Love, Laughter, and Life Lessons: In Defense of Rom-Coms

          Over break, I watched Anyone But You, a humorous new romance I would recommend to anyone. Watching this film made me contemplate rom-coms as a whole. Though they are a classic part of the film industry and some of the most enjoyable and successful movies each year, rom-coms, or romantic comedies, rarely achieve critical acclaim and are often overlooked. Yet, rom-coms serve many important roles. They allow the viewer to romanticize their seemingly mundane life and are perfect for those looking for a fun, quick watch. Since rom-coms tend to be less than two hours long, they are a brisk and lively option in a world filled with three-hour-long dramas. I’m not ashamed to admit that my favorite movie of all time is the rom-com When Harry Met Sally, narrowly beating The Godfather.

          To demonstrate the value of rom-coms, I will analyze the similar themes they often share that, if executed right, can lead to the perfect love story. First, most classic rom-coms have a beautiful, smart, and usually career-focused female lead who is unsatisfied with her life. A perfect example of this is Andie Anderson from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, as she looks for fulfillment and importance in her job as a journalist. In a typical rom-com, this smart heroine is initially (and unsuccessfully)courted by a man who is a self-centered womanizer. This character will eventually mature and fall for our female lead, while revealing his honorable, authentic self.  

       Second, every great rom-com involves romantic tension created by conflict or disagreement between our two main characters. This conflict heightens their attraction to one another. One instance of this tension occurs in When Harry Met Sally: the two protagonists argue for hours during their car ride to New York. Eventually, this initial conflict fades as the couple share experiences and become friends,  finally getting together. Following this development, these characters generally get into an argument, making it seem as if they are permanently separating. But, at the last minute, the main characters, who now cannot imagine life without each other, reconcile and promise to change for the better while working to build a healthier relationship. 

       Although these recurring themes can make rom-coms seem repetitive, if used creatively, they can diverge from clichés and turn a good film into a great one. Four Weddings and a Funeral is a film that adds dark, comedic undertones to the general rom-com storyline, while La La Land, a relatively upbeat film, ends with a punch to the gut, deceiving viewers in the last second by drastically altering the typical rom-com resolution. La La Land’s ending highlights how rom-coms that follow the classic storyline outlined above are often unrealistic; relationships in real life are not as simple as Hollywood paints them to be. Nevertheless, La La Land is not better than When Harry Met Sally or any other rom-com that follows the stereotypical arc. In our ever-changing and complex lives, maybe it’s good for some rom-coms to drift closer to reality while others stay predictable, allowing us to choose our happily ever after.