According to research conducted by LoveFilm, Love Actually is the perfect movie to watch on Valentine's Day. When asked by LoveFilm why this is so, neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis explained that Love Actually is the film most likely to get us in the mood for love, due to some type of chemical reaction our brains. He said: "So if an on-screen couple shares a passionate kiss, the mirror neurons in the viewers' heads will fire as if they were doing the kissing... They will experience the same powerful and pleasurable emotions that are being depicted on screen."

In non scientific words, we get off on seeing other people get off. Makes sense.

While the Doc here may have a point, in film terms, we'd have to disagree; Love Actually is very much a Christmas movie and should only be watched during the month of December. Sure, it's romantic (especially the Martin Freeman story) but there's something inherently miserable about watching Christmas films two months after Christmas has come and gone, a time when we've not quite reached Spring, we're still freezing our tits off and we're still unashamedly shoving our hands down the sides of our couches, hoping we'll come across even a fifty cent coin, among all the crumbs and yuletide sweet wrappers.

Much better to watch something that's more of an all year fit, like When Harry Met Sally. Encompassing all seasons of the year, we believe THIS to be the ultimate Valentine's Day film. And the fact that it suits the weather outside is but one teeny tiny convenience; in every other way, this is a top class film. If you haven't seen it, shame on you. Although this would make us rather green-eyed, as you now have all 96 minutes of the late Norah Ephron's quotable brilliance ahead of you. And let's not forget Harry Connick Jnr's dulcet-toned soundtrack.

I defy you to find a more romantic, non cheesy, non sappy, non pass-me-the-sick-bucket evoking speech than Harry's final declaration of love for his 'friend' Sally. It goes a little like this (men, take note):

Harry Burns: I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

 

And for some other classic gems, we give you:

Jess: "Baby talk"? That's not a saying.
Harry Burns: Oh, but "baby fish mouth" is sweeping the nation? I hear them talking.

Jess: You made a woman meow?

Who could forget the zinger (delivered by director Rob Reiner's mother, no less) after Sally fakes orgasm at Katz' diner in New York...

Older Woman Customer: [to waiter] I'll have what she's having.

And then there's the car ride to New York which sets the whole tone for the movie, in which Harry explains to Sally his theory that men and women can never be just friends.

Harry Burns: You realize of course that we could never be friends.
Sally Albright: Why not?
Harry Burns: What I'm saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.
Sally Albright: That's not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved.
Harry Burns: No you don't.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: No you don't.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: You only think you do.
Sally Albright: You say I'm having sex with these men without my knowledge?
Harry Burns: No, what I'm saying is they all WANT to have sex with you.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: How do you know?
Harry Burns: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally Albright: So, you're saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
Harry Burns: No. You pretty much want to nail 'em too.
Sally Albright: What if THEY don't want to have sex with YOU?
Harry Burns: Doesn't matter because the sex thing is already out there so the friendship is ultimately doomed and that is the end of the story.
Sally Albright: Well, I guess we're not going to be friends then.
Harry Burns: I guess not.
Sally Albright: That's too bad. You were the only person I knew in New York.