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Romantic Comedies

Sabrina-WilderSo apparently, winter is the time when we especially want a nice snuggly romantic comedy.  To me, this makes heaps of sense (warm fuzzy feeling = warmth period), but being generally attracted to romance in general, I watch my rom coms in all kinds of weather.  After all, they work when it’s sunny.  They work when it’s rainy.  Whether it’s cloudy and dry, or blistery and cold, I love romantic comedies.

I’m pretty stringent, though, in my requirements, and I stick very closely to the words “romantic” and “comedy.”  Mate, if it’s not funny, it’s not a comedy.  And romantic is not synonymous with sappy.  I have to simultaneously not gag and be able to see this couple together ten years in the future.  And as with romance novels, I find it pretty hard to enjoy a romantic comedy if I don’t sympathize with the protagonist, especially if we’re talking about a heroine.

The best romantic comedies are 90 minutes of zinger and fun, and just like the best romance novels, they leave me happy and feeling good about life and love.  With that in mind, here is a list of my favourite romantic comedies, in no particular order:

  • Never Been Kissed (1995) – Drew Barrymore is so loveable, so adorable, despite her massive slip-ups and hang-ups, that I watch it again and again to see her smile.  And even though there are some really questionable ethical boundaries crossed in the romance, hey, it’s a movie. 
  • The Shop Around the Corner (1940) – You’ve Got Mail is good, but Shop Around the Corner is better.  The original “I love the guy I hate, particularly since I didn’t know they were one and the same,” with James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan.
  • The Truth About Cats and Dogs (1996) – The world needs more Janeane Garofalo.  She’s a splendid actress and here makes a great heroine: Wise-cracking, smart, a little insecure, but not a whole lot self-pitying.  The plot hits all my buttons: Average-looking radio host likes cute guy, who likes her gorgeous neighbor (Uma Thurman) but who likes talking to Janeane Garofalo even more.  Fabulous.
  • Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) – A friend once observed that the difference between Bridget Jones and Shopaholic’s Becky Bloomwood is that although both heroines make fantastic, cringe-worthy mistakes, Becky is fundamentally dishonest about her faults, whereas Bridget acknowledges them and tries to fix them.  That, in a nutshell, is why I love Bridget Jones.  And Colin Firth is just a bonus.
  • Sabrina (1954) – Nothing wrong with the Julia Ormond version, but it’s not nearly as light-hearted and sparkly as the original.  Perhaps the comparisons aren’t quite fair, though.  To me, no one can replace Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden. 
  • About a Boy (2002) – Hugh Grant at his most selfish, and to me, at his most likable.  His character is the ultimate couch potato, living off of the royalties of his father’s one-hit-wonder.  The real draw is his interaction with a twelve-year-old boy, but there’s also a  nice romance with Rachel Weisz.  I sometimes wonder if she would ever truly accept him for who is he, but I think the film sets up his transformation with convinction, and I can believe that he has grown up enough. 

There are many other comedies, romantic or not, that I really like, but I didn’t include them here for one reason or another.  I will mention When Harry Met Sally, which I know is defined as a romantic comedy and which I love a lot.  But to me, it’s not romantic because I cannot see Harry and Sally lasting.  I really can’t.  I think eventually they’ll divorce; hopefully it would be amicable, but I think she’s too neurotic and he’s too cynical to make it together.

Now it’s your turn: Which romantic comedies are on your list?  What are your requirements for a good romantic comedy?

– Jean AAR

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01/31/2012 11:09 am

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Linda A
Linda A
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11/08/2011 2:11 pm

Loved, loved, loved many of your suggested movies. Cary Grant is one of my favorites and I own some of his movies that have already mentioned. One that may be dated but is lots and lots of fun is The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. Teen age Shirley Temple and the dry wit of Myrna Loy steal the show. Listen carefully to catch all of the hilarious dialogue in this movie.

Another is one my all time favorites not mentined here and is not completely a romantic comedy but it does have some funny moments. The very romantic story of a Labor Day picnic and a chance meeting brings together two great actors in Picnic with Kim Novak and William Holden. I love the 50’s setting – it brings me back to my younger childhood years. To fall madly in love in one day….On my!

Thanks for all the suggested movies – I’m making a list right now.

Linda

Lynn M
Lynn M
Guest
11/07/2011 9:17 am

“”The Wedding Singer”” with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. Great retro movie for those of us who grew up in the 80s.

Joanne Clancy
Joanne Clancy
Guest
11/06/2011 7:36 am

How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Le Divorce and any Meg Ryan movie are my all-time favourite romantic comedies.

