Unlike most people my age, I did not grow up watching romantic comedies at sleepovers or on the couch with my mom. My mom was more of an 80s romance junkie herself, so I do consider myself an expert in that regard. Because of this, I find myself nearly incapable of enjoying the genre, as I have no nostalgia attached to any of the films, which is half the reason people watch them in the first place. Rom coms aren't widely loved for their set design or clever lighting, they're loved because they're all kinda bad. Watching them for the first time as an adult, this was hard to put aside.
The bottom line is, I came to college having never seen a single rom com. I know this is jarring for some of you to hear, so I'll cut to the chase.
I would like to point out that I chose rom coms from the golden age of the genre specifically because they are the most beloved and recognizable. They are also the ones people give me the most crap for when I say I've never seen them. So that's why most of these are from the early 2000's, if you were wondering.
I decided to erect this blog in hopes of educating myself on the fine art of the ideal rom com. I have studied the genre closely and came up with what I believe to be a fool proof rating system. I realize how this sounds, as I have just admitted to being utterly clueless about the genre's quirks and charms, but hear me out.
Firstly, I have compiled a list of some of the main details that make a rom com a rom com, and I will be ranking nine films based on their inclusion and execution of each of these details:
A makeover/shopping montage
A musical number
Dramatic kiss scene
Next, I will mainly be judging these films on how well they are able to balance the romance and the comedy. Ideally, there should be an equal amount of both, but that is obviously not the case for everyone on my list.
Then, there is the quality of the romance and the comedy. Does the humor make me smile, or does it make me laugh out loud? Does the romance make me wish I could teleport through the screen or does it put me to sleep?
Finally, does it make me cringe?
I know this should be a negative thing, but I've found that every good rom com has those scenes that make you want to dig a tunnel into your couch and never emerge because you're so embarrassed on the character's behalf.
One last thing before you proceed: there a few controversial takes here. If you see a film listed here that you do not perceive to be a rom com, do not write it off as an uneducated mistake. Give the post a read and find out for yourself, my friend.
In the end, only one film will be crowned the ultimate rom com by me, someone who has seen most of these for the first time ever this month. Thanks for joining me on this journey, please fasten your seatbelts. Maybe grab a tissue or two.
Comments