10 Films That Don’t Bullshit the Reality That Is ‘Love’
1. Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012)
Synopsis
Celeste (Rashida Jones) & Jesse (Andy Samberg) are a recently separated couple who are in fact closer than ever, spending every waking moment together, engaging in stupid inside jokes, while also technically still living together, Celeste in their house, Jesse in their shed, which doubles as his art studio. The couple is hit with the harsh realization that things won’t get any easier if they continue their odd-lovey-dovey friendship & refuse to move on. Things take a crazy spin when the couple finally separates, due to Jesse attempting to have a relationship & expedited green-card marriage to a woman (Rebecca Dayan) whom he’d unknowingly impregnated three months prior to moving out, so she can receive her American citizenship. We’re then left to watch the messiness between the two as Celeste is left to navigate the unfamiliarity of dating after six years of marriage, procrastinate signing the divorce papers, manage an accidental marketing scandal with her business partner (Elijah Wood) involving her pop-star client, Riley Banks (Emma Roberts), for whom she created an accidentally controversial branding logo & the heartbreak of wondering why Jesse never matured into the better version of himself during their marriage, that he’s quickly becoming for someone else.
What To Look Forward To
Stellar casting, with Andy Samberg as you’ve never seen him. Jones & Samberg jokingly simulating masturbation acts on a tube of lip balm & later, a baby carrot. Los Angeles captured through a lens of love. The best soundtrack you’ve ever heard.
Why It Hits Home
You’ll find yourself rooting so hard for two greatly misunderstood people to be together, while knowing even if they don’t end up together, they’ll always be in each other’s lives & in that, there’s still comfort.
2. Like Crazy (2011)
Synopsis
Anna (Felicity Jones), a London native & Jacob (Anton Yelchin), an American citizen, attend college together in Los Angeles. The pair become infatuated with each other, eventually falling deeply in love. The two become enthralled in a romance unlike either has ever experienced, which comes to an abrupt halt when Anna violates the terms of her student visa & has to return home to London. The couple finds out first hand just how challenging a long distance relationship is, battling time zones, loneliness, depression & faithfulness. Through multiple short-spanned visits to each other, intense arguments & breaks in the relationship, one even resulting in Anna being temporarily engaged to another man, the two always find comfort in returning to each other, each time their connection more strained. Though, after a little over a year of struggling to find their way back to each other, they reunite, the audience is left wondering if there’s any foundation left for the two to stand & build upon together.
What To Look Forward To
The underlying grace & elegance Felicity Jones brings to each of her roles. The innocent charm Anton Yelchin brings to each character he portrays. A small cameo from Jennifer Lawrence as a short-lived flame of Yelchin’s character, Jacob.
Why It Hits Home
Never has the realism of the toll distance can play on a relationship been so accurately portrayed since Nicholas Sparks’s The Notebook (2004). Even with the couple uniting in the end as you’d wished, you’ll be left wondering why you feel empty.
3. Moonlight (2016)
Synopsis
A three-chapter journey chronicling the transition of Chiron “Black” from childhood (Alex Hibbert), through teenage trials (Ashton Sanders) & finally adulthood (Trevante Rhodes). Chiron navigates growing up in an abusive household to a single mother, who struggles with drugs & possibly prostitution, as well as an abusive peer-group, often on the receiving end of bullying due to suspected homosexuality. Chiron, while generally a private & quiet individual, finds solace & refuge in his friendship with school-pal, Kevin (Jaden Piner) & concerned neighbors, Juan (Mahershala Ali) & Teresa (Janelle Monae), who care for him & help mold him into a man. Once grown Chiron, whose relocated & re-branded his entire identity under the street name “Black”, finds himself indulging in street traditions, such as selling drugs & managing other foot soldiers. Still questioning his true identity, Chiron “Black” feels he can only confirm & come to terms with whom he feels he’s meant to be by re-visiting his friend, Kevin (Andre Holland), who last made him feel more himself than ever before during a brief sexual encounter, before his departure.
What To Look Forward To
Brilliant casting & impressively passionate acting by relatively unknown child stars. Portrayals mirroring real life whispered stories of homosexuality & depression in regards to males in the African American community. An amazing chopped & screwed rendition of Jidenna’s “Classic Man” & an overall beautifully curated soundtrack.
Why It Hits Home
You’ll see the importance of strong & nurturing parental figures in a child’s life, true friendship & acceptance of self. Finally so many people of colors’ stories told & de-stigmatized. A time-appropriate message to everyone that love is love.
