Our Top Valentine's Day Movies

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and love is in the air. For many, the holiday is a time to celebrate your loved one. Some ply their sweethearts with flowers, chocolates, fancy dinners, and expensive jewelry. Here at Polychrome our sweet spot is films - from kooky romances to tearjerkers that pull at your heartstrings. We found five fantastic Valentine’s Day movies that will satisfy your hankering for romance and leave you swooning with their fashionable style.

La La Land (2016)

dir: Damien Chazelle | starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Rosemarie DeWitt

In this beautiful musical, pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and actress Mia (Emma Stone) fall for each other based on their common aspirations. Set in Los Angeles, this film shows the heartbreak and joy that comes with chasing after what you love with the one you love.

Although the movie is set in modern times, the retro styling is a nod to the golden age of musicals and also underscores that this is really an old-fashioned love story. The beautiful dresses Emma Stone wears throughout the film lend an air of elegance. Gosling is costumed suits and dress shirts to keep a polished and nostalgic feel to the movie.

Ruby Sparks (2012)

dir: Johnathan Dayton | starring: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Annette Bening

This 2012 romantic drama is not what you would expect. When Calvin Weir-Fields (Paul Dano) experiences writer’s block, he conjures up his dream woman as a solution. Overnight, his fantasy muse, Ruby Sparks (Zoe Kazan) comes to life. What she doesn’t know is that she is a creation of his of writing and therefore completely controlled by him. Although variations on 'Pygmalion' are a common theme, this one has some unexpected twists and turns as the heroine is not quite as pliable as we have come to expect. The quirky and fun styles Ruby sports really makes this movie fun to watch; she wears bright tights and coloured dresses that often clash in a creative way. With her unique style, even in when in jeans and a cardigan, Ruby Sparks brings a flamboyant intensity to this interesting film.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

dir: Wes Anderson | starring: Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis

The 2012 Wes Anderson film celebrates all the woes of young love. Set in the 1960s, Moonrise Kingdom follows 12 year-old boy scout Sam (Jared Gilman) and his girlfriend Suzy (Kara Hayward) as they fall in love and run away to be together. When a threat of a violent storm arises, the adults (Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray) form a search party which makes for a funny and offbeat adventure. Like all Wes Anderson films, the colour focus, eccentric nostalgia, and aesthetic shots are a must see. Tube socks, canvas sneakers, peter pan collared dresses, and scout berets emphasize the nostalgic style.

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

dir: Luca Guadagnino | starring: Timothee Chalamet, Armie Hammer

Call Me By Your Name is a new movie, and still being shown in theaters - perfect for Valentine's Day! This film is about a relationship between 17 year-old Elio (Timothee Chalamet) and his father’s research assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer). Elio meets Oliver during the summer at his father’s villa and experiences an attraction like never before. The film takes place in 1983 Italy and features all the preppy summer styles you would expect for an upperclass male at the time. Classic examples of leisurewear such as striped shirts, polos, khaki shorts, jean shorts, and thick black watches are showcased throughout the film. The style choices perfectly illustrate the upper class life that is the stage for their love story.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

dir: Michel Gondry | starring: Kate Winslet, Jim Carey, Tom Wilkinson

Set in a more technologically advanced world, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a mind-bending film with lots of heartbreak as well as heart lifting moments. After breaking up, Clementine (Kate Winslet) has a procedure done that completely erases her ex, Joel (Jim Carrey), from her memory. When Joel finds out, he too goes through the same procedure and experiences all of the love and heartbreak once again. Kate Winslet’s eccentric style made Clementine a fascinating character to follow. Going from bright orange to bright blue hair, there was no lack of quirkiness in her style. She wears oversized coats and fun graphic tees that made her seem down to earth. Jim Carrey wears polos and sweaters to really emphasize the winter season and the laid-back nature of his character.

Cutie and the Boxer (2013)

dir: Zachary Heinzerling | starring: Ushio Shinohara, Noriko Shinohara, Alex Shinohara

Categorized as a documentary, this New York love story is a about famous boxer and painter, Ushio Shinohara, and his wife, Noriko Shinohara. The film follows their crazy 40-year marriage and her growing desire to create her own identity after being defined by him for so long. The eccentric style of the couple features many mixed prints draped over each other and plenty of paint stained clothes. They are not shy about their unique styles and showcasing them amidst the the everyday fashion drama that is New York City. This film is not only an account of the couple's long-spanning relationship, but also a look at what can happen when two individuals' identities become intertwined after a lifetime of being together.

What are your top picks are for Valentines Day films? Let us know below!

For more fashionably inspiring film suggestions, be sure to see our other posts tagged #FashionFilmFun - and don't forget to check our Trend Market for all the latest in upcoming fashion trends!

sources: imdb | YouTube

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