Stephen Arnell

Valentine’s films: from the romantic to the surreal

  • From Spectator Life
Before Midnight (Image: Shutterstock)

The first Valentine’s Day under lockdown looks set to prove the truth of Shakespeare’s oft quoted proverb: ‘the course of true love never did run smooth’.

New love is nigh on impossible when couples are forbidden to meet, making technology the next best thing – in terms of communication, that is.

An unusual Valentine’s Day surely calls for an offbeat film choice. The oddball romance is an established staple in film. Here are some worth relishing on the 14th February:

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017) – Amazon Prime & Amazon Prime Rent/Buy

Annette Bening and Jamie Bell shine in this semi-fictionalised take on the fading years of idiosyncratic Hollywood star Gloria Grahame (The Big Heat, The Bad & The Beautiful) who met the much younger wannabe actor Peter Turner when she’s reduced to living in a down-at-heel boarding house whilst performing on the London stage. 

The couple formed a loving and mutually supportive bond until Grahame’s sad death from breast cancer in 1981. Grahame

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in