4. Blue Valentine (2010)
Synopsis
Cindy (Michelle Williams) & Dean (Ryan Gosling) were once young, spontaneous & madly in love, despite the disapproval of her parents & much to the anger of her ex-boyfriend (Mike Vogel). Now, married & raising a child, the two have fallen into the monotony of adulthood & responsibility. With all passion seemingly lost, the couple soon realize that child aside, all the things they once loved about the other now falls short of the things they desire in a partner. The couple struggles to rekindle the flames of love & spontaneity of their youth through small revisited acts, un-passionate sex & a contentious getaway. They’re eventually left to face the fact that everything that glitters eventually fades beyond the point of restoration, even if a child is the last bonding factor.
What To Look Forward To
The most raw performance you’ve ever witnessed from Gosling & Williams. Gosling’s character with a heartbreakingly hilarious balding cap. A film score composed entirely by Grizzly Bear, the song “You & Me” revived from the dusty unreleased depths of a forgotten band called Penny & The Quarters, as well as an entirely improvised scene of Ryan Gosling crooning his take on “You Always Hurt the One You Love” with a ukulele, while Michelle Williams adorably tap dances.
Why It Hits Home
You’ll never root so hard for two people to end up together, yet completely understand why it’s not necessarily the healthiest thing for either party, despite the child that ends up collateral.
5. Sleeping With Other People (2015)
Synopsis
After a one night stand in college, in which Jake (Jason Sudeikis) & Lainey (Alison Brie) lose their virginity to each other, after her failed attempt at a hookup with Matthew (Adam Scott), a student getting his Doctorate, the two reconnect years later, lost & broken. Both parties struggle with the ins & outs of a modern relationship & maintain a closed friendship that resembles something of a perfect relationship, while in denial. Jake often ignores his self worth & suppresses his craving for Lainey by sleeping with random women each night, as Lainey allows herself to be emotionally abused by, now, Dr. Matthew Sobvechik, who’s married with a child. The two move on & have lives they’re both seemingly content with, though their hearts still long for each other. They know what’s necessary to be together, but will they or won’t they?
What To Look Forward To
Brie & Sudeikis playing off of each other’s witty, sexual, flirtatious banter in hilarious casualty. Good-guy, Adam Scott, playing the biggest dickhead role you’ve ever witnessed him take on. Amazingly charming & funny scenes with supporting cast members Amanda Peet, Natasha Lyonne & Jason Mantoukas.
Why It Hits Home
This film directly confronts the secret scenario we’ve all imagined with a close friend at least once, but never dared to take on, risking your entire friendship by not only giving into that yearning gut feeling, revealing your true feelings, but acting on them & attempting a relationship.
6. Drinking Buddies (2013)
Synopsis
Though in mutually exclusive relationships, co-workers Kate (Olivia Wilde) & Luke (Jake Johnson) spend most of their days with each other, managing a brewery by day & frequenting bars at night, bonding over beer. After a camping trip with each other, Kate’s spouse, Chris (Ron Livingston) & Luke’s spouse (Anna Kendrick) in attendance, their feelings come to a head when each of their relationships becomes a bit rocky & uncertain. Though the two make things work with their respective partners, we’re left wondering if their friendship & marriages will ever be the same, let alone survive.
What To Look Forward To
A hip, fun film portraying breweries & bars similar to something you’re certain to find in your town, should you be in-the-know. A script so enticing, yet informal, you’d swear there wasn’t one.
Why It Hits Home
The casual, all-too-real awkwardness that can ensue when navigating a friendship with someone of the opposite sex, while in a committed relationship is the most unsettled you’ll feel in a long time.
7. Long Nights, Short Mornings (2016)
Synopsis
James (Shiloh Fernandez) finds difficulty in navigating & maintaining genuine relationships with women, while experiencing a wild series of flings in New York City with multiple flames, some old, some new.
What To Look Forward To
Gorgeous cinematography of NYC. The frustration of witnessing the poor treatment of women & one’s self from a lead character with serious mommy-issues. Lots of beautiful women, presenting themselves as the objects of James’s infatuation throughout the film.
Why It Hits Home
You’ll feel equal parts frustrated, confused & sorry for the main character, even though the majority of his hardships & heartache are direct results of his poor decisions & reluctance to give up his womanizing ways.
