Exploring some of the best Canadian contributions to romantic films
By, Aishah Ashraf
This year welcomes our first experience with Valentine’s Day in the midst of a global pandemic, leaving us all to our lonesome. Whether it be because you and your significant other are restricted by social distancing or that you’re just enjoying the single life, it’s not something we’re particularly looking forward to (unless you count the uplifting chocolate sales). Nonetheless, my favourite way to ‘celebrate’ this day is curled up in my room, accompanied by snacks of choice, and watch my favourite romantic movies while wondering when I’ll find my very own Prince Charming. Here are five films with a Canadian touch that we’ve definitely already seen, but can’t stop watching.
Starting off this list with a strong contender is one of my personal favourites, She’s the Man, starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum who play Viola and Duke, respectively. Inspired by Shakespeare’s play Twelfth NIght, this film shot in Vancouver trails protagonist Viola as she goes undercover and assumes the identity of her older brother at college in order to play for their football team. With demonstrating an alternative way to use tampons (if you know, you know) to getting to see Tatum working his magic on the field, this movie has got it all.
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you would know that My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of the most iconic films of our lifetime. From delving into Greek traditions and celebrating the rich culture, we are able to see the hilarious dynamic between the Portokalos family while following Toula’s pursuit of love. Coming from a background with deeply embedded cultural roots, she finds herself in love with a foreign man and goes on a wild adventure in hopes to earn her family’s blessing. This masterpiece is accredited to Canadian actress and Ryerson alum Antonia Eugenia “Nia” Vardalos, who wrote and starred as Toula.
Now, who doesn’t love a Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone crossover? Crazy, Stupid, Love is a fascinating, meandering and full-of-surprises love story accompanied by the esteemed Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone and Canada’s very own: Ryan Gosling. We watch in anticipation as Carrell’s character Cal gets coached by his newfound, playboy buddy Jacob (Gosling) in an attempt to get over his divorce. This interwoven storyline will leave you shocked by the end and definitely constitutes an entertaining watch! My heart swells with pride every time I remember that Gosling was born and bred in Ontario, representing us Canadians impressively well on a global scale.
4. The Proposal
In The Proposal, Canadian Ryan Reynolds joins forces with Sandra Bullock to bring us yet another romantic comedy following the fake-dating-turnedreal-dating trope. This wonderful pair are some of the forefathers of this populated notion still relevant today, where two individuals conspire to act like a couple in front of others, just to be a couple of pals behind the scenes. Sound familiar? That’s because it is! This theme has been adapted multiple times and most recently by the likes of Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky of the fantastic To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy. With the amalgamation of an interesting power dynamic between boss Margaret Tate (Bullock) and employee Andrew Paxton (Reynolds), the two fake an engagement to circumvent Tate’s deportation to her home country of Canada.
5. The Notebook
When we think about kissing in the rain, we all collectively remember the passionate scene between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook. Their portrayals of Allie Hamilton and Noah Jr. weren't all just acting though, as the match went on for three years after filming. Both actors from London, ONT. moved the world with their powerful performances in this film, illustrating the story of two lovers separated by fate. Now if that description alone doesn’t make you want to bawl your eyes out, I don’t know what will. Although some of us might be sorrowful having no one to spend our Valentine’s with, it’s better than having that someone but letting them get away.