Introducing our series with TeaTime Pictures: Cinemaude. Find maude's Co-Creative Director Dakota Johnson and TeaTime Co-Founder Ro Donnelly's favorite romantic flicks curated monthly.
Ah, February 14, a lusty yet polarizing holiday—where some are reminded of why they are together and others are reminded of why they are going solo. No matter your relationship status—in this year of staying in and ordering takeout, there is no better aphrodisiac than falling into the love affairs portrayed on screen.
From 9 1/2 Weeks, the erotic drama that debuted on this holiest of Valentine's Days in 1986 to coming-of-age stories about identity like Dreamers and Blue is the Warmest Color. Johnson says of the round-up, “a few of our favorite romantic and sexy movies for February because, well, LOVE.”
9 1/2 Weeks, 1986
Directed by: Adrian Lyne
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger
The 80s romantic thriller follows Wall street trader John (Rourke) and gallery assistant Elizabeth (Basinger) who spontaneously meet and begin seeing one another. Their overly sexual relationship begins to wear on Elizabeth, as John's requests become more intense.
Where to watch: HBO Max
Blue is the Warmest Color, 2013
Directed by: Abdellatif Kechiche
Starring: Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulous
A young French woman, Adèle, falls for a Blue-haired art student Emma—having never had a relationship with a woman before. Their relationship continues over the years, moving in together as Emma pursues a career in painting, as Adèle starts a job as a teacher. Feeling unfulfilled by Emma, she cheats and their relationship begins to unravel.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Y Tu Mama Tambien, 2001
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Starring: Maribel Verdú, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna
After a cancer diagnosis and finding out her boyfriend has been unfaithful 20-something Luisa (Verdú) accepts the offer to drive with two best friends Julio (Bernal) and Tenoch (Luna) she recently met at a wedding. Unaware of her condition, they take Luisa on an epic and intense adventure sleeping on isolated beaches and sharing past stories of relationships and sex.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Dreamers, 2003
Directed by: Bernarndo Bertolucci
Starring: Michael Pitt, Eva Green, Louis Garrel
This coming of age tale centers on Matthew (Pitt), an American abroad in Paris in the 1960s. He meets twins Théo (Garrel) and Isabelle (Green) who share Matthew's love of cinema. The three become entangled romantically, spending a month living in close quarters as the city erupts in riots.
Where to watch: Cinemax Go
Portrait of a Lady on Fire, 2019
Directed by: Céline Sciamma
Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami
Set in 1770, Marianne (Merlant) a French painter is commissioned to paint Héloïse's (Haenel), a young engaged woman, portrait. The painting is done secretly, from a distance, as the young bride-to-be refuses a portrait and is reluctant about her upcoming wedding. To get more details of her face for the painting, Marianne is positioned as Héloïse's companion by her fiancé and as they get closer they two begin a secret love affair.
Where to watch: Hulu
