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Vocabulary
Unconventional– not traditional or usual
The movie tells an unconventional love story.
Turn on its head – to completely change the meaning of something
The film turns Valentine’s Day on its head.
Spectacle– something exciting and visually impressive
Studios now prefer big spectacles over romances.
Alternative– Something different from the usual or traditional choice.
The movie offers an alternative to traditional romantic comedies.
Idealized– Shown as perfect or better than real life, without problems or flaws.
Many old romance movies show an idealized version of love.
Article
Anti-Valentine’s Movies and the Changing Meaning of Romance
In mid-February, movie theaters are usually filled with couples hoping to watch a romantic film together. This year, however, audiences looking for a traditional love story may be surprised. Instead of romantic comedies, theaters are offering movies that use Valentine’s Day as a setting for darker, more ironic, or unconventional stories.
Several new releases take the holiday and turn it on its head. Some combine romance with suspense or action, while others explore love stories that are emotionally complicated or set in unusual worlds, including futures where technology plays a major role in relationships. Even films that appear light-hearted at first often move in unexpected directions, challenging common ideas about love.
This change did not happen suddenly. Big studio romance films were already becoming less common before the pandemic, and movie studios have since focused more on large-scale spectacles than on intimate love stories. As a result, many straightforward romances are now released mainly on streaming platforms rather than in theaters.
What is unusual about this year’s films is that many present themselves as playful or ironic alternatives to romantic comedies, even though such movies are already rare. These “anti-Valentine’s” films often reference older romance movies, using humor, parody, or genre-blending to stand out.
Overall, the trend suggests a shift in how modern audiences view romance. Instead of celebrating idealized love, many films now question it, reshape it, or use it as a way to explore broader social ideas.
Source: The Guardian
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions following the article in English.
- What kinds of stories are replacing traditional romantic comedies?
- Why are fewer romance films shown in theaters today?
- How do these movies use older romance films?
- What does the trend suggest about modern views of love?
Summary
In your own words, attempt to summarise the article in 4 sentences or less.
Discussion
Discuss these topics with your tutor, and support your answers with examples or experience.
- Do you prefer romantic movies that feel realistic or idealized? Why?
- Should Valentine’s Day movies always be romantic?
- How have movies about love changed compared to the past?
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