"Life just isn't like the movies is it? We're constantly led to believe in resolution in the establishment of the ideal status quo, and it's just not true. Happy endings are a myth. Designed to make us feel better about the fact that life is just another thankless struggle." - Spaced (1999)
Valentine's day is a strange one. Love is a strange one. All the promises and ideal views of love and romance are just simply not really true. Love and Romance is a complex beast, with the simple happy ending just not being true. Relationships are just as much about persevering through lows as they are about the highs. We've selected some great films for anti-Valentines day. Let's get nihilistic!
Quadrophenia
The Who's film about mods and rockers is much more than a simple musical. Accompanied by the legendary soundtrack, a huge part of our protagonist's development is tied to his whirlwind romance. Quadrophenia is, at its heart all about learning that relationships and love are not all black and white. Additionally, the film has an overall coming-of-age film theme makes it incredibly relatable and powerful. Also, Sting is in it and he looks FABULOUS.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is all about erasing someone out of your life. After a tumultuous relationship, the film poises itself on the rumination on the good and bad parts of romance. Eternal Sunshine might be cringeworthy or hard to watch at points, but that's down to the production of the film and because it feels incredibly realistic in every shot. It's an intimate film that allows the viewer an insight into a failed relationship.
The Lobster
The Lobster is all about finding a mate within 45 days. If you do not, you get turned into an animal of your own choice. The Lobster is more of a black comedy, with deadpan sarcasm populating the film. It's not as tough a watch as the other films on this list, but the cringy moments did make us recoil in horror a few times. This combination of dry humour and bleak cynicism towards all things romance makes The Lobster one of our top picks this Anti-Valentine's Day.
500 Days of Summer
Searching for the ideal partner is never easy. So what if you find them and they don't want a romantic relationship? 500 Days of Summer explores the murky middleground between romance and physical relationships. With its nonlinear structure that echoes beats of 'Annie Hall', 500 Days of Summer has become a smash hit which is unflinching and all too relatable for everyone out there.
The Raid 2
The Raid 2 is a two-hour punching symphony that is not romantic at all, it has cool stunts and also has punching. Did we mention that The Raid 2 has scenes that have men, being punched? The man to punch ratio of The Raid 2 is off the charts, so if you don't fancy a depressing film about the realism of romance, there's always solace in watching people get beaten up.
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