Expert Valentine’s Night Advice Part two
Continuing on from relationship expert Susan Quilliam advice on how to pick the perfect Valentine’s night movie, here she suggests the perfect movies, combining all of her advice, for him and for her.
You can absolutely use psychological principles in the previous guide to guide you in your Valentine’s Day film choice.
To make it even easier to make your pick, we’ve also identified our own Valentine’s Day Top Ten – five films that we practically guarantee will do it for the girls and five that will do it for the guys. If you want to lure your beloved into the bedroom this February 14th, or guarantee another date read on…
Top Five Turn-On Movies for Her:
1) The Light and Lively – Mamma Mia (2008)
The ultimate sing-along movie will raise her spirits sky-high. There are some weepie sections – such as the superb one-take tour de force where Meryl Streep sings “Winner Takes It All”. But the final scenes where every single character discovers (or rediscovers) their perfect match, are so optimistic that she’ll be throwing herself into your arms through sheer euphoria.
2) The Serious One – La Vie En Rose (2007)
Yes it’s a harrowing biopic of a tragic singer (Edith Piaf). But any woman will melt at the music, and it’s such a heart-wrenching film that she will need your comforting arm throughout. At the final scene, where a dying Piaf (Marion Cotillard) sings “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” straight to camera, prepare for gulping sobs and a need for life-affirming passion afterwards.
3) The Oscar Winner – Titanic (1997)
What girl could resist that moment when Kate Winslet leans back against Leonardo DiCaprio at the prow of the ship to the heart stirring strains of ‘My Heart Will Go On’? Add in some epic disaster scenes to get her pulse racing, the above-mentioned good looks of DiCaprio and a bitter-sweet ending and you have a film guaranteed to make your beloved a little weepy and wanting to cling.
4) The New Release – The Woman in Black (2012)
If it’s fear factor you’re after, then The Woman in Black delivers, with a genuinely creepy Victorian mansion and some disturbing half-seen spectres lurking at the edge of the frame; now you see them, now you don’t, and when you think you do it’s a perfect excuse for grabbing each other. Alternatively, let Daniel Radcliffe get her hot and bothered and ready for some action.
5) The Classic – When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Not only has this got top-flight performances, it’s got a fabulous plot and great dialogue to keep her involved, plus some laughter-inducing moments where both of you can bond (remember the fake orgasm scene in the restaurant?) The film also brilliantly presents the “should we / shouldn’t we have sex” argument between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal with the ultimate answer ‘yes we should’ – which with a bit of luck will persuade her that the time is right for you to do the same.
Top Five Turn-on Movies for Him:
1) The Oscar Winner – Avatar (2008)
The visual effects are like nothing ever seen before – watch out for Jake’s first walk through the Pandorian forests – while the science-fiction plot will keep him hooked. He’ll also identify with Jake as he makes love with Neytiri and then saves the alien world from extinction. Guaranteed to leave a man both visually blissed out and feeling like a hero.
2) The Classic – The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
As Daniel Day Lewis fights alongside his Mohican brothers, your man will fight along with him, adrenalin pumping. Superb landscape and vivid action sequences. And though the love interest comes in second place, it’s way strong enough to keep him remembering what Valentine’s Day is all about: nudge him at the point where Hawkeye tells Cora “No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.”
3) The Scary One – Seven (1992)
It may be tricky to find a film that is edgy enough to scare your man, but not so horrific that lovemaking is the last thing on both your minds. But the toughest guy is going to get nervous as Brad Pitt investigates, while the film is well-plotted enough for you to both emerge feeling close. Prepare for him to leap into your arms during the ‘skeleton on the bed’ scene, and gather you into his arms at the final tragic ending.
4) The Bond Fantasy – Casino Royale (2006)
Not the spoof with David Niven, but the first appearance of Daniel Craig as OO7. A man will admire – but won’t feel deskilled by – Craig’s craggy but very human characterisation, whilst at the same time losing himself in the fantasy of high adventure, high-class living and lots of luscious ladies. Yes, it does contain ‘that’ torture scene – but that should only make your man more grateful that he himself has no problems in that department…
5) The New Release – The Artist (2012)
A homage to the silent movie, the film’s whole aim is to show the power of visual imagery – and so it’s perfectly suited to enthral the visually oriented male. He’ll also love the strong erotic charge between leads Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo – which begins with a classic ‘bump into’ scene but develops much more deeply and movingly as the film progresses. Add in a strong feel-good factor and you have the ideal y-chromosome romcom.
The Do-It-For-Both Movie – An Officer and A Gentleman (1982)
Thirty years old, but still an absolute winner, Richard Gere’s surviving his challenging army rite of passage will pump up the guys’ adrenalin and leave them on a high, while the girls will melt at the ‘true love conquers all’ message in Gere’s relationship with Debra Winger. And surely there won’t be a dry eye in the house as the final scene sees him stride into the factory to claim her as his own. After which, surely the only thing to do is to claim each other…
Three top tips for choosing your Valentine’s Day Movie
1) Score extra brownie points – by choosing a film that will get your date going even if it does nothing for you
2) Avoid films you’ve already seen with an ex – unless you’re very good at covering your tracks, this will lead to awkward, lust-killing conversations!
3) Don’t go for frat movies or gorefests – choose films where the characters are generally likeable and the plot leaves you both feeling comfortable. This is no time for toilet humour or blood and guts.
