My previous two entries in this series have given you complicated mysteries and complex worlds to get lost in. Today, I thought we’d go in a more light-hearted direction with some of the silver screens great romantic comedies. Again, this is not a best-of list but more of a “great films you might have overlooked or haven’t gotten around to” list. And I want to apologize in advance for the lack of LGBTQIA representation on this list. I’ve only had about an hour to put this list together and most of the films that came to find either didn’t fit the bill as a romantic comedy or had subject matter concerning the AIDS epidemic that I thought might be triggering while you’re stuck at home during a global pandemic. But please if you have any recommendations especially that would help make this list more representative leave them in the comments below.
- You’ve Got Mail-Sleepless in Seatle may be the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan pairing everyone remembers but for my money this is the more charming of the two. A modern (for the ’90s) update of the Jimmy Stewart classic The Shop Around the Corner, this film sees Hanks and Ryan develop a heated rivalry in real life all while falling in love via email. One of the most pleasant and heart-warming ways to spend two hours.
- Mr. Right: This film involves three things I love with my whole being: Anna Kendrick, New Orleans, and the Wu-Tang Clan. So I might be biased when I call it one of the most underrated films of the last decade but if you are looking for something fun and smart that doesn’t take itself to seriously this is the film for you. The best movie about a hitman falling in love since Grosse Pointe Blank.
- Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist: I know Michael Cera can annoy the fuck out of some people, so if that’s you feel free to jump to the next item on the list. But if you are capable of putting up with his adolescent whining the rest of the cast are really a delight. And the soundtrack. A member of the “how much one crazy night can change everything” genre this is easily a film capable of becoming one of your guilty pint of ice cream re-watch favorites.
- The Apartment- Winner of the 1960 Academy Award for Best Picture and official “all-time favorite” of this blogger, The Apartment features screen legends Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine in their dashing younger years. While the film is a bit darker and more serious than your typical romantic comedy that dramatic heft is what gets you so invested in these characters and turns a string of unlikely comical circumstances into something that will stay with you long after the credits roll. A must-watch film.
- The Philadelphia Story- Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Katherine Hepburn. It should be illegal to put that much charisma on screen. A screwball comedy for the ages, this love triangle makes for all sorts of complications and laughs. Especially since it doesn’t include the fiancé. The witty repartee still holds up eighty years later and will have you longing for the olden days before Infinity Stones and method acting.
- It Happened One Night– One of the only films ever to sweep the big four at the Oscars (best film, director, actor, and actress) its surprising that this film is so forgotten by the masses while other Capra films like It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington have stayed very much entrenched in American pop-culture. Another all-time classic you would be remiss to miss.
- Roman Holiday- This film will make you fall in love with two things, Rome and the idea of being in love. Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn are perfect in their respective roles as a jaded newsman and naïve princess. The truth is the world was never as innocent as this film would have you believe but you’re not going anywhere so wouldn’t it be nice to pretend for a while.
- Moonstruck– Nick Cage and Cher being super Italian and falling in love. If that one sentence doesn’t make you want to see this film, then I don’t even want you reading my blog.
- The Best Man: Movies about old emotions coming out during the week before a wedding are a dime a dozen but, as a wise man once said, it’s all in the execution. With a cast full of stars at the start of their careers, this film is capable of making you laugh at loud while simultaneously consider and re-evaluate some of your own life decisions. This film is all about doing the work and striving to be a better person for the ones that we love. A good thing to remember while we’ve all been cut off from the world for a while.
- Crazy Rich Asians: I know, I know. You saw the stupid name and the dopey trailers, and you wrote this one-off. But trust me this is a gem. The cast is top-notch and the scenery is breathtaking. An old school formula of the fish out of water average girl meets the prince’s disapproving family is predictable as ever but you don’t watch rom-coms for their originality you watch them for the journey and the happy ending. And this film delivers on both fronts.