You’ve heard the story before…
Two people meet, feelings ignite and soon, other friends are forgotten. Routines intertwine, belongings are shared and eventually, emotions get in the way.
A break-up follows, often spurring a life evaluation, followed by a haircut. (Not necessarily in that order.)
During this time, an escape can symbolise a new beginning so bags are packed and plane tickets bought. Sometimes the best remedy for a broken heart is a break away. Here are five movies that demonstrate how a plane ticket may be the perfect tonic.
1. Under the Tuscan Sun
“Can you Star-69 Italy?”
This is probably the most recognisable line from Under the Tuscan Sun, a lovable movie where Francis (Diane Lane) leaves her old life behind for a ‘gay tour of Tuscany’ which turns into a permanent relocation in the Tuscan countryside. That and the screaming scene where Francis feels something creepy in her top and starts flailing to get it out, ending up semi topless and frazzled while the neighbours look on in amusement.
Taking a chance on a set of plane tickets and trusting in fate, Francis buys and then restores a decrepit Tuscan house with a group of eccentric neighbours and some charming Polish gentlemen. This movie makes you feel good, and there’s everything you would expect in a romantic, travel flick: heart flutters, heartbreak, humour, family quarrels and of course, plenty of Italian eye candy.
2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Peter just can’t catch a break. First, his girlfriend breaks up with him while he is standing in his birthday suit, and second, on his healing holiday in Hawaii, she turns up with her new, famous boyfriend Aldous Snow, played by Russell Brand. Forgetting Sarah Marshall goes through all the cringe-worthy details of a breakup, and Jason Segel makes an absolutely hilarious, yet sympathetic dumpee. Luckily for Peter, he meets another lass, Rachel (Mila Kunis), the concierge at the Hawaii hotel he is staying at.
After spending time with Rachel, Peter is conveniently distracted from his ex-girlfriend’s canoodling with Aldous, and realises that his relationship wasn’t even that good in the first place. There are puppets, songs, tears, unhealthy servings of cereal and plenty of laughs in this movie, as well as some pretty awesome views of the Hawaiian coastline. A tip from us: don’t watch this with an ex. Awkward.
3. Sex and the City
The first Sex and the City movie has most fans divided on whether the small screen show entirely worked on the big screen. But one thing’s for sure, all the classic SATC elements are present, including break-ups, tears and Manolo’s. We see the movie pick up where the series finale left us, Carrie and Mr Big decide to buy a penthouse apartment together and he proposes in her new closet. And just when you think the shoe queen has everything she ever wanted, in probably the most intense scene of the movie, Carrie throws her bouquet at Mr Big after he fails to show up at the wedding.
The petals from the bruised bouquet flutter to the NYC concrete and if looks could kill, even Charlotte would have murdered Big! With an extremely depressed Carrie in tow, the girls take the honeymoon that Big and Carrie should have had in Mexico. Carrie spends most of her time in bed sulking and starving while Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha drink it up by the pool. It isn’t until Charlotte has an ‘accident’ do we see Carrie start smiling again. Upon return from the ‘honey-moon’, Carrie hires an assistant and moves on with her life, more determined and brunette, than ever.
4. EuroTrip
EuroTrip is one of those movies where you can’t help but laugh at everything that happens. It’s about a group of mates and their adventures in Europe, a trip conceived after the main character, Scott is dumped by his promiscuous girlfriend. In search of a new love interest, broken-hearted Scott and his closest mates party through London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris. The song ‘Scotty doesn’t know’, sung by Matt Damon who is sporting some questionable tattoos, is definitely one of the highlights of this movie and even though it’s incredibly clichéd and stereotyped, you’ll be giggling, guffawing and grabbing your stomach by the end of it. Worth the laughs!
5. Eat Pray Love
A classic book, turned film that explores the way that travel aids in self discovery. Liz (Julia Roberts) changes her priorities in life, divorces her husband and decides to embark on a passionate journey around the world. She eats gelato and makes friends with expats in Italy, studies Yoga and meditates in India and falls in love and ride bicycles in Indonesia. Liz realises that even though she is a successful woman with a great job, in terms of following her travel dreams, she isn’t successful at all.
One of the best things about this story is that it shows that travel is achievable and beneficial at all stages of life- not just after you leave home and finish university. EPL will have you reassessing your work/life/love balance, and booking tickets in no time.