Ah, it’s that time of year again: love is forcibly in the air, being shoved down your throat whether you like it or not! Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or an all-time skeptic, Valentine’s Day may or may not speak to you personally.
Although the standard rom-com might nauseate the unperturbed, there are plenty of flicks filled with romance that look beyond all of the cheesiness. Lost in a sea of monotonous fantasies that will make anyone’s eyes roll, here’s a list of ten unconventional, tongue-in-cheek rom-coms for the quintessential cynic.
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Lifelong pals Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) grew up next door to each other in the city of San Francisco, and everyone around them believed they would end up together. Sasha would spend many nights at Marcus’, learning to cook from his mother, who suddenly passes away during their teenage years. After the two get closer than ever and wind up having sex in the back of Marcus’ car, their connection gets permanently severed when a fight breaks out about attending college.
Until now- Sasha, who became a wildly successful chef in Los Angeles, returns to San Francisco after fifteen years of not speaking to Marcus, now engaged to restauranteur Brandon (Daniel Dae Kim). When Brandon’s new job opportunity breaks apart the newly betrothed couple, Marcus might finally have his opportunity to win back the love of his life. Always Be My Maybe is available on Netflix.
Plus One (2019)
Starring Maya Erskine (PEN15), Jack Quaid (The Hunger Games), and Ed Begley Jr. (Arrested Development), this romantic comedy delivers a fresh, unique voice that makes this film stand apart from the typical, humdrum rom-com you’ll immediately forget. Being single and almost thirty, longtime platonic friends Jack (Quaid) and Alice (Erskine) commiserate in their woes over all of their friends getting married and agree to be each other’s plus one at each of the weddings they’ve been invited to.
Plus One pokes fun at the different aspects of a wedding, especially the toasts. Though it’s packed with sweet moments, this film is much more “comedy” than “romance.” Maya Erskine is a clever up-and-coming Japanese-American actress/comedian that deserves recognition for her comedic expertise. Plus One is currently available on Hulu.
Isn’t It Romantic (2019)
This flick is the ultimate middle finger to the mainstream romantic comedy. It begins with Natalie (Rebel Wilson) watching Pretty Woman as a young girl, dreaming of being swept off her feet. When her mother slaughters any hope at romantic notions, declaring that fairytale endings in the movies aren’t for women like them, Natalie’s pessimistic attitude on love begins. Now a 30-something businesswoman in New York City, Natalie inadvertently finds herself amid a romantic comedy after hitting her head.
After being forced to go through the typical motions of a rom-com in her alternate reality, Natalie finds herself succumbing to the romantic sentiments she once shunned. Also starring Liam Hemsworth, Isn’t It Romantic is available through HBO.
(500) Days Of Summer (2009)
Though this eccentric rom-com is more tragic than the other films on the list, the main character Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is a self-described cynic who doesn’t believe in love, so it deserves a mention. The tagline for the movie is, after all: “Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn’t.” Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a masterful job playing Tom, a hopeful romantic who falls in love at first sight when he sees Summer.
(500) Days of Summer features a collection of adorable scenes between Tom and Summer, including their trip to Ikea and a musical dance number to “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
A new-age adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Schrew, this movie is perfect for the love-cynics! After Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) transfers schools and falls for his study partner, popular junior Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik), he finds out that her strict father won’t let her date anyone until her ill-tempered senior sister Kat (Julia Stiles) does the same.
Under the impression punk-rocker Kat won’t be dating anytime soon, Cameron pays his classmate, bad-boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), to charm this headstrong sister. With a star-studded cast, 10 Things I Hate About You presents an unconventional type of romantic comedy through this endearing Shakespearean tale.
Long Shot (2019)
Free-spirited journalist Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) reunites with his old babysitter and childhood crush Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), considered to be one of the most influential women in the world. Hoping to run for President, Charlotte impulsively hires Fred to be her speechwriter, regardless of her trusty advisors urging otherwise.
Charmed by his self-depreciation and humorous attitude, Charlotte finds herself falling for Fred. Long Shot is available through HBO.
A Lot Like Love (2005)
Starring Ashton Kutcher, Amanda Peet, and Taryn Manning, A Lot Like Love delivers a realistic, poignant story of two lovers who meet on a flight to NYC, joining the mile-high club on their way. Bad girl Emily Friehl (Peet) and straight-laced Oliver Martin (Kutcher) decide they’re too different from each other to commit to a relationship, but find themselves crossing paths over several years.
With a great soundtrack and some funny Ashton Kutcher moments, A Lot Like Love is perfect for the non-believers.
50 First Dates (2004)
After making a splash with their undeniable chemistry in The Wedding Singer, Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler reunite in 50 First Dates, a rom-com with a very unique plot twist. Non-commital sea-life trainer Henry Roth (Sandler) relishes in his laidback Hawaiian lifestyle with island folk like his friend Ula (Rob Schneider). When Henry suddenly meets Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore), he begins to rethink his lifestyle, falling for her hard.
When he returns to the local diner for their second date, Henry is puzzled when Lucy fails to recognize him. After being tipped off from the diner employees, Henry realizes Lucy suffers from short term memory loss, unable to recount the previous day. With the help of her overprotective father Marlin (Blake Clark) and nitwit brother Doug (Sean Astin), Henry prepares to make Lucy fall in love with him all over again, day after day!
She’s The Man (2006)
One of Channing Tatum’s first roles, She’s The Man promises to bring you lots of laughter. In a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, funny girl Amanda Bynes plays Viola Hastings, a Cornwall student disconcerted with the recent cut of the girl’s soccer team, her pride and joy. Pissed at her misogynistic boyfriend, Viola decides to join the boy’s soccer team, under the disguise of her twin brother, Sebastian (James Kirk).
After Viola barely makes the team, the hot MVP Duke (Tatum) begins coaching her, unaware of the woman beneath the men’s soccer uniform. It’s the classic tale: Viola ends up falling for Duke, then the real Sebastian returns from boarding school to ruin Viola’s ruse, and Duke feels betrayed by Viola’s deception. She’s The Man is perfect for those who love comedic sticky situations.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
Based on the book with the same title, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was directed and written by the original author, Stephen Chbosky, failing to disappoint. This coming-of-age story surrounds high-school freshman Charlie (Logan Lerman) who becomes enamored by two seniors, Patrick (Ezra Miller) and his stepsister Sam (Emma Watson), after they take Charlie under their wings, showing him the ropes of late adolescence.
Coming off the heels of his best friend’s suicide, Charlie thrives for the first time in quite a while, finding himself falling in love with Sam. The Perks of Being a Wallflower also stars Paul Rudd, Nina Dobrev, and Dylan McDermott, and provides an atypical feel-good plot that’s sure to bring you warm fuzzies.
