Valentine weekend is usually a popular time to release a romance/rom-com, and this weekend we have not one but several films of this genre, plus a drama starring Richard Gere as the counter-programming of the week.
The Choice
Directed by: Ross Katz
With: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, and Alexandra Daddario
Heads up: Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life’s most defining events. Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, this is by most accounts the worst film adaptation from a novel of his, which is saying something. I’d say avoid it.
How to be Single
Directed by: Christian Ditter
With: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, and Leslie Mann
Heads up: New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, and what Alice, Robin, Lucy, Meg, Tom and David all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love. The 4 top-billed female stars of this film are very appealing, but the trailer is dreadful. Still, this is the lesser of two evils when it comes to films your significant-other might drag you to see this weekend. If you are given a “choice”, I’d pick this one.
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies
Directed by: Burr Steers
With: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston, Lena Heady
Heads up: Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen‘s classic tale set in 19th century England, about the tangled relationship between lovers who must face an army of undead zombies. This sounds gimmicky but fun. It also maybe counts as romantic? Out of the 4 Hollywood films we are previewing this week, I would say this one is the most appealing to me.
The Benefactor
Directed by: Andrew Renzi
With: Richard Gere, Dakota Fanning, and Theo James
Heads up: A philanthropist meddles in the lives of newly-married couples in an attempt to relive his past. With poor reviews, and the fact that’s it’s already available for rental on VOD platforms, I don’t see the point of seeing it on the big screen. Skip!
Fitoor
Directed by: Abhishek Kapoor
With: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, and Tabu
Heads up: This story follows a young Kashmiri boy, Noor, his muse Firdaus, and a mercurial Begum, through love lost and realized over the course of two generations. This is a Bollywood adaptation of Charles Dickens‘s great novel Great Expectations. from proven director Abhishek Kapoor (Rock On!, Kai Po Che). The trailer promises a lush production with breathtaking locals. It’s also good to see Tabu back in a meaty role, so I’d say definitely go for it.
