What could be cozier than snuggling up together on Valentine’s night with a glass of wine each and some popcorn while watching a romantic movie?
Here are some suggestions on the very best Valentine’s Day movies that mom and dad can watch together.
Gone with the Wind (1939) starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen. Directors: George Cukor and Sam Wood.
Even after more than 70 years, Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler continue to enchant movie fans far and wide. This is a classic love story about an affair between a roguish man and a manipulative woman during the civil war and the reconstruction. While perhaps the most girly of the movie choices, there is plenty of action and drama here for guys, especially given the historical backdrop.
Doctor Zhivago (1965) starring Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger and Alec Guinness. Directed by David Lean.
Set during the time of the Russian Revolution, this film follows the life of a married Russian doctor who falls in love with the wife of a political activist. The movie is about the choices that have to be made between love, morals and duty. It also explores that feeling of longing you are left with when you fail to follow your heart.
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) starring Richard Gere, Debra Winger , David Keith, Lisa Blount and Louis Gossett Jr. Directed by Taylor Hackford.
This is an American naval drama which tells the story of a young officer candidate who falls in love while he is completing his training. At first he tries to deny his love for her but in the end he realizes that he cannot live without her and returns to sweep her off her feet.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard and Andy Rooney. Directed by Blake Edwards.
Audrey Hepburn was at her absolute best when she portrayed Holly Go Lightly in this fabulous tale of New York party life.
This is a story of someone who is desperate to love but terrified to commit. Audiences follow the antics of socialite, Go Lightly who is determined to marry a wealthy man but instead she falls in love with a starving author. While not at all action-packed, this is a sophisticated story with charm, humor, and adult complexities, thinly veiled for its time.
Casablanca (1942) starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains. Directed by Michael Curtiz.
This, possible one of the greatest love stories of all time, involves a love triangle when a married saloon owner meets his former lover. Casablanca is staged in Africa during the Second World War and brings us one of the most famous ‘good bye’ scenes ever recorded.
If you haven’t seen Casablanca, rush to get this one. It’s a stirring film with lots of intrigue and even though some of it seems a bit campy after all these years, the story will keep you interested right up until the end.
The English Patient (1996) starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, Naveen Andrews, and Colin Firth. Directed by Anthony Minghella.
This award-winning film tells a story of love and lost during difficult times. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, this haunting movie which features love, betrayal and politics. The plot is both complicated and simplistic and it is worth watching it twice to get a real insight in to the depth of the characters.
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Pretty good list of movies! All very good, very romantic (although some more than others). If they don’t make it feel romantic, at least you’ll have seen some top-notch filmmaking. I made my own list of ten movies perfect to watch on Valentine’s Day (which also includes “Casablanca” but some more contemporary movies as well). You can view the full list on my film&TV blog “Shoot the Critic” (just google it, it’s the first to appear).
Have a great Valentine’s Day this month!
– Shoot the Critic