Whether you have a valentine this Valentine’s Day or you’re doing the COVID-friendly thing spending the day alone, there is a good chance that you might pop in a romantic comedy. While there is nothing wrong with watching “Miss Congeniality” for the thousandth time, you may want to shake up your routine with some of these rom-coms.
Strictly Ballroom
An Australian classic, “Strictly Ballroom” is the story of a ballroom dancer who when he is forced to change partners to the worst woman in the classic, the two learn to see each other as partners and much more. The first film from director Baz Luhrmann, it maintains a lot of the same flair he’s known for in his later movies like “Romeo and Juliet”, “Moulin Rouge” and “The Great Gatsby”. Unlike those films, though, this is a small story about two regular people finding each other.
“Strictly Ballroom” is now streaming on Showtime.
High Fidelity
A reimagining of the book and movie starring John Cusack, “High Fidelity” turns the plot around to the woman’s perspective. It is the story of a record store owner (Zoe Kravitz) that decides to revisit what with wrong with each of her exes after another breakup. Kravitz is at her absolute best and Da’Vine Joy-Randolph steals every scene she is in. While it is a TV-show, it is easy going down. It’s the perfect show for a Valentine’s Day binge.
“High Fidelity” is now streaming on Hulu.
Married to the Mob
Over the top is probably the best word to describe this movie. A mob widow (Michelle Pfeiffer) finds herself having to avoid two threats after her husband’s death: a mob boss that wants her way with her (Dean Stockwell) and an FBI investigator (Matthew Modine) that she finds herself falling for. The movie is by no means your average mob movie, though. It can probably be best thought of as a kitsch “Scarface”.
“Married to the Mob” is now streaming on Cinemax.
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Another classic from the queen of the ‘90s romantic comedy. “My Best Friend’s Wedding” is the story of a woman (Julia Roberts) who decides to try and win back her friend and ex the weekend of his wedding. Roberts is as magnetic as ever here, but the desperation of actions makes her much more sympathetic than normal.
“My Best Friend’s Wedding” is now streaming on Netflix.
Palm Springs
“Palm Springs” has an unusual quality that you don’t find in most romantic comedies: existential dread. In this 2020 Hulu release, two guests (Andy Samberg and Christina Miloti) at a wedding are forced to relive the same day over and over again, but only they realize it (“Groundhog Day” style). With each day, they begin to fall for each other while also questioning what it means to be alive.
“Palm Springs” is now streaming on Hulu.
