Film Review: 8 Alternative Films to Watch This Valentine's Day

It's not that I'm against soppy love stories or brain-dead romantic comedies but more that I like my love a little strange. With it being Valentine's and all, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share some of my favourite alternative romantic movies...

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True Romance (Tony Scott, 1993) - A comic-book nerd and Elvis fanatic, Clarence (Christian Slater), falls in love with a prostitute named Alabama (Patricia Arquette). He decides that the pair are to run off in the sunset together but has to break the news to her pimp (Gary Oldman) first - naturally, it does not end well. Mistakenly grabbing a suitcase of cocaine instead of clothing on his way out the door, the two hit the road for California but the mob is not far behind them.

With direction by Tony Scott, a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino and an outstanding, star-studded cast, it's no surprise that True Romance makes for such good viewing. This action-packed, beautifully stylized romance is ultimately thrilling and even sees cameos from Dennis Hopper, Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer. With Tarantino having a role in the making of the film, there is, of course, strong violence, scenes of drug use and other adult themes but it makes for one hell of a ride with love at the centre.

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Eagle vs Shark (Taika Waititi, 2007) - Lily (Loren Horsley), is a socially awkward fast-food waitress with a crush on regular customer, Jarrod (Jemaine Clement); an equally oddball video-game clerk. Having ceased the opportunity to get his attention at a costume party, the pair dives head first in to a relationship but Jarrod is not exactly what Lily expected. Gearing up for his ultimate revenge against a high-school bully, Jarrod unexpectedly dumps Lily but, she digs her heels in and refuses to give up the fight. In doing so, she finds a side of herself she never knew existed.

Eagle Vs. Shark is a quirky romance unlike anything you've ever seen. Filled with dry, kiwi-humour, kooky characters and stop motion sequences, it is certainly unique. If you like New Zealand comedy series, Flight of the Conchords, and vampire mock-doc, What We Do In the Shadows (Taika Waitit, 2014), you'll adore this wonderfully weird and pretty rom-com.

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Lars and the Real Girl (Craig Gillespie, 2007) - An extremely fragile and shy Lars (Ryan Gosling) finds it impossible to socialize with even his family. Living alone in his brother's (Paul Schneider) converted garage, his sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer) worries about his exclusion from the outside world. Much to her surprise, Lars announces he has a girlfriend - a life-size 'real doll' named Bianca. Taking the advice of a doctor (Patricia Clarkson), his family and the rest of the community go along with his delusion in the hopes Lars will find real happiness.

If you ever had any doubts about Gosling's acting ability, this is just one example showcasing his outstanding method performances. At times, this film is both hilarious and heartbreaking but, ultimately, it is a tale of embracing mental illness, love and acceptance. Well worth a watch!

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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Edgar Wright, 2010) - A nobody guitarist for a garage-rock band, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) usually has young girls queuing up to be his girlfriend. However, when Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) skates into his heart, this proves much more difficult. If Scott is to win her hand, he must first defeat an army of seven evil exes who will stop at nothing to eliminate Scott from Ramona's list of suitors.

Based on the comic book series and directed by Edgar Wright, you can expect two solid hours of nostalgia, witty humour and artistic licence. As Wright's first major block buster, it may not have taken home the big bucks at the box office but it's certainly become a cult classic amongst his loyal fans and comic book nerds alike. The cast is made up of talented, later Oscar nominated actors including Anna Kendrick and Jason Schwartzman, and even features a very talented Brie Larson in one of my favourite film musical numbers. If you're looking for an unusual yet amusing tale of boy meets girl, this is the film for you.

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Leon: The Professional (Luc Besson, 1994) - Following the horrific murder of her family by DEA agent Stansfield (Gary Oldman), 12-year-old Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is forced to hide at a neighbours house. Here, she meets Léon (Jean Reno), a reclusive, quiet man who also works as a hired hitman. Learning of his occupation, Mathilda joins forces with a reluctant Léon to learn his deadly trade and avenge her family's deaths. 

Whilst Léon is not a film about romantic love, it is still a tale of a darkly beautiful plutonic relationship. Léon, although a skilled and dangerous hitman, likes the simple things in life and, as their relationship develops, it becomes clear that his mind is like that of an adolescent. Unlike Léon, Mathilda is determined to grow up as fast as she can and, as such, sees Leon as her ticket out of childhood in this wonderfully shot, beautifully directed narrative. Not just one for Valentine's Day, Léon: The Professional is possibly my most favourite film of all time and I would urge you all to watch it.

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004) - Following a painful breakup, Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes an experimental procedure to erase memories from her past. But when her ex-boyfriend, Joel (Jim Carrey) learns that Clementine has removed him from her memory, he undergoes the same procedure in the hopes of forgetting their rocky relationship. However, as Joel slowly begins to forget the woman that he loved, realises he doesn't want to let her go.

In true Michel Gondry style, this film comes complete with quirkey sequences, inspired by French cinema. Both Carrey and Winslet give outstanding and moving performances and in this narrative which depicts the intricacy of relationships and the pain of loss in a visually stunning way we can all relate to. 

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Submarine (Richard Ayoade, 2010) - Oliver (Craig Roberts) is an awkward Welsh teen who, like many boys his age, has one thing on his mind. Sex. He wants to lose his virginity before his 16th birthday but, more importantly, he wants a real girlfriend to love. He sets his sights on a feisty classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige) but with the hardships of teen life and his family life falling apart, the struggles of a real relationship become apparent.

Submarine is actor and comedian, Richard Ayoade's directorial debut and it does not disappoint. Each shot is visually stunning and it's narrative includes a dark yet hilarious wit unlike any coming of age dramas you may have seen previously. If you're looking for a hipster, teen comedy then this is for you.

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500 Days of Summer (Marc Webb, 2009) - Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), is a hopeless romantic working as a greeting card writer. He is suddenly caught off-guard when he meets the love of his life, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), at work. Following a whirlwind, storybook romance, he is completely blind-sighted when she unexpectedly dumps him. As he reflects back on their 500 days together, he tries to piece together where he went wrong but in doing so, learns his opinions on love and life have changed dramatically.

If you haven't seen this by now, where have you been? I saw this at the cinema, expecting not very much and came away with a new favourite. 500 Days of Summer is both funny and heart warming but it is not a love story. A uniquely told narrative which features some great performances which fully launched Zooey Deschanel in to a mainstream fan base and made my love for Joseph Gordon-Levitt double. Furthermore, it easily has one of the best movie soundtracks to date. Go watch it.

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Well, that's it for another movie list. Whether you're enjoying a night-in in peace, with friends or a partner this Valentine's Day, I hope you will enjoy one of these. What are your favourite romantic films? Have you seen any of the above? As always, I love reading your comments so please do leave them below.

Lots of hugs and kisses,