I love rom-coms! As a female, it's kind of in my nature to veer towards the romantic/emotional side of life. I am also a hopeless romantic and I tend to gush over cheesiness. Where better to find cheesiness than in a romantic comedy? The dictionary definition of a romantic comedy is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily." I
I particularly enjoy the comedies as opposed to dramas because I enjoy the humorous side of romance rather than the dramatic (I get enough of that in real life). I love a good laugh and cheesy, happy endings. (That's why I love Disney movies). This is the one time I accept cliches in movies because there's something about chick flicks that they just aren't right without a certain formula.
I'm here to list off a couple of my personal favorite romantic comedies and why.
Ever After
A more realistic take on the Cinderella story. Set in 16th century France, Danielle is forced into servitude by her stepmother after her father dies. Her luck begins to turn around after meeting the heir to the throne, Prince Henry and he is instantly smitten.
Looking at the poster, it looks like a total romantic drama, but it's really not. This is one of the funniest movies. I love how clever it is. It's seriously my favorite Cinderella story put on the screen. I love how true to life it is and I love all the characters. It's so quotable: "There was a bee.", "I shall deny you the throne and... live forever!" I also love that it takes a story that everybody knows so well and makes it so fresh and interesting. Seriously, great movie!
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Based on Jane Austen's novel, Elizabeth is the second of five daughters and her mother is eager to marry all of them off as soon as possible. A rich young man, Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood and instantly takes a liking to Elizabeth's older sister, Jane. Meanwhile, Elizabeth takes a great disliking to his stuffy friend, Mr. Darcy.
This is a movie I have seen a thousand times and will never tire of. I can quote this one probably from beginning to end (I've never really tried, it's pretty long). This is one of my all-time favorite stories! I could write whole essays one why this story is so great. The characters, the comedy, the social commentary, the relatable situations, the quotability, the list is endless! So much love!
The Proposal
Margaret is editor and chief of a major book publishing company. Andrew is her assistant who does absolutely anything for her (even though he hates her) in hopes of a promotion. When Margaret is about to lose her job because she is being deported, she takes advantage of Andrew's loyalty and pretends that they are engaged.
I remember when I first saw this one, I wasn't all THAT impressed, but then the more I watched it, the more I liked it. This is one of those movies that you'll hear my family quoting all the time (perhaps some of these sound familiar): "Congratulations. I'm a hundred years old.", "I don't understand! Why are you wet!?", "Alaskaaaaa?") Ryan Reynolds is always great with those deadpan deliveries and always gotta love Sandra Bullock. Hilarious movie!
She's the Man
Based on William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Viola's soccer team is cut and when the coach doesn't let her try out for the boys' team, she transfers to a rival boarding school under the guise of her twin brother (who is ditching to play with his band) to tryout for their boys' team.
I remember one of my friends talking about this when we were in high school (she was in love with it), but I never really got around to watching it until I was in college. I fell in love at first sight. This one makes me die laughing every time. Again, with the quotes: "I've got a lifetime of knowledge.", "Do you like cheese?", "I've got to go change my... feet.", "When my eyes are closed, I see you for what you truly are which is UGLAAY!!!", "Viola darling, chew like you have a secret." Amanda Bynes is so great in this role. I couldn't even pick a favorite part. And young Channing Tatum, come on!
The Wedding Singer
Full of 80's nostalgia. Robbie is the greatest wedding singer in town, but when he gets stood up at his own wedding, he quits because he can no longer stand being around them. Meanwhile, he befriends a waitress Julia who is also getting married and helps her plan her upcoming nuptials.
This one is pretty close to the top of my list. I could just watch this one on repeat. There's something about it, I can't really put my finger on it. I think I love all the 80's stuff. I think it's funny that this movie did an 80's nostalgia setting when it was only made in 1998. That would be like making a movie today about 2002 (what weird traditions did we have in 2002?). The soundtrack is freakin' awesome! Of course, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's chemistry is always on point. This movie easily has one of the best endings I've ever seen in a rom-com. Love this one so much!
When In Rome
While attending her little sister's wedding in Rome, Beth plucks four coins out of the mystical "fountain of love." What she doesn't realize is that by doing so, the owners of these coins fall in love with her and pursue her all the way back home in hopes of earning her affections.
This movie is freakin' hilarious! All her suitors are so bizarre and whacky and go to such great lengths to get her attention. I laugh every time at all the same spots. This is another extremely quotable film: "This is crazy! I don't know whether to look at my own reflection or at you. That's how beautiful you are.", "This is going to be a serious blow to your self-esteem. Maybe you should sit down.", "Try being gorgeous and no one can see you!", "I remember, Brady, really clearly when you broke up with me in the Applebees.", "I got hit by a goat" "Oh my gosh! You hit a goat?" "No, the goat hit me." This movie cannot be explained, it must be seen to be appreciated.
While You Were Sleeping
Lucy is a lonely tramway worker who has a crush on a handsome passenger. One day, he is mugged and falls onto the tracks. After she saves his life and he falls into a coma, she is mistaken for his fiancee at the hospital. Because of many unfortunate circumstances, she is forced to go along with the lie.
Hands down, this is my favorite one on the list. In fact, this movie is in my top five favorite movies of all time. I just love it so much! I mean, I wouldn't say it's a particularly well-made movie or anything, but there's just something about it that really draws you in. The acting is super stellar though. The two leads have amazing chemistry. And then the quotes! This is a movie where every singe line is pure gold ("Joe Jr.'s still single" "Yeah, it's a shocker.", "Do I like jello???", "First I knocked 'em out of that nest with a rock" "Peter!" "Then I saved them" "Eww!", "He said that you were intimate" "Yeah, well he also said that he invented aluminum foil. He's delusional.") I can quote this thing from beginning to end flawlessly. I love every moment of this film.
You've Got Mail
Kathleen Kelly is a small bookstore owner who is about to be put out of business by big time company Fox Books owned by Joe Fox. The two of them begin a heated rivalry. What they don't know is that they already know each other over anonymous emails they've been sending each other and might be in love.
Another classic. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, mmm yes! I love all the irony and cleverness in this one. The comedy in this one is a lot more subtle than a lot of other rom-coms. I think it takes a couple viewings to really appreciate everything that's in there. There are some great lines that are said so quickly that you might miss them with just one viewing. This is another movie my family quotes a lot (not just my immediate family, but my extended family): "I am a lone reed.", "Patricia makes coffee nervous.", "How do you sleep at night?" "I use this wonderful over-the-counter drug, Ultradorm.", "Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?", "A hotdog is singing! You need quiet while a hotdog is singing!?", ""Remember when you thought Frank might be the Uni-bomber?" Great movie!
