It’s that time of the year when you feel love all around you.
F.e.
It’s that time of the year when you feel love all around you. We have compiled some best love stories of 2015; watch them on DVD with your partner and make your Valentine’s more enjoyable...
The Danish Girl
Adapted from the novel by David Ebershoff, ‘The Danish Girl’ is a remarkable love story. The film, which is based loosely on the real lives of the Einar and Gerda, is set in the late 1920s. Einar is a popular Copenhagen landscape artist, while Gerda is a painter who is less recognized. There is no jealousy in the marriage - indeed, the two are quite devoted. Einar has suppressed his feminine side for many years. After an experience wearing women’s clothing motivates him to reveal more about his femininity, he takes on the identity of Lili Elbe. At first, he is Lili only in secret, but then he takes Lili into the real world, where she flirts, has crushes and experiences life as a woman. Eddie Redmayne’s performance as Einar Wegener, ‘The Danish Girl’, is revealing, heartbreaking and believable. Director Tom Hooper gives us scenes with texture, lighting and colours that stir our senses while Einar transforms into Lili. Arguably the film’s most intriguing character, Gerda is a rock to her husband even when her own world is crumbling. It’s the incredible love that moves this story; but it’s the history that brings out the awe moments in the film.
Cinderella
Disney hasn’t lost any of its old-fashioned magic; Kenneth Branagh’s remake of ‘Cinderella’ is a sumptuous, magical delight. Inspired by the love story as old as time that is Cinderella, Lily James is cast as Ella. The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters. Sir Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Cinderella may not add anything new to the beloved tale, but with an excellent cast and an elegant sense of style, it makes for a magical and quite charming version of the story that all ages can enjoy.
Age of Adaline
‘Age of Adaline’ presents an extremely engaging and effective love story. After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.
Directed by Lee Toland, the film is as much a rumination on love and aging as it is a to-die-for fashion show featuring costumes and hairstyles.
Man Up
Directed by Ben Palmer, with a script by Tess Morris, this seriocomic feature is a sweet yet bitter tale of finding romance. And one of the most refreshing things about it is that the main characters have lived a life - Lake Bell and Simon Pegg - the two are exceptionally good at being funny. The film is about a 34-year-old single woman (Bell) exhausted by the endless fruitless set ups by her friends, who’s mistaken for a stranger’s (Pegg) blind date on a trip to her parents. This is an adult relationship that is mature, yet sparkling with laughs throughout. ‘Man Up’ is that rare romance fueled comedy that will ably entertain both men and women.
Far From The Madding Crowd
Based on the 1874 Thomas Hardy novel, which The Guardian calls one of the ten greatest love stories, ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’ memorably adapted by John Schlesinger into a 1967 film starring Julie Christie, gets an enjoyable new version starring Carey Mulligan as Hardy’s tough but romantically muddled heroine, Bathsheba Everdene.
‘Far From The Madding Crowd’ is the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor. This timeless story of Bathsheba’s choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love - as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance. It’s a good bit of romantic escapism with lovely visuals. Director Thomas Vinterberg brilliantly captures the atmospherics and tone of the novel, without seeming dated.
The Last Five Years
In this adaptation of the hit musical, The ‘Last Five Years’ is a musical deconstruction of a love affair and a marriage taking place over a five year period. ‘The Last Five Years’ explores a couple’s relationship; starting with their separation, and then going back to its beginning, showing how it grew and then fell apart. Jamie (Jordan), a young, talented up-and-coming Jewish novelist falls in love with Cathy (Kendrick), a Shiksa Goddess and struggling actress. The storytelling employs some interesting techniques that are quite effective; especially the transitions between time periods.
The Longest Ride
Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, ‘The Longest Ride’ centres on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City’s art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, ‘The Longest Ride’ explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love.
