Love is in the air in the fair city of film. Across Dublin’s cinemas, there’s plenty of Valentine’s Day screenings afoot, whether it’s The People’s Joker at the Light House, romance rescreenings at the Stella, or 80th anniversary screenings of heartbreaking classic Brief Encounter at the IFI. The new Bridget Jones is out, as is romcom/slasher hybrid Heart Eyes, so there are options out there for film fans looking for a date night out.
But what if you’re staying in this evening? Whether you’re looking for a new flick and chill, a Galentine’s group watch or something to kick off a cathartic cry, the Film In Dublin team have put our heads together to pick out some recommended Valentine’s viewing.
The Palm Beach Story (1940), Dir. Preston Sturges
I’ve never understood the appeal of a romantic movie on Valentine’s Day. It’s such a silly celebration! So I’ve chosen a silly movie about how far one should go to prove how much they love their partner. Preston Sturges’ screwball comedy The Palm Beach Story follows a couple named Tom and Gerry (yes, really) who divorce when Gerry realises that her expensive lifestyle is preventing Tom from making enough money to start his dream company. Aiming to travel to Palm Beach, marry a rich man, and quickly divorce him too so that Tom will have even more money for his genius startup, things get complicated when Tom comes looking for her back, unaware of Gerry’s grand plan. It’s the height of silliness, and features a delightful Claudette Colbert performance, not to mention plenty of Preston Sturges’ legendary zippy dialogue.
– Keelan
In The Mood For Love (2000), Dir. Wong Kar-Wai
On their 1978 power ballad ‘Hold The Line’, Toto’s Bobby Kimball bellowed that “Love isn’t always on time”. While it isn’t quite playing in the same emotional register, Wong Kar-Wai’s new millennium heartbreaker shares the sentiment. If the great love story of your life didn’t quite have the ending you wanted it to, or maybe you’ve just been using the word ‘situationship’ in conversation a bit too much lately, then perhaps ‘In The Mood For Love’ can provide you with a touch of comfort this Valentine’s. Christopher Doyle’s gorgeous slow motion cinematography frames Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung’s almost-romance as one of the most beautiful failures to launch in cinematic history, as we see two jilted lovers steal miniscule moments of intimacy in the shadow of their partners’ affair, and find that feelings can creep up on you just like that.
– Olivia
Charade (1963), Dir. Stanley Donen
I’m cheating here, slightly. Casting Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn – the most iconic and charming romantic leads in cinematic history – in your movie immediately makes it a romantic epic. You could have them reading the phone book aloud for two hours and it would be scintillating stuff! But Charade earns its stripes outside of casting alone: this is a delightfully charming and mysterious romantic comedy that navigates suspense and drama expertly. Our story follows Regina Lambert (Hepburn) as she investigates the mysterious death of her estranged husband, bumping into the charismatic but duplicitous Peter Joshua (Grant) along the way. Light yet thrilling and packed with romance, this is a perfect date night movie for any and all film fans. Please be warned, however: you will fall in love with Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and/or Walter Matthau upon watching Charade.
– Néil
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Dir. Michel Gondry
My girlfriend and I once made the mistake of spending February 14th by going to see Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Walking in as a couple, we were immediately hit with a volley of dirty looks from a nearly sold out audience of single ladies. Eternal Sunshine might be the romance film most in neutral territory between those celebrating Valentine’s Day and those celebrating Galentine’s Day. If you’re the former, it’s an ode to staying together, even when things are hard. If the latter, it’s a blistering indictment of…pretty much the same thing. Such ambiguity is the result of a masterpiece screenplay written by Hollywood’s foremost cynic, Charlie Kaufman, then softened with the whimsical touch of director Michel Gondry, a romantic at heart. Eternal Sunshine finds new ways of revealing itself to you on every rewatch, whether you’re basking in future happy memories or just trying to forget.
Out Of Sight (1998), Dir. Steven Soderbergh
I was lucky enough to introduce a screening of Soderbergh’s hot and heavy heist movie at the IFI’s Bigger Picture last year, and I recommended it to them for the same reason I’m recommending it to you – it’s just sexy, okay? The film also has whip-smart witty dialogue, a deep bench cast of actors on top form and immersive, ambitious and exciting direction, but none of that is as important as the fact that in the film George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez have the most blazingly beautiful on-screen chemistry in Hollywood history. He’s a felon on the run and she’s a federal marshal in hot pursuit, and their cat and mouse chase turns into fervent foreplay so intense that you’ll feel too flushed to look at it, and too thrilled to look away. There’s nothing wrong with a cathartic weepie flick, and a playful romcom is always a good time, but sometimes you want a movie to get the pulses racing between you and your Valentine, and few feature films can get the blood pumping electric as quick.
– Luke
First Wives Club (1996), Dir. Hugh Wilson
Starring your dream blunt rotation or dinner party picks depending on who you are as a person; Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler. Here’s a film that is made for Galentines, but is equally effective at encouraging your fella to give you more than your fair share of the popcorn in recognition of not-all-men’s trashy behaviour on display. The trio’s husbands have all left them for younger women and so they set out to even the score. This film earned composer Marc Shaiman a nomination for Best Original Musical Score, making it a treat for the ears as well as the soul. Little bit of social commentary, lotta fun to be had, give it a goo!
– Jess
Her (2013), Dir. Spike Jonze
It’s hard to think of a more timely Valentines film than Spike Jonze’s Her. It’s also hard to believe that it’s over 10 years old. Joaquin Phoenix is at his awkward best as Theodore Twombly, a man who develops a romantic relationship with his AI operating system Samantha (Scarlett Johansson). It’s set apart from many Valentine’s favourites in two ways. Firstly, its Science Fiction themes are surprisingly dark, almost with a Kubrick energy. This makes it a bit harder to enjoy but ultimately makes for an independently compelling story. Secondly, Her’s warmly pink cinematography stands beautifully against the Shanghai urban scenery while its spellbinding and devastating original soundtrack will stay with you for many a Valentine’s (the good and the lonely!)
– Ethan
Titanic: The Legend Goes On (2000), Dir. Camilo Teti
If you watched Titanic (1997) and thought “you know what this needs? talking animals and a happy ending,” then boy do I have a movie for you. This animated Titanic fever dream follows Angelica, a poor girl with a Cinderella-esque backstory, and William, a rich boy with great hair and heartthrob energy, as they fall in love aboard the doomed ship. I stumbled across this movie when I was about five years old and let me tell you- when William looked Angelica in the eyes and said, “Nothing in this world could prevent me from loving you,” my tiny brain was forever changed. I thought I had just witnessed peak romance! Fast forward to me watching the real Titanic years later, only to be devastated at the lack of talking dogs, rapping mice, and of course, the ending.
I will admit it might not be for everyone, but it’s absurd, unintentionally hilarious, and weirdly charming. If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day movie to watch with kids, or you’re just in the mood for something lighthearted and wildly entertaining, this chaotic gem is worth a watch.
– Ihinose