Staff Picks: Valentines Day Edition
Hello Independent Readers! It’s Valentine’s Day, and we here at the Independent have been feeling romantic! So in the spirit of the holiday, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite pieces of art that embody the independent spirit and are worth checking out.
Editor-In-Chief Hannah Hughes’ pick: “When Harry Met Sally,” dir. Rob Reiner
“When Harry Met Sally” breaks its own rules, in the best way. With the story serving as a character study mixed with a romantic comedy, Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s performances draw you in. Coupled with the jazzy score and stunning autumnal visuals, “When Harry Met Sally” is the coziest of Valentine’s Day watches, and an undeniable classic.
Staff Photographer and Writer Sandra Sheedy’s Pick: “Just Go With It,” dir. Dennis Dugan
“Just Go With It” is my Valentine’s Day pick! I’ve always loved Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler as a duo on and off screen. This movie is the perfect blend of slapstick, cheesy romance and a wild ride of a lie to keep up when Danny meets the supermodel of his dreams.
Managing Editor Hannah Brueske’s Pick: “D.E.B.S,” dir. Angela Robinson
D.E.B.S. is my Valentine’s Day pick. The film is a classic early 2000’s campy Action/Comedy, with the winning combination of a fun plot, amazing outfits and mediocre but endearing acting. It’s also notably ahead of its time with its lesbian enemies-to-lovers trope, as teenage crime fighter Amy (Sara Foster) jumps into a forbidden love affair with the supervillain she’s trying to capture, Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster).
Staff Writer Nate Ruttenberg’s Pick: “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg,” dir. Jacques Demy
This Jacques Demy directed romantic tragedy tells the six-year story of on-and-off lovers Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve) and Guy (Nino Castelnuovo). When the two are torn apart by Guy’s military service, their love is tested by loneliness and confusion. With entirely sung dialogue, the 1964 film crafts a beautifully devastating narrative, inspiring countless musicals to come.
Credit: The New Yorker
Staff Writer and Treasurer Casey Miller’s Pick: “The Heartbreak Kid,” dir. Elaine May
“The Heartbreak Kid” is a 1972 entry from Elaine May, following worst-guy-ever Lenny (Charles Grodin) as he experiences a lightning-in-a-bottle romance with a young woman Kelly (Cybill Shepherd) while on a honeymoon with his new wife Lila (Jeannie Berlin). It’s a film that will, aside from making you both belly laugh and hide your eyes in secondhand embarrassment, speak to your most wholesome and passionate desires for your own soul-tie kind of love.
Contributing Writer Alyssa Buford’s Pick: “Frances Ha,” dir. Noah Baumbach
My movie of choice is Noah Baumbach’s Frances Ha. The film follows a young woman (Greta Gerwig) living with her best friend (Mickey Sumner) in a big city who knows what she wants to do with her life but has trouble getting it done, while watching the other people she holds close move past the challenges she appears to be constantly facing. I chose this film because for many people, Valentine’s Day can feel isolating and can foster a sense of detachment in large areas, and Baumbach’s use of close-moving shots in the films reflects this really well.
Contributing Writer James Connolly’s Pick: “Brief Encounter” dir. David Lean
David Lean’s “Brief Encounter” follows the ill-fated romance of Laura (Celia Johnson), a suburban housewife, and Alec (Trevor Howard), a charming doctor. Coming out of 1945, the film’s surprisingly sympathetic treatment of its central characters makes for refreshing and relatable viewing. At once hilarious and heartbreaking, the tale of the two’s extramarital affair is grounded in Noël Coward’s wry and poignant screenplay and brought to life through pitch-perfect performances. “Right person, wrong time” has never been so painful in this stage-to-screen adaptation capable of making audiences cackle and cry.
Staff Editor Francisco Viana’s Pick: “Spider-Man: Blue” by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Listen. This sticks out like a sore thumb amongst a list of mostly movies, but when I think of Valentine’s Day I cannot help but think about “Spider-Man: Blue.” A retelling of classic Spider-Man stories, this miniseries follows a grieving Peter Parker on Valentine’s Day as he recounts the tale of his lost love, Gwen Stacy. Nostalgic, romantic, and perfectly melancholic, “Spider-Man: Blue” is a must-read for Spidey fans, and a constant fixture in my life.
Copy Chief Sophie Hartstein’s Pick: “Lisa Frankenstein,” dir. Zelda Williams
While not a typical romance movie by any means (and in no way a critically-acclaimed film), “Lisa Frankenstein” is the perfect violently colorful, camp-filled romp for Valentine’s Day in my humble opinion. What is more romantic than crafting your perfect partner yourself? An absolute necessity and a cult classic waiting to happen, I recommend a watchthrough for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary this Valentine’s Day!