From "Casablanca" to "Sleepless in Seattle": The ultimate Valentine’s Day watch list

It’s finally here, the most dreaded holiday of the year: Valentine’s Day. 

For someone in a relationship, you may be worried about what you are supposed to gift to your partner, or how to meet the holiday’s high expectations. If you’re single, you’re probably trying to figure out how you can make the most of a day that is actively against people like you. And if you are in an undefined romantic situation… good luck. 

However, Feb. 14 doesn’t have to be such a scary concept. Regardless of your relationship status, buy some flowers, get yourself a heart-shaped box of chocolates and watch some good Valentine’s Day-themed movies and TV. 

Here’s what I will be watching and recommend you watch too:

"Sleepless in Seattle" (1993)

Fun fact: love was actually invented by Nora Ephron and Meg Ryan. They have collaborated for three of the most romantic classics to date: "Sleepless in Seattle," "You’ve Got Mail" and "When Harry Met Sally." The first has the most significance for this specific holiday though. Tom Hanks is a widowed father who believes he will never find love again, and Ryan is a journalist who has a fiancé and a lot of doubts. Everything about this film will make you believe in soulmates. It’s simplistic, with a script that never misses its mark. It’s also a homage to "An Affair to Remember," which I would also highly recommend for this holiday, even though it didn't make the list. 

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004)

Have you ever wished you could erase a movie from your memory so you could experience it again for the first time? That's how I felt after watching this movie, which is fitting because that's basically its premise. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" may not be the most uplifting love story ever made, but its connection to Valentine’s Day alone makes it deserving of a spot on this list. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet portray an extremely passionate, unique kind of love that fights to stay alive. The film emphasizes love as a force that pushes you to feel every emotion, while also reminding you that it’s a gift to feel anything at all. I would avoid this one if you are going through a breakup or on the verge of getting back with an ex. 

“Galentine’s Day” episode (2010) from "Parks and Recreation"

The term “Galentine’s Day” is commonly used nowadays, but it’s only been around since Leslie Knope first uttered the words in 2010. It’s an equally important holiday to Valentine’s Day, except the "Parks and Recreation" holiday emphasizes a day to show love to your friends. The episode opens with Leslie gifting each of her closest gal-pals a bouquet of flower pens that she crocheted, a mosaic portrait of each of them and a 5,000 word essay as to why each friend is so awesome. Everyone celebrating Galentine’s Day should be upholding this standard of gift-giving that Leslie Knope created for us all.

"Casablanca" (1942)

If having “a song” with someone was made into a movie, this is it. There cannot be a list of romantic movies without including "Casablanca." The film takes place amidst the chaos of World War II, as Humphrey Bogart is forced to assist his past lover, Ingrid Bergman, and her husband to escape to America. It’s tragic, hopeful, educational and extremely romantic. It’s a film that will make you cry your eyes out and sit in silence for 10 minutes once you finish. 

“When the Doorman Is Your Main Man” episode(2019) from "Modern Love"

"Modern Love" is a TV series based on essays written about real love stories of all kinds, with each episode having a completely different cast and storyline — kind of like if "Black Mirror" was wholesome and didn’t force you into an existential crisis. “When the Doorman Is Your Main Man” is the first episode of the series. It details a platonic love story between a woman living in New York City and her doorman, who is very protective of her. I would suggest watching all of "Modern Love" if you have the time.

"Valentine’s Day" (2010)

The holiday’s title film must be appreciated on its special day. I know some people have a vendetta against this genre of movie — with multiple overlapping storylines — but this one’s not too bad! Of course, many of the storylines are extremely cheesy, but who wouldn’t love watching a star-studded cast? It has Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, Bradley Cooper and even Taylor Swift. Just when you begin to be invested in one storyline, it switches to another. If you are in the minority of people who love these kinds of films, I would also suggest watching "Crazy, Stupid, Love." 

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com