5 Faces of Love
Love can be expressed in many ways – with a hug, a kiss or, for the more unconventional, a bouquet of fried chicken. This Valentine's Day, we're highlighting five movies that emphasize the many faces of love including family, discovery, sacrifice, remembering and persevering.
1. FAMILY
Director: Jon M. Chu
Love looks like…family, no matter how crazy they are.
"Crazy Rich Asians" gives us a glimpse of what meeting your future in-laws could be like. When New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), travel to Singapore to attend Nick’s best friend’s wedding and meet his extended family for the first time, what could go wrong?
Based on Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same name, the movie dives into the intricacies of introducing one’s partner to immediate family members and relatives, no matter how rich or crazy they are, while taking in the food, culture, sights and sounds of Singapore.
Co-starring the hilarious Awkwafina and the unforgettable Michelle Yeoh, this is a must-watch feel-good movie with important family values that may even help in crossing cultural barriers.
2. DISCOVERY
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Love looks like…discovering who we are, what we value and how that comes to be.
As kids, Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) don’t bounce off to the right start. Next-door neighbors, they both share a love of basketball and a dream of making it to the NBA but their competitive love-hate relationship takes a turn at the end of high school. But as they pursue success as professional athletes, will their love rebound?
With sassy and honest dialogue, "Love & Basketball" takes us on an emotional journey from adolescence through adulthood uncovering the true value of the relationships we develop in life.
3. SACRIFICE
Director: Greg Berlanti
Love looks like…sacrifice and putting others before ourselves.
Two mismatched singles, Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and Eric Messner (Josh Duhamel) are set up on a disastrous first date by their mutual friends, Peter and Alison Novak (Hayes MacArthur and Christina Hendricks).
But after a tragedy occurs, and Holly and Eric are faced with the responsibility of raising the Novak's child, Sophie. As godparents, the two are forced to see things eye to eye and work together for the good of their goddaughter.
"Life As We Know It" paints a lighthearted picture of two very different people experiencing the throes and joys of unexpected parenthood, giving us perspective on life's unexpected curveballs.
4. REMEMBERING
Director: Richard LaGravenese
Love looks like…remembering the good and bad times, and sometimes, the people we have loved and lost.
"P.S. I Love You" tells the sweet story of 22-year-old Holly (Hillary Swank) as she navigates her new life without her recently deceased husband Gerry (Gerard Butler). Based on Cecilia Ahern's best-selling novel of the same name, "P.S. I Love You" balances a perfect blend of humor, love and grief as Holly's guided by a year’s worth of letters her husband left behind.
Together with her best friends, Sharon (Gina Gershon) and Denise (Lisa Kudrow), their partners, and her family, Holly learns to relive her life while remembering precious moments with Gerry. A must-see, particularly for those of us who have experienced the tragedy of losing a loved one.
5. PERSEVERING
Director: Scott Hicks
Love looks like…persevering through difficult decisions and seasons.
Based on bestselling author Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name, "The Lucky One" embodies the need to hold firm to love, despite the tragedies and heartaches that may come. While on duty in Iraq, U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Zac Efron), stumbles on a photograph of a woman (Taylor Schilling) he’s never met. Attributing her picture to saving his life, Logan walks to North Carolina on this return to the US in order to find her.
When he appears on her doorstep, she hires him to work at her family-run kennel, despite her initial mistrust and hesitation. A romance slowly develops, making her more than just a good luck charm to him. But can she fully trust his intentions?
While Logan tries to figure out why this photo carries so much meaning for him, we discover what it means to rebuild trust and persevere in love.
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Whether you're celebrating Galentine's Day, Valentine's Day or Singles Awareness Day, there's something for you this holiday. For more movies about the many faces of love, check out these other romance titles.