With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we were inspired to dig into our film collection and highlight some of our favorite love stories. The full spectrum of romantic experience is represented, from courtship to enchantment to heartache. Come check out the selections below, and many others displayed on the 2nd floor, and fall in love with the movies all over again!
Bobbie recommends Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Wouldn't it be so easy to erase the heartbreak and sadness of a love lost? To never remember that person, the moments, those memories both good and bad? In this film, an experimental procedure exists that can erase those memories and, once Joel (Jim Carrey) realizes his ex (Kate Winslet) has chosen to forget him, he vows to do the same for her. But he quickly realizes maybe he doesn't want to lose those memories and that love and affection is not so easily lost.
Craig recommends All That Heaven Allows
Starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson, and released back in 1955, this is the story of an upper-class widow who falls in love with a much younger, down-to-earth gardener, much to the disapproval of her collegiate children and criticism of her country club peers.
Chris recommends Moonstruck
Family tradition is challenged by true love in this contemporary classic. Loretta has plans to marry the sensible but underwhelming Johnny until they’re shaken up by his passionate and freewheeling brother, Ronny, much to the chagrin of her close knit family. With a gorgeous New York as the backdrop, this funny and sophisticated romance has the power to win over any audience.
Heather recommends Down With Love
Writer Barbara Novak is on a quest to help women enjoy sex without commitment, forget about love, and replace men with chocolate. However, notorious ladies' man Catcher Block is on a mission to trick Barbara into falling in love with him, thereby discrediting her methodology for female advancement....except that he's falling for her too. Uh-oh! This is a fun film full of witty banter and retro sensibilities, a parody of all those 1940's-50's romantic comedies that ALWAYS ended with a wedding.
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This film isn't your typical story of mismatched lovers. Its nonlinear structure is an interesting device, tracing the development of the protagonist's romantic life thematically rather than chronologically.
This is all a very academic way to say that it's a "smart" romance, starring talented actors. If you're in a reflective mood, this film will both entertain you and make you think about the existence of "True Love".
