I have just the subjected myself to watching the first romantic comedy that I have seen in what feels like a decade or more, and I was instantly reminded as to why this is my least favorite type of movie genre. The following is a list I have complied to sort my thoughts:
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If there is one word that defines romantic comedies it definitely has to “predictable.” The guy gets the girl, then he loses her because either he or she makes an obvious mistake, then the two get back together again. All that begins well ends well. Which brings me to the next point..
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Romantic Comedies always have happy endings. No matter what happens throughout the course of the movie, the audience knows that everyone is going to end up happy in the end. Why? Because audiences go to see romantic comedies because THEY want to be happy in the end. It doesn’t matter what ridiculously stupid course events takes place throughout the movie, both the characters and the audience members always end the movie in a state of happiness.
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Romantic Comedies are not really comedies, they’re Cheesy. No one really believes the storyline because you would have to be a total nutcase to really think that the events that take place in a romantic comedy actually happen in real life. Romantic comedies are shamelessly cheesy, particularly those that are being made today. You can tell just watching these films that millions of dollars were poured in to making them, and you really just have to wonder why…. And how..?
On another note, I think it would be wrong to group ALL romantic comedies into one generally category. “Pretty Woman” was good because it was unconventional and groundbreaking and actually had something to say. “The Seven Year Inch” was good because it showcased Marylin Monroe at her absolute best. “Annie Hall” was good because in all his quirkiness, Woody Allen really does know what he’s talking about. And the “Wedding Singer” was good because it was actually a romantic COMEDY rather than just a romantic movie with a few unrealistic twists thrown in to make it “funny.”
Romantic comedies today seem to fall flat to me. Everyone knows what will happen in the end, and audiences seem to flock to that kind of cookie cutter, fairy tale conclusion. But not me, I guess I’m just waiting for the next “Sleepless in Seattle.”
