◆ Trending: Five of the best alternative romance films to watch for Valentine’s Day
Love isn’t about fluffy bunnies and cute quotes – it is about passion, fire and chemistry between people as these five alternative romantic films prove.
Silence Of The Lambs – “But he is a cannibal,” I hear you scream – however, did you know this Oscar-winning film was released on February 14? It also follows the perfect romantic routine of boy meets girls, get to know each other on levels they never have with anyone else before and become a little bit obsessed with each other? Lars And The Real Girl – Ryan Gosling itakes on the role of Lars Lindstrom, an awkward shy young man who develops the delusion that he is dating a wheelchair-bound woman from South America, though she is actually a sex doll from the website ‘Real Girls’. With his delusion in full swing, the community gathers around to support him and his family and the film is surprisingly heart-breaking in its own little way.
Mandy – What is more romantic than Nic Cage going on a drug-fuelled rampage with a chainsaw and an axe against a religious cult that has kidnapped you? Exactly. Mandy is a true masterpiece with a love story at its centre.
Despite its backdrop of 1980s prog rock and violence Mandy couldn’t be more of a romantic film if it tried.
The Lobster – Imagine a world where singletons were forced to find a lover within 45 days of being single or they are turned into an animal of their choice? Sounds chaotic and terrifying but The Lobster brings home the reality that sometimes it is better to feel love than to force it. Hilarious and sad, Colin Farrell is electric in this superb drama comedy.
Natural Born Killers – When lovers Mickey and Mallory are tortured by an extremely violent childhood, they use their undeniable bond to take revenge on those who have wronged them as their a murderous rampage turns them into overnight celebrities. Aw, young love.