8. Operator (2016)
Synopsis
Emily (Mae Whitman), an improv comedian & Joe (Martin Starr), a tech programmer, have a seemingly happy marriage that begins to suffer due to each partner finding more use for the other to further their work projects (hers, a comedy routine, his, her likeness & voice for a new operating system), than that of actual companionship. After falling madly in love & dependent on the likeness of his own wife in a digital space, while neglecting her presence in the space of reality, Joe is left to decide which space is worth having her in, while losing the other forever.
What To Look Forward To
Whitman’s super-likable personality taking on a life of it’s own via an operating system. Starr’s charmingly awkward persona working to its full potential in a role tailored for him & no one else. Cringing at Starr’s character, Joe, masturbating to the digital rendition of his wife’s voice on a mobile device.
Why It Hits Home
This film brings a classic worry of lots of relationships front & center, do we enjoy & love our partner or the idea of them? Experience this sentiment being played out in a way in which you’ve yet to experience.
9. Literally, Right Before Aaron (2017)
Synopsis
Adam (Justin Long) spends a great amount of time attempting to convince friends, family & acquaintances that he’s self-content & happy for his ex-girlfriend, Allison (Cobie Smulders), whose re-entered his life, inviting him to her wedding. Adam goes through each stage of grief, while embodying the persona of a sad clown. Once at the wedding Adam begins to emotionally deteriorate as he sees the life he once dreamed of with his ex become reality for another man. Will he celebrate her newfound union & happiness or burn everything to the ground, if he can’t have it, himself?
What To Look Forward To
Justin Long’s loosey-goosey approach to acting finally working to his benefit in a role that compliments his natural characteristics. Smulders reprising a role very reminiscent of her character, Robin, on How I Met Your Mother, casually breaking the heart of one, while capturing the heart of another. Get ready to witness the most beautiful meltdown of human emotion & sanity you’ve ever witnessed.
Why It Hits Home
We’ve all dealt with the issue in this film to some extent, letting go something we believe is rightfully ours & having to live with the reality that it may never be in the cards for us again.
10. What If? (2013)
Synopsis
What If? (Alternatively titled The F Word in select other countries) documents the difficulty a heartbroken med-school dropout, Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), has withholding his true feelings for his newfound, already engaged, graphic designer friend, Chantry (Zoe Kazan), whom he meets unexpectedly at best friend Allan’s (Adam Driver) house party one lonesome night. With emotions running high & attraction getting stronger, find out if Chantry will return to Wallace after retreating into the familiarity & monotony of a passionless engagement to her often absent fiancée, Ben (Rafe Spall).
What To Look Forward To
Radcliffe in his most endearing role since the Harry Potter films. Animation & live-action occasionally intertwining in a visually magical manner. Adam Driver being Adam Driver (hilarious) & passing it off as “acting”. A magical sandwich called Fool’s Gold.
Why It Hits Home
The familiarity of having a friend you truly care for deeply & seeing them with someone who doesn’t value them for everything they bring to the table will break your heart all over again.
BONUS SELECTION
(500) Days of Summer
Synopsis
Told over the span of 500 days, as the title suggests, the journey we embark on with Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a wild one, as it’s told in a non-linear format. Tom, a greeting card writer, goes into a deep depression when his not-girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Dechanel) breaks up with him unexpectedly. Tom recounts his perceived highlights of the relationship to his best friend, Paul (Matthew Gray Gubler) & little sister, Rachel (Chloe Grace Moretz), who challenge his take on the courtship & help him accept his new reality. Get ready to go on an emotional roller coaster, with twists, turns, loops & the biggest drop you’d never expect.
What To Look Forward To
The film features an amazingly talented & engaging cast, a killer soundtrack that features The Smiths & opens the film with a pleasantly haunting song, “Us” by Regina Spektor. Gordon puts on the performance of a lifetime when performing an impromptu performance of “You Make My Dreams” by Darryl Hall & John Oates, accompanied by background dancers & an animated companion. Witness Dechanel & Levitt make playfully exploring an IKEA, look as if it’s the new Chuck E. Cheese for adults. Find out what The Penis Game is. Lastly, you’ll see the coolest, most soul-crushing side-by-side scene, entitled “Expectation VS Reality”, that’ll fuck you up for life.
Why It Hits Home
Viewers find themselves immediately empathetic towards Tom & just as confused & frustrated at the abrupt end to his not-relationship with Summer. Not only does this film shine a harshly bright light on how our own perceptions can overrule what’s actually reality, we also end up facing the questions we’ve all wondered about an ex we loved dearly, “Why did they change for the better for that person? Why wasn’t I worth changing & staying for?”
STORY BY: Trevor Thompson (@interwebTREV)
