Shubhabrata Dutta
For some of us cinephiles, a film is more than a piece of fiction- it is a philosopher and a guide for life. After a breakup, you want to dilute your sorrow through whichever means necessary, and cinema is a great constructive medium to divert your mind elsewhere. While some of them prepare you for the future that lies ahead, some create longings for the past. If you are getting over a relationship and looking for movies that would suit or uplift your gloomy mood, we have a few suggestions that are readily available on HBO Max.
10. Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012)
‘Celeste And Jesse Forever’ is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Lee Toland Krieger. The movie follows the story of Celeste and Jesse, childhood sweethearts turned best friends who decide to separate but remain close while navigating their lives post-divorce. As they navigate their new lives apart, they discover that letting go and moving on is not as easy as they thought. Rashida Jones stars as Celeste, delivering a captivating performance alongside Andy Samberg’s portrayal of Jesse.
The film beautifully explores themes such as love, friendship, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships in an honest and relatable manner. Through its witty dialogue and genuine performances, ‘Celeste And Jesse Forever’ deserves a place on the list for its ability to accurately depict the challenges faced when saying goodbye to someone you still deeply care about. You can stream it here.
9. Birds of Prey (2020)
‘Birds of Prey’ is a thrilling action-comedy film directed by Cathy Yan. The film follows Harley Quinn as she navigates life after breaking up with her infamous ex-boyfriend, Joker. As she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and liberation, Harley teams up with an unconventional group of kick-ass women – Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) – to protect a young girl named Cassandra Cain from the clutches of crime lord Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask (Ewan McGregor).
Amidst all the explosive action sequences and witty banter lies a central theme of empowerment and self-discovery for these female characters who have been overshadowed or underestimated in their male-dominated world. While exploring themes of independence and redemption in the face of adversity, ‘Birds of Prey’ effortlessly captures the complexities surrounding heartbreak and showcases how one can rise above it. This compelling narrative, combined with outstanding performances, solidifies its well-deserved spot on the list of Best Breakup movies on HBO Max. You may watch ‘Birds of Prey’ here.
8. Legally Blonde (2001)
Directed by Robert Luketic, this cult classic stars Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, who is dumped by his boyfriend Warner (Matt Davis) for being “too blonde.” He then goes and joins Harvard Law School, where his old ladylove is. Adamant about winning her boyfriend back, Woods also makes it into Harvard Law, bringing in the Hawaiian attitude that comes as no less than a culture shock for all the wannabe lawyers around her. But she isn’t there to become just a lawyer. Elle is there to be “legally blonde.” It’s a must-watch movie, especially if you have just had a breakup; you can watch the movie here.
7. Blue Valentine (2010)
‘Blue Valentine’ is a romantic drama film directed by Derek Cianfrance. The movie explores the deterioration of a young couple’s relationship as they navigate the complexities of love, passion, and commitment. With raw intensity and emotional depth, it delves into their past and present through parallel narratives that intertwine seamlessly. Ryan Gosling delivers a compelling performance as Dean, while Michelle Williams shines in her role as Cindy. ‘Blue Valentine’ tackles themes of disillusionment, loss of intimacy, and unfulfilled dreams with utmost honesty and vulnerability. Its ability to capture the intricacies of a failing relationship and authentic portrayal of love’s fragility makes it an essential inclusion on this list. You can stream the film here.
6. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
‘Leaving Las Vegas’ is a poignant and heart-wrenching drama film directed by Mike Figgis. The film revolves around Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who decides to drink himself to death in Las Vegas. As he spirals deeper into his self-destructive path, he encounters Sera, a kind-hearted prostitute who becomes enamored with him despite his devastating lifestyle. Nicolas Cage delivers an exceptional and emotionally charged performance as Ben Sanderson, while Elisabeth Shue shines brilliantly as Sera.
