"Romantic Films for the Lovelorn"
"5 Films for Singles Who Hate Love... But Still Want Love"

These romantic films will satisfy you, whether you’re home alone on Valentine’s Day or just feeling like you need a good cry with the television and some take-out on a Saturday night.

Whether you’re feeling jaded or angry or hopeful and excited about the future, take an evening alone with yourself to indulge in some mindless fun, delicious eye candy, and the reality that, no matter how good or bad these movies make relationships look, real life is better. And you’re living it.

You’ve Got Mail
If you’re in a love-hate relationship with romance movies… This is serious proof that the movies don’t get it right even when they’re really trying hard to get it right. It may seem all lovey-dovey and romantic, but Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are both essentially cheating on their significant others over the Internet. Sure, their break-ups are shown as easy, even inevitable, but that doesn’t deny the fact that these two were having a serious emotional affair on the side. Feel better now?

If you’re looking for a romantic film… You’ll have faith that love is out there for you and it will find you when the time is right. This is Tom Hanks at his most charming and dashing! It’s Meg Ryan before lip injections! They both love books. She loves daisies. He loves his dog. Acquaintances become enemies, enemies become friends, friends become two people in love. Sigh.

Twilight
If you’re in a love-hate relationship with romance movies… You’ll be unable to stifle a chuckle at the occasionally cheesy dialog and implausible theme. The vampire hype is at its pinnacle in this tween-teen flick that has moms drooling and people ending relationships because they want their man to be more like a fictional vampire. The best part? Ultimate proof that the perfect man does not exist – he’s dead.

If you’re looking for a romantic film… You’ll believe that there are still men (vampires) out there who will open your door, make sure you get something good to eat, save you from creeps, and protect you at the risk of his own life (er, death). Edward Cullen is love, lust, chivalry, hotness, and coldness all wrapped into one beautiful immortal. We say, watch the movie, then go read the book in the bathtub and let Calgon and Cullen take you away.

Bridget Jones’s Diary
If you’re in a love-hate relationship with romance movies… You’ll feel that certain characters get their due in this flick. The lousy, cheating, no-good His Sexiness Daniel Cleaver gets a walloping from Mark “Wanker” Darcy. Even though “smug married couples” try to make Bridget answer for the entire single population of Britain, all you can think is, “Thank God I’m not one of those smug married couples who are practically clones of each other.” Single isn’t so bad sometimes, eh?

If you’re looking for a romantic film… The few extra pounds you’re carrying, the verbal diarrhea, the drunken wish-I-could-take-it-back-moments… none of them matter when you learn to love yourself. Such personal acceptance and take-control-of-your-life decisions for Bridget Jones led to one of the best lines in the history of romantic films: “I like you very much. Just as you are.” It’s Fitzwilliam Darcy reincarnated in uptight legal brain Mark Darcy (and we don’ think his sideburns are too long). Natural woman, embrace your flaws and Prince Charming will come along quite rightly.

Say Anything…
If you’re in a love-hate relationship with romance movies… Go back to the days of high school, when love was even more impossible and heartwrenching and confusing than it is now. Parents butted in and friends offered not-so-sage advice. People dumped you for no reason or judged you for even less. Aren’t you glad you’re a grown-up?

If you’re looking for a romantic film… Lloyd Dobbler is a real-life, nice guy. The genuine article. He is devoted to his girl. And he wasn’t afraid to go after her, no matter what other people thought and no matter what she thought of him. Because, “I’m Lloyd Dobbler.” Right on. This guy knew he was great and worthwhile and he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Gives you hope that the right man for you will fight for you when it matters… and be so overcome with emotion after sex that he’s shaking. Keeper.

Titanic
If you’re in a love-hate relationship with romance movies… The ship sinks, and love right along with it. That in itself should satisfy whatever part of you is hating love at the moment. But if that’s not enough, there’s an unsatisfying engagement to the wrong man, a meddling and bossy mother, and the feeling that you’re doomed to a life that you never wanted. Be happy it’s no longer 1912. While Rose Dewitt Bukater’s choice to run off with Jack Dawson was a scandal and a half turned into romance personified, in today’s world it’s just called cheating on your fiancé.

If you’re looking for a romantic film… Opposites attract. If nothing else, this blockbuster can remind you of the value of keeping your eyes open for love, even in the most unexpected of places. Romantic film or not, never forget that the little things are infinitely important in a relationship as well – they mean the world to these star-crossed lovers on the doomed ship of dreams. A sexy sketching session, a passionate moment in someone else’s backseat, even a spitting lesson off the deck of the ship… it all adds up to a very sweet love. You can have that too. Embrace who you are, live the life you want, and love will find its way in.

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