Kathy W.
Kathy W.
Guest
11/04/2011 8:17 pm

I’m having a senior moment here…the one with Meg Ryan and Hugh Blackman…time travel…can’t believe I can’t remember the title!!! It was more romance and less comedy, but still a favorite.
Princess Bride
Roxanne
You’ve Got Mail
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Goodbye Girl
Howl’s Moving Castle

Jean Wan
Jean Wan
Guest
Reply to  Kathy W.
11/04/2011 8:40 pm

Kathy W.: I’m having a senior moment here…the one with Meg Ryan and Hugh Blackman…time travel…can’t believe I can’t remember the title!!! It was more romance and less comedy, but still a favorite.

Kate and Leopold?

Theresa
Theresa
Guest
11/04/2011 2:50 pm

The Truth About Cats and Dogs reminded me very much of Roxanne (Steve Martine and Darryl Hannah). Loved that one too.

Jean Wan
Jean Wan
Guest
11/04/2011 6:06 am

@Kami – I considered the Jane Austens (P&P, S&S), but ended up forgoing them on this particular list because quite frankly, I think they’re in a category of their own. Love S&S with Alan Rickman. Sigh.

@Susan – I’ve never heard of this Father Goose with Leslie Caron. After I saw American in Paris I saw more of her movies, in the hopes she’d be dancing again, but she never did, much, and none of them really struck my fancy. I may have to check this one out…Cary Grant notwithstanding. :)

@Mrs. Fairfax – Since I love J. Garofalo, I’m definitely checking out Matchmaker. Thanks for the rec!

Regina
Regina
Guest
11/03/2011 9:15 pm

Love My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

While You Were Sleeping.

Susan
Susan
Guest
11/03/2011 7:43 pm

Philadelphia Story – my favorite
Princess Bride – second favorite
Cannery Row – Nick Nolte, Deborah Winger
Some Like it Hot – Tony Curtis & Marilyn Monroe
Pillow Talk – Doris Day, Rock Hudson
That Touch of Mink – Doris Day, Cary Grant
Father Goose – Cary Grant, Leslie Caron
Operation Petticoat – Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, and I forgot the two women who played their love interests.

Carol Lowe
Carol Lowe
Guest
11/03/2011 5:39 pm

I love Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in Notting Hill. I love the birthday party with his crazy family and the end on the park bench and everything in between.

Mrs. Fairfax
Mrs. Fairfax
Guest
11/03/2011 5:06 am

Totally agree on all the Cary Grant and Tracy & Hepburn movies. While I think the absolute last thing the world needs is more Janeane Garofalo in real life, one of my very favorite Rom Coms is The Matchmaker with her and David O’Hara.

Katja
Katja
Guest
11/03/2011 5:04 am

Only You with Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. is one of my favourites which never appears on any lists.

My husband and I even went on holiday to Italy because of watching this movie.

Cindy
Cindy
Guest
11/02/2011 8:16 pm

The Warren Beatty/Julie Christie version of “”Heaven Can Wait”” is definitely on my list! I’d also include Disney’s “”Beauty and the Beast”” and I adore “”The Scarlett Pimpernel”” with Leslie Howard – not really a comedy, but it had some funny scenes.
“”While You Were Sleeping”” would probably be my number one. I agree with the comment above about “”Sleepless in Seattle”” not being a true romance. You don’t really fall in love with someone because you heard his voice on the radio. You fall in love over his brother’s hospital bed. Duh!
Agree with lots of the movies listed above too. Good topic!

Karen W.
Karen W.
Guest
11/02/2011 6:53 pm

“”Barefoot In The Park”” with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

“”The Goodbye Girl”” with Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason.

“”Pretty In Pink.””

I could go on and on. :)

Kami
Kami
Guest
11/02/2011 6:04 pm

“”Born Yesterday””, the black and white version, with Judy Holliday and William Holden. Love how she just cuts to the chase “”Let me ask you: Are you one of these talkers or would you be interested in a little action?””

“”Sense & Sensibility””. Sigh. Colonel Brandon. So steadfast. So dreamy.

“”Knocked Up””. Hilarious and sometimes raunchy, but sweet, too.

“”Overboard””. My comfort movie. Totally not PC, but I don’t care.

“”Wall-E””. The sweetest movie I’ve ever seen.

Susan/DC
Susan/DC
Guest
11/02/2011 5:18 pm

“”The Princess Bride”” — enough said.

