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For cynics, Valentine's Day is pretty rubbish. All those tired, over-played rom coms? Blergh.

But don't despair. There are plenty of romantic movies out there for you too -- tales of love and desire that won't have you immediately rolling your eyes or running for front door.

Here's a bunch, from us to you. Love stories that are nice to look at and 100 percent likely to warm your cold, cold, heart at this loved-up time of year. Prepare the tissues! There will be tears.

Take This Waltz

Sarah Polley might be best-known as an actress, but she's an adept director too. Take anti-romantic comedy, Take This Waltz.

Featuring Seth Rogen as a dorky husband and the wonderful Michelle Williams as a woman struggling with important romantic decisions, this is a stoic classic worth a watch. If for no other reason than to revel in its weird dialogue.

Belle

If BBC's lauded Pride And Predjudice miniseriesis just a bit too over the top for you, then you'd do well to check out Belle, a historical romance drama based on real life figure, Dido Elizabeth Belle.

In Amma Asante's film, Belle is a woman of colour living in the repressed 18th century Britain. She begins a taboo relationship with well-to-do Englishman John Davinier, but in the process is forced to contest with a culture that views her as inherently lesser.

Wuthering Heights

Forget about Kate Bush: Andrea Arnold's gritty adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic injects a strong vein of social awareness into the work, while ignoring the naff nonsense that's defined previous versions.

Rather than being stiff Victorian lovers, in this version Heathcliff and Catherine are a fiery and formidable couple, and the film has a wind-blasted intensity all of its own. Sweet little period romance this is not.

Somersault

Above all else,Somersault, an Australian classic helmed by auteur Cate Shortland, is simply staggering to look at. The romantic drama has a wintry, distinct feel which greatly enhances its admittedly bare bones story, a love affair between headstrong young runaway Heidi (Abbie Cornish) and troubled young man Joe (Sam Worthington.)

This is one best enjoyed with the lights turned down low, a glass of red in hand.

Everyone Else

Maren Ade's short comedy Everyone Else isa caustic yet endearing look at a relationship on the skids. Check it out, but be warned: This one will have you cringing, albeit in the best possible way.

But I'm A Cheerleader

There's a reason Jamie Babbit's But I'm A Cheerleaderis regarded as a queer classic: The biting satirical comedy is gushing with incredible one-liners and the production design is on point.

It's also an incredibly touching flick, and not without it's fair share of sappiness. Sorry, can't win 'em all.

Toute Une Nuit

Director Chantal Akerman was a much needed feminist voice in movies, and her stark, beautiful films captured lust and love with an unflinching eye.

Toute Une Nuit is a super stripped down look at a single night in Paris, as a collection of strangers step in and out of each other's lives, and each other's bedrooms. The plot is ultra minimal, but it's also really heartfelt.

The Piano

Given New Zealand's Jane Campion is such a master at capturing love stories in a powerful, off-beat way, pretty much any of her films could make this list.

But it's The Pianothat really deserves a Valentine's Day watch, thanks to its beautiful setting, unique narrative, and an adorable performance from a very young Anna Paquin.

The film sees a young non-verbal woman (Helen Hunt) and her daughter become embroiled in the life of a fierce local, George Baines (Harvey Keitel). It also boasts a great soundtrack. Blast this tune and see if it doesn't move you.

Yes

Conceived as a response to the rise of Islamophobia following 9/11, Sally Potter's Yesis a stunning call for acceptance and love that never once descends into cliches.

It's also distinctly unusual, given the entirety of the film's dialogue is written in verse. Although a little jarring, before long the dialogue quickly works to add weight to the touching narrative; an account of an affair between an American woman (Joan Allen) and a Middle-Eastern chef (Simon Abkarian.)

Boys Don't Cry

While Kimberly Pierce's Boys Don't Cry is definitely a touching love story, it's far from your fluffy fairy tale. It's the story of a young trans man, Brandon Teena (Hillary Swank) and his doomed relationship with small-town girl Lana (Chloe Sevigny.)

Just come into this one ready to have your heart absolutely obliterated.

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