Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to binge on some romance drama films but not all films manage to do justice to the female characters in a film. And we’ve always heard people say how difficult women are to understand. But what better way to understand women and romance from a woman’s lens? We’ve put together a list of romantic films directed by women that demand your attention this season of love. See the story of love and romance from a woman’s lens this Valentine’s day. Without further ado, dive into this list.
1. Dil Dhadakne Do
Starring Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma in lead roles, this film directed by Zoya Akhtar follows the story of the dysfunctional family of the Mehras and their messed up love lives that turn chaotic on a cruise to celebrate the 30th wedding anniversary of Kamal and Neelam Mehra. It’s a story of love, understanding and the coming together of a dysfunctional family. It also stars Rahul bose, Vikrant Massey, Manoj Pahwa, Zarina Wahab, Parmeet Sethi and Dolly Mattdo.
2. Lost In Translation
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, this romantic-comedy-drama film stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as Bob Harris and Charlotte respectively. A fading film star struggling with a midlife crisis befriends a college graduate struggling with her marital troubles in Tokyo and sparks fly. But is this romance meant to be?
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3. Home Again
This 2017 romantic-comedy film was written by Hallie Meyers-Shyer. It was also her directorial debut film starring Reese Witherspoon, Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff, Candice Bergen, Michael Sheen and Jon Rudnitsky. It follows the story of a recently separated 40-year-old single mom who lets 3 aspiring filmmakers live with her in her home and finds an unlikely family in them.
4. Lust Stories
This Netflix special anthology film consisting of 4 short films had one film directed by Zoya Akhtar. Starring Bhumi Pednekar and Neil Bhoopalam, Zoya Akhtar’s directorial follows the story of a man, Ajit who is in a secret relationship with his maid, Sudha. But what happens when Ajit’s parents come to stay with him with a marriage proposal in their kitty?
5. Austenland
Directed by Jerusha Hess and produced by Stephenie Meyers, Austenland is a romantic-comedy film based on a novel of the same name starring Keri Russell, JJ Feild, Bret McKenzie, Jane Seymour, Jennifer Coolidge, James Callis and more. The film follows a 30-year-old woman, Jane Hayes whose love for Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice drives her to spend her saving on a trip to a Jane Austen-themed resort called Austenland to live the Regency-era life.
6. Going The Distance
Directed by Nanette Burstein, this Drew Barrymore and Justin Long starrer is a romantic-comedy film that follows a couple who falls in love after a meet-cute in New York City. But their love makes them give a long-distance relationship a chance when one of them has to return home to San Francisco. Watch this couple navigate the ups and downs of a chaotic long-distance relationship.
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7. Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari Bareilly Ki Barfi starring Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi and Seema Pahwa is an award-winning film. It follows the story of a woman who runs away from home after realising the no one can love her the way she is but she comes across a novel written by a local author and realises that the lead character is exactly like her. She goes on a journey to find the author and communicates with him via letters. But there’s a little twist when it comes to the identity of this author.
8. Obvious Child
Starring Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, David Cross and Gaby Hoffmann, this film follows the story of a stand-up comedian who gets pregnant after a drunken one-night stand with a man after her breakup with her boyfriend. Written and directed by Gillian Robespierre, this film revolves around the concept of abortion. This film also happens to be Gillian’s directorial debut.
9. Sleepless In Seattle
Directed by Nora Ephron, this romantic-comedy film stars Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger, Rob Reiner, Rosie O’Donnell, Gaby Hoffman, and others. It follows the story of a journalist who, despite being engaged, falls for a widowed architect after his son plays cupid by calling into a radio show to help his father find love again.
10. What Women Want
This Nancy Meyers directorial stars Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt along with Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda, Ashley Johnson, Mark Feuerstein, Lauren Holly, Delta Bruke and more. The film revolves around a male-chauvinist ad executive. His life takes a U-turn after her obtains the ability to hear what women think which, in turn, helps him understand the women around him.
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11. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar, this romantic comedy film starring Anil Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Juhi Chawla, Regina Cassandra and Seema Pahwa among others. This film tells the love story of a closeted lesbian as she comes out to her conservative family who is on a mission to get her married.
This Valentine’s day, find love in these romantic films that show the world of love and romance from a woman’s perspective.