Staff Writer- Emily Sustaita
Hailey Mueller
It’s that time of the year again…the holiday that you love, dread, or ignore is sneaking up on you: good ol’ Valentine’s Day. For some, this might be a day to spend time with that special someone or with a group of friends; for others, it might be a day that you spend by yourself. Whatever way you choose to spend this day, it doesn’t have to be all about going on dates and giving gifts; Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse to watch—wait for it—romance films! The following list I compiled features a variety of romance films that are sure to pique your interest for this rosy holiday!
It Happened One Night (1934)
Starting off with a 92-year-old film, It Happened One Night is the original screwball comedy! It follows the story of Ellie Andrews, who after escaping her father, makes the journey to New York to marry the man she loves. However, as she travels upstate, she runs into Peter Warne, a scheming newspaperman who offers to help her only if she gives him an exclusive story on her marriage. One thing leads to another though, and sparks begin to fly between the bickering duo. Personally, this is a favorite of mine, and I would recommend it to anyone who has never seen an old Hollywood film before. The silly banter between Ellie and Peter is so fresh and enjoyable to watch; it’s this film that all your favorites looked to for the tropes you know and love today!
Roman Holiday (1953)
Have a box of tissues nearby, because for this next film, the ending is sure to make you cry! Roman Holiday follows the story of Princess Anne, a royal princess on a European goodwill tour. When she arrives at her final destination, Rome, she has a nervous breakdown due to her exhausting schedule. To escape her royal obligations, she runs off into the city of Rome looking for an adventure. Along the way, she meets Joe Bradley, an American journalist who takes her under his wing to explore the city together. If you’re a fan of Audrey Hepburn, this is a definite must-watch! The onscreen chemistry between her and Gregory Peck (the actor who plays Joe Bradley) is perfect; there are so many memorable scenes between the two that will make you feel all happy inside. (Not to mention, the cityscape of Rome is absolutely gorgeous in the film!)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Jumping all the way to the 90s, Sleepless in Seattle is a heart-throbbing classic! It follows the story of Sam Baldwin, a father of one who, after losing his wife, moves to Seattle to restart his life. However, on Christmas night, his son, Jonah, does the unexpected by phoning into a radio station to ask for a new wife for his dad. Within seconds, Sam finds himself expressing his personal struggle to the entire nation—and it is specifically Annie Reed who hears him. Moved by his story, she takes the risk to reach out to him and proposes to meet up. A sincere film about taking chances in life, this film is sure to make you feel all fuzzy inside as you watch Sam and Annie’s lives slowly intersect with one another. On the other hand, this film also provides thought-provoking commentary on grief and the struggle that comes with moving on in life when you’ve lost a loved one.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
You might be wondering, “Emily, why do I see the word ‘hate’ in this title? That’s not very Valentine’s-like.” Well…hear me out! This film follows the story of two sisters named Kat and Bianca Stratford, who are polar opposites in personality. When the younger sister Bianca wants to begin dating, their father comes up with a rule that won’t allow Bianca to date unless Kat dates first. This leads to Bianca’s love interest, Joey, bribing a certain boy at school to take Kat out. What starts off as a ploy for money eventually leads to sparks flying. This is a film that is witty and relatable in its humour and will certainly make you laugh! Underlying the story is a lesson of not conforming to society, even when it runs against you. And of course, the chemistry between Kat and this certain boy–Patrick–is so enjoyable to watch! (Fun Fact: this film is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. So for all my Shakespeare fans…hie thee hither!)
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
There are no words to describe this film—it is absolute perfection. Adapted from Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, this film follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a young, unmarried lady who begins facing pressure from her family to marry. When Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy, a seemingly cold and prideful man, her life is thrown into loops. As she encounters him several times throughout the film, she slowly sees that there is more than meets the eye to him. With its mixture of romance, prejudice, and pride, this film is a great way to celebrate the book and its important themes, or to simply learn more about it! I can guarantee you that there are so many memorable scenes in this film that will be forever etched in your mind. By the way, where is my Mr. Darcy?