A Vincent Gallo Valentine

The importance of Vincent Gallo’s films lies in their unflinching exploration of the complexities of love, loneliness, and self-doubt. Gallo’s protagonists often feel detached from mainstream society—misfits in their own right—and their relationships are messy, flawed, and, at times, unsettling. There is a profound honesty in his approach to romantic and sexual relationships that challenges traditional portrayals of love in film.

In many ways, Gallo’s work offers a more nuanced exploration of love and desire than the typical glossy depictions. His films do not shy away from the darker or more awkward moments of intimacy. Whether it’s the emotional disconnection that often underpins sexual encounters or the deep-seated pain that comes with unrequited love, Gallo confronts these emotions head-on, refusing to sanitize them for the audience. They offer a glimpse into love’s vulnerabilities—the way it can both save and destroy us, often simultaneously.

The Brown Bunny, Buffalo 66, and Trouble Every Day are some of the most unconventional romantic films ever made. They reflect love in its most honest and raw form. Spend your Valentine’s Day with Roxy Cinema and the films of Vincent Gallo.

BUFFALO 66

Perhaps Gallo’s most celebrated work, Buffalo ’66 is a darkly comic yet deeply melancholy exploration of loneliness, obsession, and self-worth. Gallo stars as Billy Brown, a man recently released from prison who kidnaps a woman, played by Christina Ricci, to pretend to be his wife and to impress his dysfunctional parents. The film’s surreal, off-kilter romance feels like a desperate attempt at connection in a world where the rules of love seem bent, broken, or entirely absent.

The film’s underlying themes of alienation and emotional trauma set the stage for a Valentine’s viewing that isn’t about romantic idealism, but rather about the real messiness of human connection. The way Billy and Layla (Ricci) navigate their forced relationship is both heartbreaking and strangely tender, making Buffalo ’66 a film about the possibility of finding love in the most unlikely of places.

THE BROWN BUNNY

One of the most divisive films in recent memory, infamous for its raw portrayal of a man’s descent into despair and obsession. Gallo wrote, directed, and starred in the film as Bud Clay, a motorcycle racer who embarks on a cross-country journey while grappling with the memory of his former lover, played by Chloë Sevigny. The film’s pace is slow, almost meditative, but underneath the languid sequences, there’s a deep and painful exploration of grief and emotional numbness.

The most talked-about aspect of the film is its explicit sex scene between Gallo and Sevigny, which serves as an act of profound vulnerability. It’s a moment that challenges viewers to confront the intersection of love, sex, and intimacy in ways that are uncomfortable, yet deeply human. The Brown Bunny is the kind of film that makes you think about love long after the credits roll—a perfect choice for couples who want to explore the deeper, less-pleasant sides of relationships.

TROUBLE EVERY DAY

A film that defies easy categorization. Directed by the visionary French filmmaker Claire Denis, it is often referred to as a “horror film,” though that label only scratches the surface of what the movie actually represents. Released in 2001, Trouble Every Day is a provocative, unsettling exploration of desire, obsession, and the destructive power of human intimacy. Its importance, however, transcends its genre, as it presents a challenging, often uncomfortable, but ultimately deeply profound meditation on the intersections of violence, sexuality, and identity. The film starts Vincent Gallo and Beatrice Dalle.

Grab your sweetie and get some tickets now to spend Valentine’s Day weekend with the films of Vincent Gallo.