompanies her fiancé Nick Young to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore, Rachel is delighted to discover the continent of her ancestors, even if she is a little apprehensive about meeting his family. Especially since Nick has left out a few important details… not only is he the heir to one of the country’s richest families, he’s also one of its most sought-after bachelors.
Its title may seem simplistic, silly, or even reductive. This film is quite the opposite. It skillfully balances drama and comedy and shows some touching dynamics between the characters. Between the reflections on social class, family, and immigration, moments of fun and laughter are always present.
CREDITS: Malena Cortizo A.
