Courting Another Kind of Rom-Com this Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re planning on spending Valentine’s Day alone or with people you love, it’s almost a national tradition to put on your favorite romantic comedy from the early 2000s to 2010s to celebrate. While these modern men serve to charm and amuse us, they still tend to lack that silent longing and pining of a romantic.

It’s true, people don’t chase like they used to — so let’s look back at a time where so much had to go unsaid, giving everything more of a thrill. It’s easy to build tension when you can’t even leave the two lovers alone in a room together due to societal standards. So, this Valentine’s Day, let’s return to a love where you yearn through letters over text and where grand proclamations of love are commonplace and not gaslighting.

Little Women (1994)

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A story more about the love of sisterhood over any man, “Little Women” is a great film for those who’d rather celebrate Galentine’s instead. While many can’t imagine a “Little Women” without Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet, the ‘94 rendition features Winona Ryder and Christian Bale in the same respective roles, but with a different entertaining interpretation.

This film feels distinctly nostalgic with that 90’s style film that always looks a little dreamy and dated adding to the vintage vibe. As each sister faces her own struggle and becomes her own person, the story feels much more like a present day tale of feminism then something from hundreds of years ago.

Pride and Prejudice

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Enemies to lovers. Angst. The hand flex. Truly, this film is for the hopeless romantics who long for a time where they could glance mysteriously at hotties from across the ball instead of the bar. If you’re a girl looking for a strong silent type, get ready to press play and fall in love with Mr. Darcy.

This is another story with four sisters, so we get four different female perspectives on love during this time. Surprisingly filled with humorous moments, “Pride and Prejudice” serves as a reminder that our sisters will always have our backs when it comes to our love lives, no matter how delusional. It also doesn’t matter whether you’re more headstrong and stubborn or gentle and reserved, the perfect man is just a waltz away.

Emma.

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If you’re a familiar fan of Wes Anderson’s films, but wished for a more feminine touch, then you’ll love the look of “Emma.” The film manages to capture a modern comedic tone of what it’s like to navigate girlhood in your early 20s, and even in the 1800s it can get messy. Starring Anya Taylor Joy and Mia Goth as charmingly odd best friends, the film features delicately beautiful, historically accurate costuming that compliment each character.

Fans have compared the modern rom-com classic “Clueless” to the classic tale “Emma.” due to both protagonists having a passion for makeovers and match making. Whether you fall in love with one of the suitors or Emma’s wardrobe, just the romantic era the film takes place during helps to set the mood.

What will your Valentine’s Day movie be this year? Let us know on X @VALLEYmag!