Festive Films To Get You Out Of Your Breakup Funk
Breakups are hard. Understatement of the century, right? When paired with the daunting winter months dubbed as “cuffing season,” they can be particularly overwhelming. Best described by Cher Horowitz in “Clueless,” that “overwhelming sense of ickiness” you feel after a breakup will eventually fade. To aid the process, I’ve composed a list of holiday movies that’ll have you off the couch and rockin’ round the tree before you can say “Bah! Humbug” Grab the hot cocoa, turn on the Christmas lights, and get ready for the most wonderful marathon of the year.
DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Image Courtesy: Independent Co.
Available on Peacock Premium, Prime Video and Youtube
Assuming the breakup is fresh, you may be experiencing a blizzard of emotions like anger, sadness and frustration. Heartbreak can make the prospect of celebrating anything, let alone a period as packed as the holiday season, unappealing. This is all the more reason to start your movie night off with a classic as relatable as “Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This classic follows the winter of the Grinch, a grump who despises the holidays while the rest of his town celebrates merrily. His loneliness cultivates a heart so bitter that it damns those surrounding him to the same fate. It’s normal to feel sour after splitting with a partner. However, it’s a disservice to both you and the people around you to stay in that state. If the Grinch himself can eventually mend his own heart, so can you!
THE HOLIDAY
Image Courtesy: CBS News
Available on Hulu and Prime Video
“The Holiday,” a film that’s helped me with many chilly nights, is what I believe to be the movie to help navigate a breakup. It’s just the right combination of heart-wrenching and hopeful — allowing you to feel the sadness of your breakup while reminding you that this feeling won’t last forever. Take a look at Iris and Amanda. Iris is in a one-sided love affair, struggling with unrequited love and unable to move on after being cheated on, while Amanda is cheated on and curses the idea of men altogether. Both women have recently experienced separation, and they decide to swap homes with each other via an international home exchange site to escape reality. They didn’t let their breakup hold them back. Instead, they endeavored to move on. As the movie progresses, both women are faced with the opportunity to fall in love again once they’ve had time to process their heartbreak. It’s a pleasant reminder to take the time you need to work on yourself after a breakup because the possibility of love will always be out there waiting — no matter how long it takes.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS
Image Courtesy: Chicago Reader
Available on Hulu (with Starz subscription) and Prime Video
A tale of holiday blues that vaguely resembles that of the Grinch, “Christmas with the Kranks” follows Luther and Nora Krank. They’re a middle-aged couple who live on the most festive street in their neighborhood, spending a whopping six grand each year on Christmas decorations. When their daughter isn’t able to come home for the holidays, they decide to trade in Chicago’s snow for a Caribbean sun soaked cruise — a decision met with much disapproval from their neighbors. With much convincing, or perhaps some friendly nagging, the Kranks are reminded of why they love staying home for the holidays. The residents serve as an alternate family for each other, allowing them to dwell in each other’s good times and provide the strength to withstand periods of loss. Surrounding yourself with loved ones, whoever they may be, in a time as lonely as the aftermath of a breakup is a wonderful way to reign in some extra comfort and joy.
The holidays look different for everyone. No matter what you celebrate, or who you celebrate with, there’s still time to make this winter one that even the Grinch will envy. Just remember growth isn’t linear. Being overcome with emotion, wanting to self isolate and feeling an intense desire to escape reality are all valid reactions to heartbreak. While these movies aren’t a sure fix, they’re great background noise to what I hope to be a period of healing for you. Be kind to yourself and others this holiday season.
Strike Out,
Writer: Kaicha Noel / Editors: AJ Bafer & Hannah Shelton
Gainesville