‘Leaving Las Vegas’ explores themes of addiction, love, and redemption through its raw portrayal of two lost souls finding solace in each other’s company amidst their troubled lives. With its powerful performances and thought-provoking narrative, this film deserves recognition on this list for its honesty in depicting the complexities of human relationships and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make when faced with heartbreak. You can watch ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ here.
5. Chungking Express (1994)
Acclaimed Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar-wai infuses hypnotic energy into the romantic crime drama movie ‘Chungking Express.’ Are you having a hard time getting over the memory of your love? You would know that you are not the only one; some people would go to any extent to relive those memories. Cop 223 routinely buys pineapple cans bearing the expiry date of May 1, commemorating the day he would get over his lost love.
While Cop 223 is occupied with his miserable life and a woman wearing sunglasses moving through the markets, Cop 663 gets acquainted with a waitress after his breakup with his flight attendant girlfriend. The neon-infused cinematography and the cerebral score assist in the making of one of the most serene and ambient romantic films that will stay with you forever. Feel free to check out the film here.
4. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
From legendary director Tim Burton comes a gothic fantasy romance starring Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, and Anthony Michael Hall. ‘Edward Scissorhands’ is about the titular character, played to perfection by Depp, who is an incomplete science experiment who has scissors instead of hands. A gentle woman named Peg (Dianne Wiest) finds Edward and brings him home, and his kind and gentle self is exposed to the world for the first time. He even falls in love with Peg’s teenage daughter, Kim. But his hands seem to be a continuous reminder of the fact that love is sharp. Can his behavior redeem his outcast appearance, especially for Peg? To find out, you can stream ‘Edward Scissorhands’ here.
3. Barbie (2023)
With 8 Academy Award nominations, out of which it won 1, 9 Golden Globe Award nominations, out of which it won 2, 12 Grammy Award nominations, and 15 BAFTA longlist categories, ‘Barbie’ is one of the best films to have come out of 2023. Directed by Greta Gerwig (‘Lady Bird’ (2017), ‘Little Women’ (2019)), the film follows Barbie, perhaps the world’s most popular doll, played by Margot Robbie. We see how Barbie tries to make sense of the real world run by men after an existential crisis brings her to it, as opposed to her Barbieland, where she and the other Barbies take care of everything while being pursued by their respective Kens. Ryan Gosling plays Ken to Robbie’s Barbie. While the two don’t have a breakup, they do fall out, and that too in a most troubling way, one underscored by patriarchy itself. The rest of the cast includes Emma Mackey, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Simu Liu, and Will Ferrell. You can watch the film here.
2. Her (2013)
Featuring a moving performance by Joaquin Phoenix, ‘Her’ is a sci-fi romance set in LA in the distant future. It follows introverted writer Theodore Twombly (Phoenix), who falls in love with an AI (Artificial Intelligence, voiced by Scarlett Johansson) that he names Samantha, who is an upgrade for his operating system. With her beautiful female voice, opted for by Twombly himself, Samantha constantly develops and bonds with him until he finds himself smitten with her. This allows him to come out of the depression caused by his impending divorce with the love of his life, Catherine. But is a relationship with something artificial and virtual even possible? Is it love?
‘Her’ gives a whole new meaning to Brand’s words from Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’ when she described love as “some evidence, some artifact of a higher dimension that we can’t consciously perceive. Love is the one thing that we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.” You can stream ‘Her’ here.
1. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Hong Kong maestro Wong Kar-Wai is arguably the most outstanding director of romance movies, and the romances in his films are often demure, unuttered, and fleeting. In his classic moody romantic saga, ‘In the Mood of Love,’ slow-burning passion gets an acute visual representation that is hard to replicate. A man and a woman rent apartments in the same building; while their spouses have an affair, they slowly develop feelings for each other.
But the silences and moments spent in the rain do not amount to much. The film’s ending is arguably one of the best movie endings portrayed on screen. Backed by a beautiful mise-en-scène and evocative score, this cinematic masterpiece will not fail to manifest your heartache. You may watch it here.
Read More: Best Breakup Movies on Netflix
