Valentine’s Day Movie Recommendations: The Cheesy, the Classic, and the Comedic

Valentine’s Day Movie Recommendations: The Cheesy, the Classic, and the Comedic

Emily Holleran
For The Clock
ejholleran@plymouth.edu

Sixteen Candles (1984): Samantha "Sam" Baker (Molly Ringwald) is completely forgotten about on her 16th birthday due to the day also being the eve of her older sister’s wedding. While at school, she finds herself hopelessly smitten with senior heartthrob Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), and is continually embarrassed in his presence. This John Hughes classic is a hilarious addition to the Valentine’s Day movie repertoire.

Pride & Prejudice (2005): Based upon Jane Austen’s novel of the same name, this romance movie is a must-see regardless of whether you’ve read the book. Although at first it may seem alike a typical, boring Victorian love film, the character of Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) is oddly relatable in her rejection of traditional love. Mr. Darcy’s (Matthew Macfadyen) social awkwardness is also thoroughly enjoyable to watch as he finds himself falling for a girl he initially insulted.

When in Rome (2010): Beth (Kristen Bell) is a successful yet single art curator, who decides love maybe just isn’t for her. For her younger sister Joan (Alexis Dziena), however, her spur of the moment wedding sends Beth to the city of Rome. Beth scoops up coins from the “fountain of love” which according to a local legend, will result in the owner falling in love with you. Comedy ensues as she tries to find her way back to Rome to return the coins.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002): In this romantic comedy, 30-year-old Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos (Nia Vardalos), a Greek American woman, is pressured by her old-fashioned Greek parents to find a Greek man and make Greek babies. One does not have to be Greek to enjoy the comical quirks of Toula’s eccentric family, and with the sequel coming up this March, it’s not a bad idea to prepare for the continuation of Toula’s life.

That Awkward Moment (2014): Centered around three best friends Jason (Zac Efron), Daniel (Miles Teller) and Mikey (Michael B. Jordan), this romantic comedy follows their endeavors in New York City, and their promise to each other to stay single. As the three friends struggle to keep their relationships a secret, each of them find their own problems within their relationships that they are pursuing. This film is a comedic look into the thought process of the modern-day single.