For the lover girls: romantic film recommendations and an honest review of love.

Contrary to popular belief, I’m a Gemini sun who loves love. Though people tend to confuse our unwillingness to commit to things or people that restrict our personal freedom and our multifaceted nature as being non-committal in relationships.

Over the past few days, I’ve really been honing into the fact that we are more than just our sun signs on my socials and as a Sagittarius moon, I personally believe this is who I am at my core. So, with the festive season soon approaching, I wanted to dedicate this blogpost to my fellow lover girls who love love.

I’ve watched a fair share of rom coms and I love ones that leave me longing and wishing for a cuddle buddy afterwards! Around this time of the year people are typically inclined to watch Christmas classics or romance films with loved ones or alone. No matter how cheesy these may be, I’m a real sucker for a good romance film even if my personal love life may not have necessarily reflected what I desired. I’ve always still been inspired.

I don’t think anyone has quite got the hang of what it means to love another or what it should feel/look like. And although, there are many debates and concepts thrown around about what standard we should measure the love we receive by it’s quite hard and somewhat unrealistic to follow these rigid rules and regulations as I call them or standards set by others when you are caught up feeling multiple feelings and thoughts all at once.

Whilst at times I can be quite the pessimist, I also like to think that I’m also an optimist and I believe that there is a lot to learn from films particularly the hidden messages they convey. Not so long ago, I watched love at first sight on Netflix and I loved how despite the fears both characters felt in regard to falling in love with a complete stranger who they met in an airport lounge it was quite endearing to see how both lovers eventually let love lead. Even amidst both characters attempting to rationalise their feelings, the viewers could see that their love truly conquered all. I’m a full moon baby with my sun square my moon so perhaps my warped inability to rationalise my feelings and thoughts at times makes me more inclined to appreciate these kind of things in films.

In an era of situationships and talking stages, it can be demotivating or should I say exhausting to give love and romance some thought. Especially when you can see the chaos other people are going through in the streets. However, I think these films serve as a reminder not to give up and that human connections and interactions are essential components to daily life and society as whole. Imagine a world without love? Although current realities and conflicts across the world make us question whether there is any love left in our leaders hearts, we shouldn’t negate the fact that we all need love and in its purest form albeit how complex love can be.

I believe from watching these films and my personal experiences, it is much easier to give up on love. However, God and the universe have a funny way of bringing the unexpected your way. Which is a common theme in a lot of the romantic films I will be suggesting below.

In “All about love” Bell Hooks notes that Harold Kushner states that he is “afraid that we may be raising a generation of young people who will grow up afraid of love, afraid to give themselves completely to another person, because they will have seen how much it hurts to take the risk of loving and having it not work out.” Now this has been and is still to an extent a source of anxiety for me, the thought of giving yourself completely, unhindered, and unfiltered to another who may use the opportunity to either play you or be real with you. The balance of probabilities are endless BUT each and every time I take time away from the hustle and bustle of the world around me and watch of these films, I am often reminded of the beauty that exists in love.

So, in honour of the festive season I have curated a list of romantic films that I recommend and will also provide an overview of what romance films you’ve been missing out on in your life! Be sure to check out my reel on my Instagram this is dedicated to my lover girls. The girls that keep on believing and hoping knowing that a love that is special and warming awaits us.

Morocco in times of war: If you are looking for a passionate war drama that explores love and passion whilst saving lives then look no further this Spanish series is the one for you! This was also a random choice I made but loved watching this and happy I did.

Love at first sight: A romance film which details two strangers who meet at an airport but become united as lovers taking us through their own personal journeys and stories. If you’re up for a good but needed cry then this is the one for you.

Gran hotel: A personal favourite, this is a Spanish telenovela which details murder mysteries, personal vendettas, class relations and love. Do not be alarmed, there are many episodes so this is more of a binge watch but so worth it. An original love story between a well to do Lady and a servant butler Gran hotel shows us that social class and societal positioning at the time this was set was of important this did not stop the two lovers from conquering all together.

Dating around & Dating around Brazil: this is a reality series that takes us on a journey to explore the various connections people make on a series of dates. Real and raw connections mixed with experimental dating make this series worth the while and there is a US edition and Brazilian edition.

To all the boys P.S I still love you: An all-time classic and also another personal favourite. There are two additional films to the sequel. We follow the main female character lead go through a journey of discovery both in her personal life and new-found love life. Battling various dilemmas and forced to make a choice about who she loves and wants to be with.

Love & Gelato: is a good one to watch if you love Italy, romance, and gelato and you’d like to see a teenage women go through the ring of fire her mother once did many years ago and also discover who her biological father is whilst finding love in the most unexpected way.

Elemental: Mixed elements from different backgrounds and walks of life unite together for a common purpose. Whilst the fire element shy’s from the emotional intimacy and connection that is exists between water. We witness how societal and family expectations hinder progressive love between the two elements. Forging a path of their own, ultimately one lover is forced to come clean about their choices and finding their own path💧+🔥.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blogpost and if you feel called to follow me on Instagram to see my character reviews & to my lover girls (I have a special place for women in my heart) but this does not exclude lovers in general, I dedicate this post to you 🩷 may you know love and may you be love.