V-Day blues

So what if you’ve been skipped by Cupid’s arrow ‘-‘- who says February 14 has to be all about heart pounding, love-at-first-sight, mushiness anyway? After all, romantic love isn’t the only form of human affection. This Saturday, I dare you to reject the stereotypical, cookie-cutter V-Day films and celebrate some alternative forms of love on your couch with some popcorn and my anti-Valentine movie list.

First, for something slightly off-beat, check out ‘Crimes and Misdemeanors’ (1989). Starring and written/directed by Woody Allen, this film’s got a little bit of everything: an unusual plot line, pointed dialogue and strange moral implications. Allen plays Cliff Stern, a struggling director who attempts to win over the lovely Halley Reed (Mia Farrow) while coming to terms with his failing marriage and career.’ The audience simultaneously learns of Judah Rosenthal (Martin Landau), a brilliantly successful ophthalmologist, who is willing to go to any lengths to see that his mistress (Anjelica Huston) doesn’t come forward and publicly reveal the secrets of their sordid affair. The two men meet each other only briefly in the philosophically chilling final scene. Peppered with powerful performances, Crimes and Misdemeanors is a funny yet bitter tale of unrequited love.

‘The Piano’ (1994) is also worth a watch. Set in the 1850s, it’s a dark tale of Ada (Holly Hunter), a deaf/mute woman who is forced to marry a prominent businessman from New Zealand. Shipped halfway around the world, she brings only her daughter Flora (played by a young Anna Paquin, who won an Oscar for the role) and her piano. Her new husband sells the piano upon her arrival and Ada must find a way to retrieve her beloved instrument ‘-‘- her only means of expressing herself. The cinematography of the film is excellent and New Zealand’s landscape emerges as one of the main characters. Watching the movie is almost like taking a visual vacation and is a nice reprieve from the snow-covered pavement of Commonwealth Avenue.

These movies should be watched with a group of friends as both films lend themselves to a plethora of philosophical and moral conversations. While ‘Crimes and Misdemeanors’ and ‘The Piano’ may not fill your heart with Valentine’s Day cheer, they certainly will leave you with plenty to think about.

Should you find yourself coupled up this Valentine’s Day, but can’t bear the thought of watching a cheesy love story, ‘Annie Hall’ (1977) could prove an unusual choice. Another Woody Allen film, ‘Annie Hall’ is considered by many critics to be Allen’s best picture. The film centers on the neurotic Alvy Singer (Allen) and his relationship with his equally anxious girlfriend Annie (Diane Keaton). The movie details the ins and outs of their romance, moving seamlessly between scenes from past and present. Allen serves as the narrator, allowing the viewer an omniscient look at his relationship with Annie. The film is extremely funny and anything but a typical love story.

Atypical and conceptually stimulating, these movies are all grounded in reality.’ They depict the messy, gritty, and sometimes humorous implications of human relationships. No matter what your romantic situation is come February 14th, these movies all put a different spin on the notoriously cheesy holiday and are definitely worth the watch.