Jean Wan
Jean Wan
Guest
11/02/2011 3:56 pm

Re Cary Grant – I deliberated. I really, really did, especially “”His Girl Friday””. But the plain truth is Cary Grant does nothing for me. Nada. I don’t get the suaveness, and elegance, and romance of his characters. I’ve watched His Girl Friday, Philadelphia Story, Charade, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Bringing Up Baby, and in every single one, I can’t help thinking that I would like it so much more if I wasn’t so blah about Cary Grant.

Re Love Actually – I really like parts of it, but ultimately I think it’s too uneven for me to put it on my personal list of fave romantic comedies. I like several of the plot lines (the Emma Thompson-Alan Rickman, just to watch them, and the naked body stand-ins), but overall….not so much.

Re Sleepless in Seattle – Another one that ends up on lists, but one that I’m not sure qualifies as a romantic comedy, personally. I think the concept is just a wee bit too out there for me to buy into.

@Victoria – I never got around to watching Pat and Mike! I really have to.

@Sandy – I totally forgot Singin’ in the Rain. And yes, I think About a Boy is definitely underrated.

@Carrie – I really like Howl’s Moving Castle, and the sweet (and very rated G romance) is definitely part of it. I like that Hayao Miyazaki manages to stick a romance in every one of his movies, even if they’re not strictly speaking, “”romances””. But still.

Carrie
Carrie
Guest
11/02/2011 2:43 pm

Sleepless in Seattle is a cute movie, but I’ve never considered it much of a romance because we never see the main couple interact until the last 5 min. While You Were Sleeping is a family favorite. I could second many of the others mentioned, but ones that haven’t been listed yet are the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma, which was filmed more as a comedy than the Kate Beckinsale version (which is also wonderful), The Holiday (Kate Winslet, et al) and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

I also enjoyed the following with a few reservations:
Catch and Release
Intolerable Cruelty
Sweet Home Alabama
And if you can get past the anime feel, Howl’s Moving Castle has a sweet romance.

Renee
Renee
Guest
11/02/2011 1:48 pm

Great column. I love romantic comedies too and totally agree that the list is not complete without Cary Grant. I realize its more of a comedy-drama but I would include the Philadelphia Story with Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart as well. Another vote for His Girl Friday, and Bringing up Baby. The slapstick humor in Bringing up Baby is hilarious.

Patty Champion
Patty Champion
Guest
11/02/2011 12:53 pm

Have to vote for the Cary Grant movie “”His girl Friday.”” Did you notice how little editing there is? The back-and-forth between the two main characters are zingers!

They don’t make movies like that anymore.

MEK
MEK
Guest
11/02/2011 11:28 am

TEACHER’S PET with Clark Gable and Doris Day. His a hardbitten journalist with no education, just experience and she’s a journalism professor who only knows theory – plenty of fireworks – great film!

Jen
Jen
Guest
11/02/2011 11:24 am

For sure, Sleepless in Seattle and While You Were Sleeping are ones that I could watch over and over! And I disagree about When Harry Met Sally — I think that with all they have been through with each other that they will make it. They didn’t go into the relationship not knowing the neurotic-ness of each other. I must see some of these older movies that are mentioned though.

Lydia
Lydia
Guest
11/02/2011 10:58 am

The American President with Micheal Douglas and Annette Bening.
When they are dancing at the dinner is one of the most romantic scenes that I always remember.
And the last 5 minutes of the move are spectacular. “”l lost two women in my life….””

Lydia

Maria D.
Maria D.
Guest
11/02/2011 10:52 am

I also really like these romantic comedies:

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Blind Date with Bruce Willis
The Wedding Date
It Happened One Night with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert

Tee
Tee
Guest
11/02/2011 9:56 am

Ladyhawke – Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer
Moonstruck – Cher and Nicholas Cage
Love With the Proper Stranger (old movie, but great) – Steve McQueen and Natalie Wood
Last of the Mohicans – Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe
Father Goose (one of Maggie’s picks) – Cary Grant and Leslie Caron
While You Were Sleeping – Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock

Tee
Tee
Guest
Reply to  Tee
11/02/2011 10:06 am

Oops, I just realized this column was about romantic comedies, so some of the ones I listed don’t count. Take out:

Ladyhawke (although it had its funny moments)
Last of the Mohicans

Lori
Lori
Guest
11/02/2011 9:52 am

I am going to have to get some of the these movies from our classics rental store!
One that hasn’t been mentioned is Bollywood/Hollywood which is also a musical, but a great rom/com.
At the two ends of the age spectrum, 10 Things I Hate About You and It’s Complicated are a couple of my favourites.

