One of the
most romantic things you can do on Valentine’s Day is go on a date to the movies with
someone new. Or to be even more intimate if you don’t fancy the crowds, maybe a
lovely dinner, a bottle of wine (or two) and a classic romantic movie on television.
Of course you still have to decide what to watch, which can be far trickier. Guys will run a mile at the first sign of Julia Roberts’ quivering bottom lip. Meanwhile, a lot of women will struggle to see the heart-warming romantic side of Blade Runner, or why Danny Dyer is the perfect leading man.
To make sure everyone’s happy, at Badoo we’ve compiled a list of five films that offer the right combination of thrills, laughs and romance to appeal to just about anyone (except, perhaps, your granny)…
Bridesmaids
Okay, bear with us on this one, guys. Yes, it’s called ‘Bridesmaids’, and yes, it does what it says on the box. It’s about a wedding, and all that involves – brides, tantrums, dresses, and so on. However, it was made by comic geniuses Judd Apatow (Anchorman) and Kristen Wiig (Knocked Up), and it’s laugh-out-loud funny. And that’s not polite funny. As the film follows Wiig’s bridesmaid through a series of mishaps and disasters, it’s full of gross-out moments and pottymouthed language, so definitely one to watch with someone broad-minded.
The Thomas Crown Affair
Perfect for those who love the sixties and want a fast-talking, witty edge to their films, (i.e. anyone who loves Mad Men). Bored millionaire Thomas Crown masterminds the perfect bank heist, and is hunted down by an attractive insurance investigator. The appeal of the film is the tremendous chemistry between the iconic Dunaway and McQueen, which truly sizzles as they play cat and mouse. The cars, the clothes, the locations and the furniture are dripping with supercool sixties style, and you don’t find two people cooler than McQueen and Dunaway.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
A strange, beautiful, sad, romantic film from music video director Michel Gondry (check out his amazing Björk videos), it’s no surprise that it stars Kate Winslet, of smooching -Leo-on-a-sinking-ship fame. However you might be amazed it also stars erstwhile rubber-faced funnyman, Jim Carrey. He proves there’s another side to him here, with an underplayed, subtle performance. The film itself is a clever tale of two people who’ve had their memories of each other erased, but who meet and fall in love again. As well as a touching story, there are all sorts of clever special effects, giving a visual treat as well as a satisfying narrative.
The Princess Bride
You can’t get more romantic than dashing adventurers, damsels in distress, noble rescues and evil princes, right? Now say you had all of that, and then added a great big dollop of humour, cunning plans, affable giants and perhaps the best sword fight this side of Errol Flynn. You’ll be hard pressed to find many people who don’t like The Princess Bride, mainly because it cuts out the many schmaltzy excesses and star egos (seriously, the most famous name in the film is probably Andre the Giant), yet at the same time tells a sweet love story without trying to be cynical or ironic about it. Inconceivable!
Casablanca
Everyone knows Casablanca, from Bogie in his tux to Ingrid Bergman walking away to the plane, and we all misquote ‘Play it again, Sam’. Even if you’ve never seen it, you’ve probably used lines from Casablanca (‘We’ll always have Paris’ and ‘I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship’ among them). But you should see it, as it’s pretty much the perfect romantic film. Breathtaking performances from Bogart and Bergman, and a powerful story of two people in love but kept apart by circumstance. It’s also very funny in places, and will make you want to grab the next flight to Casablanca, just to hang out in Rick’s Bar.
Hopefully we’ve inspired you to turn the lights down, crack open a bottle of wine and roll the film. If you want to watch one of these classics with a new friend (without forgetting our suggestions when meeting someone for the first time), why not see who likes films in your area, chat to someone in Encounters, or search for someone who’s interested in dating.