5 Underrated Black Films for Valentine’s Day
by reni esan
Add these Indie Black Romances to your February watchlist
In my humble opinion, February is the best month of the year, or at least ranks in the Top Three. Switch up your Valentine’s Day and [US] Black History Month celebrations with these severely under-hyped romantic Black films! While turn-of-the-century classics like Love & Basketball (2000) and The Best Man (1999) are reliable watches, these indie gems will simultaneously make you swoon and ensure your friends (or partner) crown you the reigning household cinephile.
An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (2012)
In his directorial debut, Terence Nance (who you might recognize from Random Acts of Flyness or his collaborations with Andre 3000, TELFAR, and Earl Sweatshirt) melds documentary with animation and fiction to explore a quixotic artist’s ruminations on love, life, and friendship after a beautiful woman stands him up. I adored the gorgeous animation, the skillful transitions between art styles, and our protagonist’s moments of stinging emotional clarity. His monologue provides an honest reflection on the contemporary dating scene, including the sort of radical self-awareness that I’ve rarely experienced from a cishet man and I honestly might never again.
Rent An Oversimplification of Her Beauty for $3.99 on Apple TV or Fandango At Home.
Pariah (2011)
This emotional drama directed by Dee Rees follows Alike, a 17-year-old Black teenager slowly embracing her identity as a butch lesbian. Amidst arguments with her mother and a budding romance with a church friend, Alike stares down the yawning maw of adulthood in a visually fascinating coming-of-age movie. In 2022, the US Library of Congress selected Pariah for preservation in the National Film Registry due to its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. It is the first narrative feature film from the 2010s chosen for this honor. Like a few other films in this list, Pariah is not strictly a romance, however, it does explore significant romantic themes. Pariah’s presence on this list highlights the shameful lack of Black Queer films in Hollywood that fulfill the singular qualification of romance—that it ends with a ‘Happily Ever After’ for the couple. It does, however, end optimistically for our protagonist.
Rent Pariah for $3.99 on Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes, and Fandango At Home.
Daughters of the Dust (1991)
Daughters of the Dust is one of the most iconic films in Black film history. Set in 1902, it tells the story of three generations of Gullah Geechee women in the Peazant family as they prepare to migrate off Saint Helena Island, out of the Southern United States, and up North. Julie Dash pulls off an enormous feat with this film, and not just because I fell in love with it at first watch. From its non-linear storytelling to the luxurious visuals and its exploration of Gullah culture—an essential ethnic subgroup in African American history—Daughters of the Dust deserves your time and attention.
Stream Daughters of the Dust for free on TUBI or rent it for $3.99 on Google Play, Amazon, and Fandango At Home.
Premature (2019)
On a summer night in Harlem, 17-year-old poet Ayanna meets Isaiah, a charming music producer who just moved to the city. When their passionate age-gap romance gives way to jealousy, suspicion, and all-too-real consequences, Ayanna must confront the complexities of the adult world—whether she is ready or not. I particularly appreciated the strength of Zora Howard’s performance as Ayanna and the film’s visual communication of the three senses it could not include: taste, smell, and touch.
Stream or rent Premature on Fubo or Paramount+ with their 7-day free trial.
Just Wright (2010)
Queen Latifah stuns in the only film on this list that premiered in theatres. This forced proximity workplace romance follows Leslie, a physical therapist, who falls in love with Scott, the professional basketball player she’s assisting. Just Wright hits all the beats you expect from a 2010 romcom with Queen Latifah’s signature blend of humour and warmth. It’s perfect for a cozy girl’s night or a date night which might eventually turn into more . . .
Rent Just Wright for $3.99 on Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes, and Fandango At Home.
I hope you enjoy these films—this month and year round. It’s always a delight to watch movies at the exact time you were meant to. I hope I’ve played a role in exposing you to your next favorite film. Happy Black History Month and Happy Valentine’s Day!