Best (& Worst) Post-Breakup Movies
By Carissa Wright, GalTime.com
In an age where we love to lose ourselves in a good movie, this is exactly what girls do when we find ourselves in the midst of a breakup. Breakups can be ugly, and sometimes painful. Curling up with your girlfriends (you can invite Ben & Jerry too, I guess), grabbing a ton of junk food and popping in a movie is a quick fix. But it's important to watch the right kind of movie to get yourself back on your feet. Here is our list of the best and worst movies to watch with a broken heart.
THE BEST
Legally Blonde (2001)
The "I'm Too Good For Him Anyway" Movie
Nothing says girl power like a beautiful girl and a light-hearted story of triumph over adversity. Elle Woods (played by the wonderful Reese Witherspoon), is dumped by her boyfriend Warner because he's going to Harvard, and he doesn't think she's intelligent enough to be the type of girl he wants on his arm amongst big wigs. Elle not only makes it into Harvard Law, but also finds a new man and proves to everyone once and for all that blondes have brains, too. This is the perfect feel-good movie to raise your spirits.
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
The "There's Hope for Me Yet" Movie
In this movie Tom Hansen, a greeting card writer (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets Summer, his boss' new assistant (played by Zooey Deschanel). Even though Summer constantly expresses her disbelief in true love and lack of desire to have a boyfriend, Tom falls head over heels. Eventually they break up. With a shattered heart and little faith, Tom learns how to stand on his own two feet again, and in the end, learns that when one season ends, another begins.
Related: 5 Things You Should Never Say to a Man
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
The Hopeless Romantic Movie
This British romantic comedy is probably the most relatable on the list. Renee Zellweger plays Bridget Jones, a thirty-something single woman. She's quirky, super awkward, and hilarious in the dorkiest way possible. Bridget finds herself sleeping with her boss, (Hugh Grant) but can't help but stop and take a look at Mark Darcy, whom she doesn't get along with. As she chronicles her life progress and setbacks in her diary, it's easy for any girl to see a little bit of herself in Bridget. This movie gives us all faith that there is someone out there who will tell us, "I like you just the way you are".
Kill Bill, Vol I & II (2003, 2004)
The Ultimate Revenge Movie(s)
Okay-so you can't (and shouldn't) go on a manhunt for your ex, but it does make for a great movie! Uma Thurman plays Beatrix Kiddo, "the deadliest woman in the world". On the day she is to marry Bill (played by David Carradine), her former allies of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad launch a massacre that puts her in a coma for four years. When she wakes up she seeks to exact revenge on every single one of the people who had a hand in the attack, including Bill himself. Nothing like an epic revenge drama to raise the spirits.
Related:The Rules of Revenge
Sliding Doors (1996)
The Thought-Provoking Happy-Ending Movie
Although this movie is a lot older than the rest, "Sliding Doors" is a unique story of two parallel universes. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Helen Quilley, who has just been fired from her job. As she is heading home, her life splits into two alternate paths. In the first, she catches the train and finds her boyfriend, Gerry, cheating on her. They break up, and she is forced to move on and open up. In the alternate option, she misses the train, encounters a lot of bad luck (like nearly getting mugged) and continues to live with Gerry, oblivious to the fact that he is cheating. These parallel stories continue to unfold, but in the end, destiny takes hold.
Honorable Mentions: Waiting to Exhale, High Fidelity, 27 Dresses, Erin Brockovich
THE WORST
The Break-Up (2006)
This movie is too realistic and will most likely hit too close to home. This couple is falling apart-one feels unappreciated, the other feels suffocated, and both think the other is being immature. The lack of happy ending does little to alleviate a bitter, depressed mood.
The Notebook (2006)
Sitting through an old couple relive their glorious, unbelievable love affair is beyond depressing. This one is notorious for tugging on the heartstrings, so maybe you should stay away from it until you're back on your feet-there are only so many boxes of tissue in the world.
Related: 3 Biggest Mistakes Women Make in Bed
A Walk To Remember
(2002)
Another tear-jerking story of true love impeded upon by uncontrollable sickness. Featuring Mandy Moore and Shane West, this popular movie is incredibly sweet but deceivingly depressing. Skip it.
Alfie (2004)
Alfie is a shallow, self-centered, hedonistic man who gets his kicks from meeting and seducing women, then bed-hopping between them. He sleeps around and breaks girls' hearts, before running into a slew of bad luck. You may end up throwing your chocolate ice cream covered spoon at the TV with this one.
Related: What Kind of Flirt Are You?
Titanic (1997)
Great movie…but you know how it ends. By the end you will have died ten times inside, and really it's just like self-inflicted cruel and unusual punishment. And if the movie itself doesn't get you, Celine Dion singing "My Heart Will Go On" will be the icy dagger through the heart.
What's your go-to romance flick when your heart's hurting???
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