Valentine’s Day is upon us. I am always a sucker for a good romance movie, but especially this time of year. Sure, Hallmark cards and heart-shaped boxes full of chocolate are fun and all, but, in my opinion, nothing compares to a well-done love story. Here are five of the “best”-done modern romance movies, a handful of my favorites from the last decade, in no particular order.
“A Star is Born” (dir. Bradley Cooper)
If you know me, it should come as no surprise that “A Star is Born,” the film that turned Lady Gaga into a pop-culture dual threat, is on this list. A remake of a remake of a remake, the movie tells the story of Jackson Maine, a rising star in the music world, and Ally, a singer-songwriter who desperately wants to be a star, as they navigate the highs and lows of stardom and Maine’s rockstar lifestyle. This is definitely one of the saddest films, if not the saddest film, on this list. Prepare yourself.
“Moonlight” (dir. Barry Jenkins)
“If Beale Street Could Talk,” Barry Jenkins’s follow-up to “Moonlight,” could very well be on this list too, but of the two, I prefer the latter. The story of Chiron, a gay Black man from Miami, is every bit as devastating as “A Star is Born.” Jenkins’s direction of one of the most heartfelt and human movies I have seen is masterful, as are the entire cast’s performances. And James Laxton, the film’s cinematographer, delivers some of the most beautiful and jaw-dropping shots I have laid my eyes on.
“Past Lives” (dir. Celine Song)
In my opinion, Celine Song is one of the most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers. “Past Lives,” her directorial debut, is astonishing and a preternatural first feature. Song’s background as a playwright is wholly evident, as the movie’s story of childhood lovers Nora and Hae-Sung — and their place in each other’s lives and the world at large years after their split — is as tragic as they come. With each subsequent entry on this list, I realize more and more that none of these films are lighthearted rom-coms and heartbreaking tear-jerkers. I am sorry, but genuinely, these are the first five movies that came to mind.
“Phantom Thread” (dir. Paul Thomas Anderson)
Again, no surprises here. Paul Thomas Anderson is my favorite director of all time. To me, “Phantom Thread,” the story of dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his muse, Alma Elson, a waitress and his muse, is not his best film by any means, but when you have made a half-dozen masterpieces, ranking your filmography becomes a nightmare. I will say this, though: I would not watch this movie on Valentine’s Day, especially if you are looking for something to watch with your significant other; it is bitter and acidic to the core.
“The Worst Person in the World” (dir. Joachim Trier)
If it is of any use, Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World,” is not sad, depressing or heartbreaking. However, if you are a confused, lost 20-something who has no idea what they are doing with their life, as I am, and as I assume many — if not nearly all — of you are, it might be the most relatable movie you have ever seen. Renate Reinsve gives one of my favorite performances of the decade so far as Julie, a young woman navigating the whirlwind that is her 20s, including, yes, her love life. I do not want to say anything else. You have just got to watch it. It is one of my favorite films — not just romance films, but films period — of the 2020s.
