Aside from romantic love, many other kinds of love enrich our lives and deserve to be celebrated on Valentine’s Day. The love between best friends, and the bonds between mentors and mentees are only a few examples of the numerous loving relationships that are equally important and worthy of appreciation. Here we’ll look at some of the best films that aren’t necessarily romantic but celebrate love in all its manifestations.
Whether they’re coming-of-age stories or comedy-dramas, these films remind us that love can take many shapes and forms and celebrate the strength of friendship, mentorship, and family ties. So, grab some popcorn and prepare to be moved by the love around us.
For more on the different types of love, check out this article.
Storge + Philautia Love: Lady Bird
Lady Bird depicts the mother-daughter relationship nicely. Lady Bird is a coming-of-age film directed by Greta Gerwig about a young woman named Christine McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) and her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). The film is about the relationship between Lady Bird and her mother, which is unbreakable despite their many fights.
As Lady Bird searches for her place in the world and her mother attempts to shield her, we see them work through the ups and downs of their relationship throughout the film. The film’s script has many funny lines, but it also has a lot of heartfelt moments. The love between Lady Bird and her mother is evident, and the two have an honest and realistic portrayal in the film.
Agape Love: Big Fish
The film Big Fish released in 2003, is a beautiful and touching story about a father’s love for his son. It also shows how that affection develops through the years. This film, directed by Tim Burton and based on a novel by Daniel Wallace, is a tribute to the strength of family ties and the unbreakable bonds that remains regardless of how far people may be apart or how much time may pass.
Moreover, Big Fish is a film on the development of a father and son’s knowledge of one another as their relationship changes over time. We experience the highs and lows of their relationship and the moments of profound connection that keep them together. However, their undying affection for one another is a monument to the strength of families and the value of friendships and kinships that people can find beyond romance.
Storge + Eros Love: Moonlight
Moonlight is a stunning work about the strength of friendships and relationships, romantic and non-romantic. The film, directed by Barry Jenkins, is a coming-of-age tale that chronicles the experiences of a young man named Chiron as he grows up in Miami and attempts to make sense of his identity and the complicated relationships he has formed with others.
In particular, Moonlight depicts a mother’s and son’s love and the complicated relationship between parents and offspring. The film’s depiction of Chiron’s connection with his mother is one of its central themes. The love between Chiron and his mother is apparent, and it serves as a reminder of the strength and tenacity of familial love, despite the challenges and tribulations they endure.
Storge Love: Toni Erdmann
The non-romantic relationship between a father and daughter is explored in Toni Erdmann, a 2016 film that is both touching and amusing. The film is directed by Maren Ade. The film features Winfried Conradi (Peter Simonischek) as the eccentric father of Ines (Sandra Hüller). She is a successful corporate consultant in the film. The film is about the father’s attempts to reconnect with his daughter.
The film Toni Erdmann is, at its heart, about the difficulties of communication between a father and daughter. Winfried tries to get through his daughter’s professional facade by playing a series of intricate pranks and stunts on her. By doing so, he shows her how much more than a corporate consultant she is to him; she is also his daughter, and he loves her very much.
Philia Love: Stand by Me
A timeless coming-of-age film, Stand by Me, focuses on the importance of friendship and non-romantic love. This film is directed by Rob Reiner, based on a book by Stephen King, and stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell as four young friends who set off on a trip to recover a corpse.
The strong friendship depicted among the four main characters in Stand by Me is one of the film’s most striking features. It’s heartwarming and inspirational to see the love and loyalty these four young boys have for one another, whether they’re having fun, facing danger, or just hanging out. The film shows us the strength and durability of friendship and celebrates the kind of deep, abiding love that can exist exclusively between friends.
Philia Love: The Grand Budapest Hotel
The 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel is a quirky and whimsical look at the strength of friendship and love outside of romantic relationships. Set in the 1930s and directed by Wes Anderson, the film stars Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H, the famed concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, and Tony Revolori as Zero, the young lobby boy who quickly becomes Gustave’s protege and closest buddy.
The friendship that develops between Gustave and Zero is one of the film’s most appealing aspects. Gustave becomes a father figure to Zero through their shared experiences, and the two develop a strong relationship characterised by affection, trust, and esteem. This film shows us the strength of the relationships we cultivate throughout our lives and celebrates the kind of deep, abiding love that may exist between individuals who may not be related by blood.
Phila Love: Toy Story
Toy Story, directed by John Lasseter and released in 1995, is an iconic animated film about the bond that may form between inanimate objects. When Andy (played by Tom Hanks) obtains a new toy, Buzz Lightyear, the pull-string cowboy Woody (also played by Hanks) feels envious (Tim Allen). Woody and Buzz were rivals, but they quickly became great friends and joined forces to save the other toys. In “Toy Story,” we see the transformative power of friendship and the depth of love shared by two people who might otherwise never have crossed paths.
In conclusion, many films do not rely on a romance but bring happiness to the viewer’s heart since they honour various loving relationships. Films about loving relationships, such as the one between a daughter and her mother in Lady Bird or the friendship between two people in Stand by Me, remind us of the strength and significance of these bonds. For more on the different types of love, check out this article.
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