From the moody and mysterious to the darn-right silly, here are three films about love that you and your date can curl up on the sofa to. Plus we have competition copies to give away!
Two Lovers
Two Lovers is a classical romantic drama set in the insular world of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn with an outstanding performance by Joaquin Phoenix. It’s a moody, mysterious and gritty film that explores love, romance and the potential tragedy of wanting it all – so if you are looking for an idealized Hollywood romantic drama, this definitely isn’t it!
Joaquin Phoenix stars in the film Two Lovers
Two Lovers tells the story of Leonard (played by Joaquin Phoenix), an attractive but troubled young man who moves back into his childhood home following a suicide attempt. While recovering under the watchful eye of his worried but ultimately uncomprehending parents, he encounters two women in quick succession.
There’s Michelle (played by Gwyneth Paltrow), a mysterious and beautiful neighbour who is exotic and out-of-place in Leonard’s staid Brighton Beach neighborhood, although he soon discovers that she too is deeply troubled. And then there’s Sandra (played by Vinessa Shaw), the lovely and caring daughter of the suburban businessman who’s buying out the family dry-cleaning business. His parents encourage the match, and although resistant to her appeal and his family’s pressure, Leonard gradually discovers hidden depths to Sandra.
The film follows the three as their relationships unravel, and force Leonard into making an impossible decision – between the impetuousness of desire or the comfort of love. Or he can risk everything and fall back into the darkness that nearly killed him.
Gigantic
It’s billed as ‘a love story with a difference’, and with its bizarre premise, surreal execution and lighthearted humour this film is a world away from the Two Lovers. Heat Magazine described it as a ‘a little film with a big heart’, and it was a resounding hit at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.
Gigantic starring Paul Dano and Zooey Deschanel
Brian Weathersby (played by Paul Dano) is a young, single salesman at a high-end Swedish mattress store. The afterthought child of elderly parents and the least successful of three brothers, he’s trying to find his place in the world.
Unhappy at work, Brian is searching for fulfillment in his life and decides that adopting a baby from China is the answer. Most of his days are spent in pursuit of this dream but then his life changes when the lovely but misguided Harriet Lolly (played by Zooey Deschanel) comes into his shop and falls asleep on a bed.
He becomes swept up in the romance, but there’s one thing that stands in their way, and that’s her rich, brash, loudmouth father Al Lolly (played by John Goodman). This is a charming, bizarre love story about the anxieties of falling in love with someone you’d never thought you’d fall in love with, and the baggage that comes from a crazy family.
Gigantic is available to buy on DVD from 28 September 2009.
We have three copies to give away! To win email competitions@justsingles.com with Gigantic in the subject line and your member ID, full name and postal address in the email. The first three drawn out of the hat will win! Closing date for entries is October 1st 2009. Update: Competition has finished.
Blind Dating
It’s been dubbed a ‘romantic comedy with a twist’, although it’s received mixed reviews and been criticized for mixing too many issues. But if you’re looking for some humourous light entertainment that isn’t going to strain the brain, Blind Dating could be it.
Blind Dating starring Chris Pine
With a cast of characters that includes a virginal blind man (played by Chris Pine – Star Trek’s latest incarnation of Captain Kirk), a limo driver who allows prostitutes to use his car in his downtime, and a stripping therapist (played by Jane Seymour), Blind Dating is a romantic comedy that proves that seeing isn’t always believing when you’re looking for love.
Blind twenty-something Danny (Pine) is smart, witty, handsome and intelligent, and he won’t let his lack of sight get him down. But he’s still waiting to find true love – or any kind of love.
When his girl-crazy, limo-driving brother Larry (played by Eddie Kaye Thomas) discovers that he’s a virgin, he’s determined to help him. He sets him up with a series of hysterically disastrous blind dates with shallow girls that can’t seem to get past his sight impairment.
About to give up on finding love, Danny encounters a pretty young East Indian nurse named Leeza (Anjali Jay). The two seem made for each other, but there’s one slight problem, Leeza’s been promised to another man in an arranged marriage.
Blind Dating is out on DVD from 5 October.
We have 3 copies to give away. For your chance to win, email competitions@justsingles.com with Blind Dating in the subject line, and your member ID, full name and postal address in the email. The first three drawn out of the hat will win! Closing date for entries is October 1st 2009. Update: Competition has finished.
Tags: Competition, DVDs, Films