Hi, it’s me again. Just me… again.
Not sure how often I’ll be showing up here solo, but you guys seem to like it, so here we are. And this time, I come bearing gifts. Really good ones. Trust me, you’re going to love this.
It’s not that you’re incapable of love, you just haven’t found the right film to convince you yet.
And that’s okay. That’s what I’m here for. Before you spiral into another night of stalking happy couples on Instagram or watching proposal videos “for fun,” let me intervene.
These films might not top your usual romcom lists, but they have all the ingredients to make you consider giving love another shot. If anything can make you believe again, or at least get you to stop pretending you don’t care, it’s these four.
Disclaimer: If you watch any of these and feel compelled to text someone you shouldn’t, that’s on you. I only recommend films, not poor decisions.
Begin Again
“You can tell a lot about a person by what’s on their playlist.”
Begin Again is about a washed-up music producer and a heartbroken singer who meet by chance and end up making something beautiful together.
It feels like a film you’ve always known, even if it’s your first time watching. It’s simple, grounded and warm. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley are perfectly cast as two people whose lives are unraveling in different ways, brought together by music.
What makes this film special is how it redefines romance. It’s not about the typical love story, it’s in the music, the way the city feels alive, the way the characters are trying to pick their lives back up, the cinematography, the dialogue. It’s in finding something worth fighting for again, even when everything seems impossible, and making something beautiful out of nothing.
This film is authentic, hopeful, and the kind that you’ll come back to when life feels off and you need a reminder that you can always begin again.
Silver Linings Playbook
“The world will break your heart ten ways to Sunday, that’s guaranteed. I can’t begin to explain that. Or the craziness inside myself and everyone else. But guess what? Sunday’s my favorite day again.”
Silver Linings Playbook is as messy and moving as the people in it. Jennifer Lawrence delivers an Oscar-winning performance, and Bradley Cooper, an Oscar-worthy one.
It tells the story of Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), two troubled people who find an unexpected connection that helps them heal, laugh, and believe in second chances.
The idea of a silver lining is about finding scraps of light in the darkest places, and we see every character is holding onto something that keeps them going, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. Pat’s obsession with his ex-wife, Tiffany’s latching on to the idea of Pat, Pat Sr.’s holding his family together through football rituals, everyone’s chasing something, hoping it’ll bring them peace.
Silver Linings Playbook reminds you that no matter how much of a mess you think you are, there’s someone out there who’ll get you. Who won’t try to fix you, but will show up anyway.
Rye Lane
“So, apparently, there are two types of people in this world. The ones who wave at boats, and the ones who hate joy.”
Rye Lane is one of my personal favorites from 2023. It’s a romantic comedy that’s as vibrant as it is sincere. Starring David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, it follows two heartbroken strangers who cross paths and end up spending the day wandering South London, talking, healing, and maybe falling for each other along the way.
Directed by Raine Allen-Miller in her feature debut, the film is a love letter to South London, and you feel the affection in every shot. Visually, it’s playful and colorful without trying too hard, and the dialogue is fast, funny, and full of feeling. Both leads are effortlessly charming with the kind of chemistry that makes you believe, even in the span of a day, that something real could blossom. It’s like a modern mashup of Before Sunrise and When Harry Met Sally. It’s warm, stylish, and refreshingly Black, not because it’s trying to prove anything, but because it just is.
It feels familiar, too, like something you didn’t know you missed until it showed up and made you smile.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
“Giving your heart to somebody is the scariest, most dangerous, most perplexing thing.”
Cha Cha Real Smooth, written and directed by Cooper Raif follows a directionless 22-year-old (Cooper Raif) who finds an unexpected purpose and connection when he becomes a party starter and forms a bond with a mother (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic daughter (Vanessa Burghardt).
This film will always hold a special place in my heart. It opens with Lupe Fiasco’s The Show Goes On, a forever favorite, and from there, it just sort of wraps you in something warm and subtly emotional.
One of the things I really appreciated was the casting of an actual autistic actor, which gave the story a kind of grounding most films only pretend to have.
I love how Cha Cha Real Smooth is honest about the messiness of feelings and wanting connection even when you don’t quite know what you’re looking for. It’s not about fairy-tale love, but about real-life moments, unexpected bonds, mismatched timing, the kind of affection that doesn’t ask for anything in return, but shows up anyway.
It reminds you that sometimes, believing again isn’t about being certain. It’s about being open. And maybe, that’s enough.
So, let me know, which of these have you seen? Did any resonate with you? What would you add to the list? Hit reply or feel free to shoot me a message, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Definitely good movies my favorite is Rye Lane, I highly recommend it
Silver Linings is wonderful, I'll be watching Begin Again based on the Director alone, Once is an absolute must for the music