I remember being enchanted with fairytales as a little girl, most of them beatifically revolving around a prince charming and a happy ending. So full of hope and passion, we take on this world, adulting, hoping to live out our love story. Only to discover – after several heartbreaks, countless weeping sessions, and three tubs of ice cream -that it was all a white lie. Imagine having a knife thrust into your chest within a week of sensing those butterflies in your belly. Painful, right? While there is no elixir to mend a broken heart, there are undoubtedly some ways better than others—take my word for it. Sure, go ahead and indulge in a phase of self-pity, inhale copious quantities of food, ugly cry to tracks of Adele and then snap out of it!
Besides eating your sorrows away, there is one more tried and tested way (no, it does not include a haircut) to distract yourself from the heartache. Put on a kickass break up movie that perfectly encapsulates how you feel. We know it may be a daunting task to find the right one, but we have you covered. We’ve pulled out some iconic and relatable break-up films that could be a perfect catharsis for your broken heart.
1. Legally Blonde
I’d be lying if I said I haven’t watched Legally Blonde every time I’ve had to cope with heartache. While wallowing in your misery and egging your ex’s house may help for a while, there’s one thing that Elle Wood teaches us (besides getting into Harvard and being a kickass lawyer): the best revenge is working on yourself.
2. Queen
Blindsided by a breakup? You’ll probably relate to Rani; I know we’re all relieved Vijay dumped her (not to be insensitive), but how would she go on her solo “honeymoon” and live her finest life, if it wasn’t for that? That’s when Rani really blossomed into a queen.
3. Jab We Met
When Geet says, “Mai Meri Favorite Hoon,” we pretty much take it as a vade mecum for self-love. While Geet and Aditya seem to be cult favourites even today, one reason is being the couple seems relatable to many. When our not-so-favorite Anshuman dumped Geet (thank god), she was devastated and justified, so, we realized, you might not see it now, but maybe you’re saved for something/one way better-Aditya, a.k.a. Shahid Kapoor (brb, drooling)
4. Bridget Jones’s Diary
A romcom that eloquently depicts the life of a modern, chaotic gal going through heartbreak.Sometimes all we need is to realise that we’re not alone in our pursuit of an ideal love story. And nobody says, “We’re in this together” like Bridget Jones.
5. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
While this isn’t your typical breakup movie, we could immediately connect with Kabir, who embodies the can’t-catch-a-break workaholic. There’s nothing wrong with loving your work, but there’s definitely something odd if it’s all you can think, breathe, and talk about. If any of you have lived through this, know that while the breakup stings, it’s better late than never. Hang in there, everyone has a Laila waiting for them on a beach in Spain. Which reminds us that there’s nothing quite like a vacation with friends to heal a broken heart.
6. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
While the movie did have the worst ways to deal with a breakup or a rejection, it was the anguish of one-sided love that felt most relatable. Yes, we know, it isn’t really a breakup, but it sure feels like one. Imagine being friend-zoned. Imagine being a side hero for the rest of your life. Right now, it’s excruciating. However, there are a few things about this one that we absolutely adore: a) Nothing beats a spontaneous trip like a Dil tutti chutti to distract you.b) It doesn’t matter how much you desire something, it doesn’t always mean it’s good for you. Alizeh realised it wasn’t meant to be when she broke up with her longtime love, Dj Ali (ugh, those good looks).
7. Someone Great
We’re all familiar with the pitfalls of a long-distance relationship, but as someone who has never been in one, I’ve noticed that most long-distance relationships end before the distance even begins, and in Jenny’s case, her long-term boyfriend dumped her just as she was relocating from New York to San Francisco. While her breakup grabbed our attention, the film reeled us in with its portrayal of female friendships and their significance. There’s nothing like a tub of ice cream and a group of girlfriends to get through a breakup.
8. Gone Girl
This one gives me the jitters in the craziest way. If you enjoy Amy’s devious methods of vengeance against Nick, we recommend devising a foolproof plan to avoid being caught.
Ps- If you’re in a relationship and are reading this, I recommend having a movie night with your significant other; at the very least, he’ll be aware of the risks that come with a break-up.
