This Valentine’s Day let’s treat ourselves to a romance or romantic comedy that has much to offer us: the female audience. Instead of settling for regressive narratives packaged as great love stories, let’s indulge in a truly enjoyable movie, preferably with a huge bowl of popcorn and a box of chocolates.

Streaming platforms still haven’t quite got their Valentine’s Day Collections sorted out—as far as female viewers concerned. For instance, the Disney channel’s collection includes these dubious suggestions, to name just a couple: Pretty Woman (1990) and Beauty and the Beast (2017).

Pretty Woman is the story of a poor, uneducated, unworldly American prostitute hired by a cultured millionaire businessman to be her escort for a week, over the course of which they fall in love. Not exactly progressive (the fact that it was written and directed by men isn’t insignificant). Beauty and the Beast is the story of a young woman who falls in love with the beast that sequesters her after her father steals one of his roses—also not written or directed by women.

These types of offerings leave this film analyst wondering what century we’re in. Do we really need sexual exploitation and Stockholm Syndrome on the menu in 2024?

Take heart! The romance/romantic comedy and drama genres have better offerings. Here are 11 enjoyable suggestions that include a few (and sometimes all) of the following: a female gaze, several significant female characters, affection and congeniality between females (not just the usual antagonism), exchanges between women about things besides men—not to mention an absence of violence against women and girls and hypersexualization of the female characters.

1. Little Women (2019): If you can handle a Christmas movie in February you will be rewarded with a feast from director Greta Gerwig. The female protagonist is strong and assertive, it boasts several significant female characters, as well as congeniality, affection and supportiveness between women and females speak throughout. It also offers a female gaze, close relationships between sisters, a critical look at sexism and more.
2. Last Christmas (2019): Another Christmas movie, true, but it has so much to offer, including a female gaze, affection, congeniality and many exchanges between women, an unconventional ending and more. Emma Thompson co-wrote it, which is practically a guarantee of excellent screenwriting.
3. Austenland (2013): Affection, congeniality and exchanges between the female characters, disapproval of women’s so-called ‘expiry date’… and men’s blameworthy behaviour towards women is portrayed disapprovingly. Written and directed by Jerusha Hess (co-writer: Shannon Hale).
4. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011): In spite of the lack of female involvement in the writing and directing, we get narration by a woman, several elderly female protagonists—still too rare in mainstream movies—assertive women, many exchanges between the female characters and more.
5. Bewitched (2005): Despite Will Ferrell playing the lead male—usually a deal breaker for me—it is entertaining. It includes a female gaze, women spending time together, a disapproving look at men who silence women in show business, etc. Writer-director Nora Ephron gives us lots to laugh at (co-written with her sister, Delia Ephron).
6. Pride & Prejudice (2005): Deborah Moggach wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved story. We get a female perspective, 10 significant female characters, as well as loving relationships, congeniality, solidarity and numerous exchanges between women. Trust Austen to get it right!
7. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002): Lots of strong, assertive women, congeniality and affection between women, a good mother/daughter relationship and more (like challenging sexist stereotypes). Written by Canadian filmmaker Nia Vardalos.
8. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999): Although a story about teenagers, it is still enjoyable. It offers a female gaze and a smart, articulate, assertive lead female. Also, a freethinking female is portrayed approvingly (very rare in film). Written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith.
9. Sense and Sensibility (1995): Its merits include a female perspective; eight significant female characters; solidarity, numerous exchanges and loving, affectionate relationships between females; and congenial mother/daughter relationships and relationships between sisters. Screenplay by Emma Thompson (based on another of Austen’s excellent novels).
10. Sleepless in Seattle (1993): This Nora Ephron co-written and directed production includes a loving friendship between two women, women spending time together, focus on what women look for in men and more. The true friendship between Meg Ryan and Rosie O’Donnell’s characters is particularly delightful.
11. Dirty Dancing (1987): Screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein gives us narration by a woman, a female perspective, as well as solidarity and exchanges between women. This film was more progressive than some of the movies coming out now.

Happy Valentine’s Day, ladies!

Alline Cormier
Film analyst

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