It’s that time of the year again when single folks ponder ways to finally tell their crush how they feel about them or when couples make arrangements for a special date. If you’re looking at a movie date, here’s a list of recommendations we can help you with. These films can be watched either on a digital platform or, in the case of one title, the big screen.
Before Sunrise | Netflix
Richard Linklater is one of those rare filmmakers who have, time and again, demonstrated a knack for understanding people well. Replete with intellectually stimulating conversations between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, Linklater’s heartwarming Before Sunrise is relationship drama done right.
Thoovanathumbikal | Hotstar
Achingly romantic and thought-provoking in equal measure, Padmarajan’s Thoovanathumbikal is an evergreen Malayalam romantic classic which was way ahead of its time. Mohanlal essays the role of an emotionally-conflicted young man, Jayakrishnan, whose affections are split between two women: the admirably feisty and outspoken college girl Radha (Parvathi), and the enigmatic and gracious prostitute Clara (Sumalatha).
Silver Linings Playbook | Netflix
David O. Russell’s emotionally rewarding and funny drama about the unlikely romance between two oddballs is bolstered by the raw and vulnerable performances of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The film also saw Robert De Niro returning to form in a significant role after a long time.
Love Actually| Netflix
This British romantic comedy has it all. It’s funny, extremely charming, and a perfect Valentine’s Day movie with British humour at its best. Directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually features a stellar ensemble cast comprising Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Rowan Atkinson and Chiwetel Ejiofor among others.
Her | Netflix
Should a film about Joaquin Phoenix dating an operating system be on this list? We think so. This poignant Spike Jones film brings up some thought-provoking questions about relationships in today’s digital age.
Varane Avashyamund | running in theatres
A film about losing and finding love, this breezy family entertainer revolves around the relationships of a single army man (Suresh Gopi) and a divorcee (Shobana) aside from that of two youngsters (Dulquer Salmaan and Kalyani Priyadarshan). It is reminiscent of the vintage family dramas we grew up loving, but at the same time comes with a slight contemporary flavour.
Once Again | Netflix
Powered by the electrifying chemistry between Neeraj Kabi and Shefali Shah, Once Again is about finding love in middle age and trying to sustain it through all odds. The two lovers’ sweet, clandestine love affair is portrayed against the backdrop of a lovingly shot Mumbai.
The Age of Innocence | Netflix
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder, this underappreciated Martin Scorsese film is an adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel of the same name. Daniel Day-Lewis plays a recently engaged wealthy lawyer who begins to question his love towards his wife when he meets her cousin, a Countess who is looked upon as something of an outcast by the rest of society.
Crazy Stupid Love | Netflix
Jacob (Ryan Gosling) tries to make a real man out of Cal (Steve Carrell) after the latter discovers that his wife has just cheated on him. Cal is given a proper tutorial by Jacob on how to seduce women. Prepare for some hilarious ‘mentor-protege’ moments. Meanwhile, Jacob falls in love with a woman who doesn’t fall for his ‘tricks’, Hannah (Emma Stone).
Our Souls at Night | Netflix
The fourth collaboration of Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, this sweet, heartfelt and leisurely paced Ritesh Batra film explores bonding, love and companionship through the eyes of a widow (Fonda) and widower (Robert Redford). Having two actors from the golden period of cinema who share superb chemistry helped evoke the charm of those old school Hollywood romance dramas we sorely miss these days.