Another V-Day, another dollar in Hollywood’s pocket. While we’re all out celebrating our loves and hearts’ desires, corporations across the world cash in on our fated destinies.
So why shouldn’t the entertainment industry add to the charm that is St. Val’s day of honor? Thankfully, we don’t have to look hard to find some of those love offerings-the romantic movies. Look no further, because here is a list of five films that offer different messages of love.
5. “Brokeback Mountain”
One of the biggest critical smashes of the year, this also offers one of the most sincere love plotlines in recent years. It’s the story of a forbidden love that burns for more than 20 years. But the most powerful message in this film is found in the changes each character endures because of this hidden secret.
At the end, when the audience sees the extent to which these two men loved each other, it’s one of those movie moments where the true sensation of love is captured on film. In this case, it’s the sensation of heartbreak, “punch to the crotch” pain and a sense of longing and aching that every victim of love has experienced. And we’re left with the knowledge that through all the hurt, it’s the memories we make that will always last and comfort us.
Bottom line: After the ending rips your heart out and spits on the ventricles, the realization that time is fleeting and we need to love while we can sinks in. And everything feels worthwhile again.
4. “Dirty Dancing”
Everyone has seen this movie at least 10 times. And the reason is because of the last five minutes where the big dance scene occurs. After almost two decades on film, “Dirty Dancing” might not have the most risqu‹¨ dance moves (You can see more provocative dancing on commercials nowadays), and it might not have the best music by today’s standards, but the formula is one that has never been copied.
Girl meets boy. Boy dances with his hips. Girl likes boy. Boy’s dance partner has an illegal abortion and can’t dance. Boy dances with girl. Girl makes boy fall in love. Boy leaves girl. Girl sits in corner, Boy comes back, gets girl out of the corner. Boy and girl dance on stage in front of 100 octogenarians. Boy lifts girl. Audience swoons. It’s always worth another watch.
Bottom line: When “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” begins playing, all faith in love and that which is happiness is restored.
3. “The End of the Affair”
It may not be the most well-known movie, but it has one of the most powerful messages. Set immediately after WWII in London, a man tries to understand why the love of his life, a married woman, left him. With flashbacks and trips to her home, he wants to know what caused the end of his affair.
Beautifully played (Julianne Moore really knocks this one out of the ballpark), the audience soon discovers the fate of both these ill-fated lovers. One is doomed to a life without his true love, while the other is tortured with the knowledge that she can never see her sweetheart again. There’s a reason for the end of the affair. But you really need to see it to understand the lengths we go for love, even to the point of self-sacrifice.
Bottom line: True love lasts a lifetime, even if it’s just a lifetime of memories.
2. “Love Actually”
With the word love in the title, this movie was fated to be a crowd pleaser on Feb. 14. And it is. Composed of vignettes, each telling a story of love, this movie is one of Britain’s finer imports. One character is so happy he dances to the radio; another learns to play the drums to impress a girl. One person wants to travel to the States to have sex with American girls, while another finds himself learning Portuguese so he can get the chick.
But the best part of this movie is its honesty. Not every story has a happy ending or even an ending we’re accustomed to seeing onscreen. And like real love, “Love Actually” is complicated, sad or amazing at times and worth every minute.
Bottom line: Of all the great stories and laughs, the divorcee and Portuguese maid scenes made my emotionally devoid ex sniffle.
1. “Pretty Woman”
Another audience fave, this rags-to-street skank-to-riches story showcases one of love’s finer virtues-blindness. Sure, Julia Roberts was a hot hooker, but the blindness here is how love stretched across all the differences and made a connection. Who cared if he was uptight or she was crass? No one bothered to question why a successful businessman and a hooker would take things that far.
That’s because they were perfect for each other. And hence the message of “Pretty Woman.” When it works, it works.
And anyone who has ever felt out of place, take a lesson from Kit. She walked in Rodeo Drive stores in her streetwalker gear. And when she was told to leave, she showed her face again just to tell them where they could shove their snooty attitudes.
Bottom line: If a hooker can get it all, I’ve got a pretty good shot, too.
Dustin Barnes is a graduate student in French. He can be contacted at [email protected].