Jane AAR
Jane AAR
Guest
11/02/2011 9:32 am

Love Actually is one of my favorite movies of all time. Interstingly, given my love for romance novels, I generally have ilttle patience for rom-coms. they’re cute sometimes, but other times annoying and superficial. I think 27 Dresses epitomizes this. It’s decent up until the very end, when she does that stupid panicked run across town to make a public declaration of love. All of it totallyunnecessary and over-dramatic.

AAR Sandy
AAR Sandy
Guest
11/02/2011 9:27 am

Forgot to add: I love all the movies you mentioned, Jean — especially About a Boy. I think that’s an underrated gem.

AAR Sandy
AAR Sandy
Guest
11/02/2011 9:24 am

Singing in the Rain is a favorite of mine — funny, romantic, and great music and singing, too! I love all the movies you mentioned, but would add the Jane Eyre adaption of last year (I am one of those book lovers). Have to admit, I can’t stand Love, Actually. It struck me as kind of deliberately manipulative.

trish
trish
Guest
11/02/2011 9:09 am

I agree with Victoria that Cary Grant’s romantic comedies MUST be on any list of the best. Not only did he make great films with Hepburn and Russell, his pairings with Irene Dunn were absolute magic.

Some of my very fave romantic comedies are Doris Day’s films of the late 50’s early 60’s with co-stars like Rock Hudson, James Garner (yum!) and even one with Cary Grant. I love PILLOW TALK and LOVER COME BACK with Hudson, and MOVE OVER DARLING and THE THRILL OF IT ALL with Garner. The chemistry is great, the dialogue is snappy, funny and often sly. Incidentally, MOVE OVER DARLING is a remake of the classic Grant/Dunn film MY FAVORITE WIFE.

To me, today’s romantic comedies can’t compare to these classics films.

LeeB.
LeeB.
Guest
11/02/2011 8:51 am

I also enjoyed Bride and Prejudice. What a fun movie!

Love love love Love Actually!

Also another vote for While You were Sleeping.

And another fave of mine is French Kiss with Meg Ryan. Kevin Kline is great as a Frenchman and the setting is in Paris and the south of France.

Carol
Carol
Guest
11/02/2011 7:55 am

I love The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds!

maggie b.
maggie b.
Guest
11/02/2011 7:53 am

Bride and Prejudice with Aishwarya Rai is one of my favorite rom coms. When in Rome, while not a favorite, is definitely sweet and funny. I really like You Again, which came out a couple years ago.

Father Goose is excellent. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn aka Goody Two-shoes and the Filthy Beast. Victoria is right, no list is complete without Mr. Grant.

maggie b.

Leigh
Leigh
Guest
11/02/2011 7:46 am

I fell in love with Love in The Afternoon with Audry Hepburn and Gary Cooper. Realistic no, but so fun watching the naive young girl tame the desolate American.

While probably not true romantic comedy because not everything ends happily I laugh every time I watch Love Actually and am really touched that Colin Firth and his love interest learn each others language.

Still on the Hugh Grant, Music and Lyrics with Drew Berrymore. Corny, and slow in places, I didn’t like it at first. Drew Berrymore’s acting seemed flat, but it just grew on me especially Hugh as an aging pop star. His song at the end is the perfect grovel.

Miss Congeniality is another movie that is not quite a romantic comedy, but it has enough (if I don’t think about the sequel) for me. Love how Sandra Bullock wows Benjamin Bratt. Every woman fantasy to make “”the Guy”” mouth drop.

Victoria
Victoria
Guest
11/02/2011 5:39 am

Can one have a list of romantic comedies without Cary Grant? I’d vote for His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby, and Holiday as my favorites. The rapid-fire dialogue with Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday is unbelievably good. The on-screen charisma with Katharine Hepburn in Holiday and Bringing Up Baby … the silly leopard noises … the pratfalls, wearing a fluffy pink bathrobe … the yapping dog and the missing dinosaur bone … bliss.

Two more Katharine Hepburns: Pat and Mike, and Desk Set. Every librarian I’ve ever known loves Desk Set, in which Hepburn is the head librarian who is convinced that Spencer Tracy is bringing in a computer system that will eliminate her job. Wonderful 50s clothes and sets, and the enormous mainframe computer called Emmie, with bells, whistles, and beeps which almost steals the whole film. Pat and Mike is a film about a woman who is great at most sports and her manager is of course Spencer Tracy.

And then no list of romantic comedies is complete imho without Sleepless in Seattle and While You Were Sleeping. The young Bill Pullman … oh yes.