Five Unconventional Romance Films by Dio Rochino

      It’s after Valentine’s Day and while sauntering to the couch and reveling in post chocolate hangovers, I quickly glance at the collection for a series of perfect romantic movie chasers.  Amidst all the titles, I’ve noticed that a majority of them are formulaic, puppy dog, overdone love films and while these are entertaining, there’s only so many times I can watch Love Actually or a clone of it featuring a holiday for a title.  So I scrounged around bypassing pictures like Titanic and My Best Friends Wedding to pull out five unconventional romantic movies for a post Valentine’s Day marathon.  

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

      One of the few romance movies in my opinion that gets it right, it’s a far cry from the mushy, sentimental, honey moon phase pictures that dominate the genre.  Instead, we get to see a love story in reverse as artist Joel Barrish, fresh out of a tumultuous relationship with free spirited Clementine, decides to get the memories of her erased with a procedure.  With most of the movie taking place in his mind as he relives each recollection, we get to see how the relationship ended badly connecting with his choice for the extraction process.  This adds a bit of bittersweet irony as he begins to remember the great memories.  The movie then takes a drastic turn as he psychologically battles against the procedure to try to hold on to at least one of those moments, witnessing the agony he goes through as each of them is deleted one at a time.

High Fidelity

      A rare romantic movie that’s narrated from the male perspective, it’s an adaptation of the equally informative novel from Nick Hornby.  Rob, the owner of a barely in business record store reflects on both his present and past courtships using pop music as an allegory.  His perspective on romance which is both truthful and unflinching have caused upon multiple viewings, my male friends to agree and my female friends to be curious.  It’s commentary on amorous affections is altogether sweet, crude and often times insensitive but it’s honest and is a good example of the logic that can drive the male’s mentality during various stages of relationship maturity.

When Harry Met Sally

      A film that hilariously attempts to answer the age old question. Can men and women truly ever be friends or do feelings get in the way?  One of the best screenplays from the late Nora Ephron, the story revolves around Sally Albright and Harry Burns.  Two people who can’t stand each other when they first meet but over the years, end up creating a wonderful friendship.  Although they have completely different personalities, they’ve learned to appreciate each other and as their loyalty to one another strengthens, so do their individual perspectives on everything.  Among these include assessments on Casablanca and whether men really know if women are faking orgasms.  Over time, their adoration for one another grows as they support each other through bad relationships, divorces, blind dates and work.  But when affectionate feelings slowly come into play, the film definitely brings a roundabout answer to whether or not it’s right to be romantically involved with your best friend.

L.A. Story

      Silly, crazy, heartfelt and undeniably written by Steve Martin comes a love story set in the magical land of L.A.  Martin stars as wacky weatherman Harry Telemacher who unbeknownst to him, is on the road to happiness thanks to the advice of a wise old electronic freeway condition sign.  Confusing?  Believe me, it all comes together.  An endearing romantic film that explores love among the subcultures and unique happenings of Los Angeles, there are definitely a lot of inside jokes that will make the people who live here relate and the ones that don’t laugh in disbelief.  Among them include earthquakes, ordering coffee, springtime shootings on the freeway, the San Fernando Valley and the importance of celebrity status when dining at a restaurant.

Before Sunrise / Before Sunset

      A film series that redefines the term epic romance, it’s very much philosophical as it is affectionate.  Both films center on one love story as we follow a couple through two different times in their lives.  The first film begins as they both meet unexpectedly on a train in Europe.  Deciding to step off together on a whim, Jesse, an American tourist and Celine, a Parisian student traveling home, share a wonderful romantic night together in Vienna before they have to go their own separate ways in the morning.  The second movie occurs as they fortuitously meet again in Paris nine years later.  They spend a day reminiscing about their quick time together as they determine whether it would’ve been the right thing to continue or let the one night remain as a perfect memory.

      The great thing about these films is that they were shot in actual time and genuinely reflect how love is viewed through the comprehension of the character’s ages.  The first examining how romance is seen through the eyes of two young people in their early twenties as they have their future to look forward to.  A little bit innocent and a little bit naive, it is perfectly complimented by the following picture which was actually filmed nine years later focusing on the characters in their thirties.  By this time, they’ve lived a little, they’ve been hurt and they’re a little more cautious.  It’s a great series to dive into, especially before the third installment gets released later this year.  This time reflecting on Jesse and Celine as they’re in their forties, Before Midnight again opens exactly nine years since the release of the last film.

      There are a lot of films in my collection that I wanted to add to the marathon.  Serendipity and Somewhere in Time are amongst them.  But I definitely didn’t have time to watch more so I will have to save them for a later date.  However, If anybody has any recommendations they want to share or would like to remark on the list above, please leave some in the comments below.  I would love to hear your opinions. Also, I’m always looking for new films to watch and reminders for one’s that I haven’t seen in a while.