For those who find Valentine’s Day unbearable without a good dose of cynicism, we have the perfect alternative to the straight-forward romantic fable. Chosen by our Discovery Young Ambassadors for its contemporary look at love, life and relationships, it is at turns bizarre, thought-provoking and captivating. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind follows Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) as they try to piece together their scattered experiences after undergoing a procedure to erase the painful memories of their relationship.

Michel Gondry’s languid and poetic direction (aided by an intriguing and intricate script by the brilliant Charlie Kaufman) creates a dreamlike world wherein we feel as lost and askew as the characters. Despite the surrealist approach, the film explores very human reactions to love and loss. A deep sense of melancholia runs throughout, but its cynicism is always tinged with romance. The ultimate oddball love story.