I LOVE romantic comedies, always have. They’re silly, funny and ultimately have a happy ending, no matter the hijinks that happen along the way. Rom-coms aren’t universally superficial. The ending of the movie being guaranteed doesn’t mean the middle can’t be exciting or enjoyable. Rom-coms are social commentary, freezing a decade or cultural moment on film.
If you’re looking to laugh and cringe with friends, I recommend “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003). Kate Hudson stars as a journalist trying to date a man in the clingiest, unsexiest ways possible to show her readers what not to do. Matthew McConaughey plays opposite her, trying to prove he can make a woman fall in love with him in order to score a marketing account. With one half working to ruin the relationship and the other desperately attempting to save it, funny and awkward moments abound.
Another classic for group laughs is “The Proposal” (2009), featuring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. When a Canadian immigrant publishing executive (Bullock) faces deportation, she proposes to her assistant (Reynolds) to stay in the country. Bullock’s uptight demeanor sits in contrast to Reynolds’ witty, casual attitude. Featuring Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson and Betty White in the cast, this movie will entertain you very well.
If the style of clever humor appeals to you, there are many options beyond “The Proposal.” The rom-com genre does banter very well. If you’re looking for more of this, check out “Leap Year” (2010). Starring Amy Adams and many Welsh accents, an American woman travels across Britain to propose to her boyfriend (Adam Scott). According to Irish tradition, women can propose to men on leap day. When Adams’ plane lands in Wales, she is given a ride by a grumpy Welsh man, played by Matthew Goode. Practically everything goes wrong in their journey, which Goode is happy to make fun of, to the chagrin of Adams.
For those looking for something more heartfelt, check out “Always Be My Maybe” (2019). This one is great for watching with a partner, boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse. It tells the story of childhood best friends reuniting after 16 years. Written and acted by Ali Wong and Randall Park, two comedians, “Always Be My Maybe” is hilarious. Wong is a celebrity chef; Park works in his dad’s heat and air company and raps in his band “Hello Peril.”
If you or your partner are media comm majors, “Watching the Detectives” (2007) might be more your style. Cillian Murphy plays a film aficionado, running a video rental store, when Lucy Liu drops into his life. Murphy references many classic films you could keep a tally of how many you understand! Aside from the movie mentions, the 2007 fashion is its own treat.
Speaking of capturing a specific cultural moment, “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) does so with the 90s. There are many great 20th-century rom-coms, and this is my favorite. A retelling of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” it follows two sisters, Kat (Julia Stiles) and Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) Stratford. Their strict father decides that Bianca, the younger sister, can’t date until Kat does. Bianca’s issue is that Kat is abrasive, who would date her? Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) wants to date Bianca so enlists the help of infamous bad boy Patrick (Heath Ledger) to date Kat. The pairing of a bullheaded feminist and a boy who burns things for fun makes for a couple who becomes more than their harsh exteriors for the other. This movie is full of fun montages and love confessions, heartful and sarcastic.
And finally, one of the best rom-coms of all time: “When Harry Met Sally” (1989). I am a firm believer that this movie should be studied and lauded as much as any Christopher Nolan film is, if not more. Its dialog and editing is phenomenal. The film follows Harry and Sally, who meet by driving to Chicago together after graduating college. They disagree if men and women can ever be just friends, a discussion that continues throughout their friendship. They get into and out of serious relationships, leaning on each other for support. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in the roles of Harry and Sally respectfully, play off each other beautifully. The soundtrack is filled with jazz and some of the most memorable scenes are set during autumn, making this one of the coziest movies ever made.
Whichever movie or movies you plan on turning on this weekend, I hope you enjoy them.
Photo courtesy of John Clifford.
