Arts writer Will Nichols shares his movie recommendations for everyone celebrating and yearning on Valentine’s Day.
Arts writer Will Nichols shares his movie recommendations for everyone celebrating and yearning on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day invites a lot of feelings — loneliness for some, confusion for others and romance for an idealized few. No matter how you’ll be celebrating the holiday, there are plenty of movies out there to harness any emotion you may be feeling. This is the Phoenix’s viewing guide, which is sure to have something for everybody.
If you need to laugh, watch: ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’
If you’re looking for a good laugh this Valentine’s Day, look no further than 2003’s “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Simply put, this film is the peak of 21st century rom-coms.
Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson have out-of-this-world chemistry, which is supported by the film’s delightfully ridiculous storyline — wherein both characters unknowingly compete to achieve opposite outcomes in their new relationship — along with a few truly hilarious set pieces.
“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” is streaming on Peacock and Paramount+.
If you need to cry, watch: ‘Marriage Story’
An emotional holiday like Valentine’s Day invites tears, and if you find yourself in need of a good cry, look no further than the 2019 masterpiece “Marriage Story.” Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, the film follows the tumultuous divorce of Charlie and Nicole.
This movie has a few of the most devastating, heartbreaking moments ever committed to screen that are sure to make anyone with a pulse tear up, but the film really excels in the quiet, sentimental moments that’ll be sure to tug at your heartstrings.
“Marriage Story” is streaming on Netflix.
If you just broke up, watch: ‘Midsommar’
Though technically a horror film, “Midsommar” captures the essence of all of the embittered, messy feelings of a break up better than most romantic films trying to capture the same idea.
Ari Aster’s 2019 Swedish cult masterpiece “Midsommar” is at its core a movie about finding the strength to leave a toxic relationship. The film features an absolute knock-out performance by Florence Pugh as an incredibly lonely, lost wandering soul.
“Midsommar” is available to purchase on demand.
If you’re still with your childhood sweetheart, watch: ‘Love & Basketball’
In 2000’s “Love & Basketball,” Gina Prince-Bythewood creates a beautiful story of lifelong lovers threaded across time, connected by their past and a passion for the game of basketball.
Both an entertaining sports drama and elegant romance, “Love & Basketball” may feel very familiar and ordinary, but the synthesizing of these two distinct genres creates an incredibly tender, moving portrait of pure love.
“Love & Basketball” is streaming on Max.
If you’re in a love triangle, watch: ‘The Worst Person in the World’
One of the esteemed entries in the “woman-trying-to-find-herself-in-her-20s” genre, Joachim Trier’s critically acclaimed 2021 film “The Worst Person in the World” will do anything but give you the easy answers about love.
Played by Renate Reinsve in a breakout performance, the film gives its protagonist, Julie, the space to make the same mistakes people in the real world make everyday as they try to navigate their love lives, even if it makes them feel like “The Worst Person in the World”
“The Worst Person in the World” is streaming on Kanopy.
If you’re falling in love, watch: ‘Licorice Pizza’
While more heralded for his other films, Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2021 film “Licorice Pizza” is one of the most essential romances released in the past decade.
Led by Alana Haim as Alana Kane and Cooper Hoffman as Gerry Valentine, “Licorice Pizza” is an honest portrayal of youthful love, the kind filled with passion and mistakes. Anyone falling in love can likely see little parts of themselves in Alana and Gerry and the love they share.
“Licorice Pizza” is streaming on Netflix.
If you’re engaged, watch: ‘Father of the Bride’ (1991)
As the title indicates, “Father of the Bride” follows a father — played by Steve Martin — preparing to see his 22-year-old daughter get married. Martin’s character, perhaps unsurprisingly, has some reservations about his daughter getting married so young, which leads to a few wonderfully comic moments.
Like the house the majority of the film takes place in, “Father of the Bride” is filled to the brim with charm and character, and is a perfect Valentine’s Day pick for anyone preparing for marriage.
“Father of the Bride” is streaming on Disney+.
If you’re married, watch: ‘Up’
It’s hilarious, in a way, that one of the most beautiful portrayals of a life of love and marriage comes in an animated movie with a talking dog and a house that flies. But, funny as it may seem, it certainly is the truth.
While “Up” may seem a silly recommendation for a married couple, there are few sequences or movies in cinematic history that portray a fulfilling marriage like the opening moments of “Up” do, which makes it more than worthy of the recommendation.
“Up” is streaming on Disney+.
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