For St. Valentine's Day, Love in All Its Forms at the Movies

Love is a word we use all the time. We love our dinner, parents, the weather, etc. In Catholic teaching, there are four distinct kinds of love, drawn from Greek philosophy and often referenced in Scripture: Storge, Philia, Eros, and Agape.

In reference to movies, when we say something is a "love story," we think of a romance of some sort. But there's a lot more than that to love, and more kinds of love than one at the movies.

The Real Foundation of St. Valentine's Day

Only one of the kinds of love, Eros, represents the kind of romantic love that secular culture celebrates on St. Valentine's Day. But the day celebrates St. Valentine, and his life was hardly all hearts and flowers.

From the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land:

Saint Valentine, a Roman priest and physician from the third century, is distinguished for his remarkable compassion and love. Beyond his roles as a priest and doctor, he was a genuine caretaker, someone deeply concerned about the well-being of both the body and spirit of those around him.

His actions spoke louder than words when it came to love. Picture him as a compassionate helper, extending kindness to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. In an era marked by mistreatment based on one’s beliefs, Saint Valentine courageously stood up for love and faith.

Even in the face of severe challenges and hostility from others for his beliefs, Saint Valentine refused to abandon his commitment. He remained true to his love for God and humanity, demonstrating extraordinary bravery that ultimately led to his martyrdom.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, it’s more than just a time for flowers and chocolates; it is a moment to honor someone who loved others so profoundly that he sacrificed everything.

Below are four movies, each depicting one of these forms of love.

Storge: Love of Family

Father of the Bride (1991) YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango

Steve Martin stars as George Banks, along with Diane Keaton as his wife Nina; Kimberly Williams-Paisley as daughter Annie; Martin Short as Frank, and George Newbern as Bryan, in this updated remake of the 1950 Spencer Tracy classic.

George adores his family more than anything. When Annie returns from Europe and announces she is going to marry Bryan, a guy she met overseas, George is frantic. How can she rush into marrying someone she just met?

George only wants the best for his daughter so when the wedding preparations get underway, with the help of wedding planner Franck, George finally realizes his daughter will be flying the coop.

Life gets crazy around the Banks household with all the preparations, not to mention George’s dwindling bank account, but they hit the wall when the lovebirds break up.

George is not overly upset about the breakup. It means he gets to keep his daughter close to him for awhile longer. Seeing how unhappy both Annie and Bryan are, he realizes that Annie is meant to be with Bryan. He puts aside his fears of losing his daughter and sets about getting the pair reunited.

From plugged in By Focus on the Family

Unlike many remakes, Steve Martin’s Father of the Bride doesn’t stray too far from Spencer Tracy’s 1950 original—at least when it comes to the plot and characters. This version does, however, reflect societal changes, from gender roles to expectations of physical intimacy.

But at the core of it all is a heartwarming comedy that rings true. It may even do a better job than the original of portraying the emotional struggles of a father reluctantly surrendering his daughter to marriage. Indeed, this is a delightful coming-of-age tale that focuses not only on the one reaching maturity, but also those who’ve helped her reach it.

Philia: Platonic Love Among Friends

Jules (2023) Kanopy, YouTube, Hulu, Prime Video

Ben Kingsley is Milton, a widower living a quiet life in a small town in Pennsylvania. One day a UFO crashes into his backyard. At first he is apprehensive about this situation, but when he sees the alien emerging from the ship he decides to help this little fellow.

When his friends discover his secret, they join in to help the alien fix his ship and return to his home planet. Joyce (Jane Curtin) and Sandy (Harriet Harris) are eager to help Jules, as they call the alien. They do everything they can to keep him hidden from the authorities.

Jules works to repair his ship, and also joins his three human friends inside the house. Jules is not a danger to them. He looks out for them. The care they give each other is heartwarming.

After the repairs are finished Jules offers to take his new friends with him ... and what happens after that? Watch the movie.

Eros: Passion, or Romantic Love

While You Were Sleeping (1995) Disney+, YouTube, Prime Video, Fandango, Tubi, Apple TV

Sandra Bullock is adorable as Lucy, a token taker at Chicago’s “L” (short for elevated) train. Every day, she sees Peter (Peter Gallagher) board a train and fantasizes about him, thinking this rich and handsome guy is out of her league.

When Peter falls onto the track, she rushes out to save him.

At the hospital, Peter is in a coma and Lucy mutters to herself that he is the man she was going to marry. This utterance is overheard by a nurse who takes it for the truth. When Peter’s family comes to visit him the nurse tells them about Lucy, and everyone thinks she is Peter’s fiancé.

Lucy tries to set them straight but to no avail. They take her into their hearts and their home and for the first time in a long time Lucy feels like part of a family. It’s a heartwarming feeling for this woman who has no one.

Peter’s brother Jack (Bill Pullman) is suspicious about Lucy. After all, he thinks she is not Peter’s type.

As the days pass, Lucy and Jack get to know each other and yes, they do fall in love. But Jack won’t do anything, because he still thinks she is betrothed to his brother. And Lucy won’t act on her emotions because she does not want to upset her newfound family.

But, when Peter wakes up, it brings the situation between Lucy and Jack to a head. Will Lucy let things play out with Peter, or take the risk of publicly acknowledging her feelings for Jack?

According to Christ and Pop Culture in an article titled “Why You Need to Re-Watch While You Were Sleeping":

The self-restraint they [Lucy and Jack] exhibit in a moment of palpable longing and loneliness is a beautiful moral example. They refuse to destroy the family to pursue their own personal desires illicitly, in secret.

Agape: Unconditional, Selfless Love

It Could Happen to You (1994) Prime Video, Apple TV+, Fandango, Pluto

Nicolas Cage is New York Police Officer Charlie Lang. Bridget Fonda is waitress Yvonne Biasi, who just declared bankruptcy.

When Charlie pays his check at the diner, he discovers he does not have enough money for a tip for Yvonne, but he does have a lottery ticket. He tells her if he wins, he will split the winnings with her.

Lo and behold, he wins the lottery and a big prize. True to his word, he goes back to the diner and tells Yvonne that she can have half of his winnings. Things are looking up for her until Charlie’s wife (Rosie Perez) tries to stop him from giving away several millions of dollars that she feels is rightfully hers.

Charlie will not go back on his word and gives Yvonne half of the money. Neither of them are money-hungry. All Yvonne wants is to have a life where she doesn’t have to worry about paying her bills. She does not want fancy clothes or a mansion. And Charlie just wants to help people.

Together they set about doing just that and giving away things like subway tokens and even money. Their generosity gets the attention of the public, leading to a rift in Charlie's marriage.

But the pair's example of selfless generosity may bring about its own reward.

According to Spirituality and Practice:

It Could Happen To You goes straight to the heart with its glowing celebration of the virtues of kindness and generosity. This delightful movie will make you feel giddy and glad to be alive!

So, when St. Valentine's feast day rolls around, remember that love is not only a many-splendored thing, it's also a many-faceted thing. Spread it around!

Image: Adobe Stock

Francine Brokaw is a longtime journalist whose articles have been published in national and international publications. She is accredited by the MPAA and is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association. She also hosts Beyond the Red Carpet on YouTube.