 Love and Laughter! Posted by Anna Campbell Apr 10 2012, 12:02 am
Are you a romantic comedy fan? I am I must admit to being disappointed with a lot of the recent romantic comedies I’ve seen. They just don’t have the zing of something like ROMAN HOLIDAY or BRINGING UP BABY or PRETTY WOMAN. But then my faith in the genre was restored by two films I really enjoyed and have since watched multiple times with increasing pleasure. Now, that’s saying something! So I thought I’d talk today about MY LIFE IN RUINS from 2009 and LEAP YEAR from 2010.
Both of these films are very heroine-centric, particularly LEAP YEAR. Both films have clever, dynamic women on the verge of making huge mistakes in their lives. And when love hits our heroines, it comes from unexpected directions and it takes courage to follow where love leads. I always love that theme – finding happiness where you least expect it.
Both these stories have so much heart and charm, they’re the sort of films that leave you with a big smile on your face at the end. Both have lovely love stories, appealing characters, glorious scenery and lots of eccentric secondary characters to add spice to the mix. If you want a couple of feel-good movies, I highly recommend them. So have you seen LEAP YEAR or MY LIFE IN RUINS? If so, which hero would you rather leap into the local ruins with? As a sucker for a British accent, I’ve got to say for me it’s Matthew Goode by a nose, although I wouldn’t kick the other guy out of my Parthenon either. Any other rom coms you’d like to recommend? TweetPosted in Anna Campbell, Inspirations, Leap Year, movies, My Life in Ruins, romantic comedy Comments106 thoughts on “Love and Laughter!” |
  
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by Anna Campbell
What’s interesting is that neither film received a particularly favorable critical reception in Australia. Both were criticized because they didn’t do anything original with the rom com formula. Which makes me think the po-faced critics are missing the point. I don’t watch a good romantic comedy to be surprised. I know where it’s going – that happy ending with a big sigh of satisfaction from me, if I’m lucky. It’s a bit like people criticizing romance because it contains the tried and true elements of the genre. These silly peeps don’t realize that one of the reasons we read romance is that we know there’s a guaranteed happy ending after all the trials and tribulations. That’s not a fault of the genre. That’s one of its greatest attractions.
Both films are road movies, covering a journey that turns out to be life-changing for our heroines. Georgia, our Greek-American heroine in Ruins, feels she’s wasting her education and her talents by working for a two-bit tour company in Athens. She agrees to escort one last tour group around the sites, determined to return to her academic career in U.S. after that. Anna, our Boston Irish heroine in Year, recklessly sets out for Ireland to propose to her self-centered surgeon boyfriend on 29th February, an old tradition. Both women find their journey takes them in surprising, occasionally uncomfortable, new directions and leads them to people (not just the hunky heroes) who will change their views of the world. And finally, the journeys lead to true love. Awwww!
Hmm… I have not seen either of these, Anna! they do sound good, and well, I’m quite the sucker for an accent, too… As you know, I’m not much of a movie watcher, so I don’t have any current rom coms to recommend. I’d been briefly intrigued by that one with Reese Witherspoon in it (This Means War?), where she catches the eye of rival super agents? Mainly because I like her pep and well, the guys looked easy on the eye
Fedora, I missed that one with RW. I like her and I think she’s a lovely romcom heroine (loved Legally Blonde). Must check it out.
By the way, I hope you’re laughing at the rooster’s antics. We often think he comes out of a comedy although probably more Three Stooges than something romantic!
I haven’t seen LEAP YEAR, but have seen LIFE in RUINS and loved it. I thought Alexis was so great!
S.A., I’m delighted by My Life in Ruins. It’s been kind of a guilty pleasure for me since I watched it but I never fail to finish it without a big smile on my face. And I think it’s wise in many ways too. And hubba, hubba, Alexis once he stops looking like a big shaggy Greek haystack! Check Leap Year out – it’s full of Irish charm!
Me too…sucker for British accents. I also enjoyed, Kate and Leopold, A Walk in the Clouds, Ever After, and in The Taming of the Shrew with Richard and LIz, they were so great and he really was sexy. I’m sure I can come up with more…:)
S.A., I had troubles with Meg R in Kate and Leopold. She seemed such a sadsack. I loved Hugh – I would have married him in a shot!
I caught Taming of the Shrew on Cable a couple of weeks ago. Hadn’t seen it in years. Man, it is SOOOOO sexy. That scene where he chases her around the farm buildings is so hot. They really were fabulous together, weren’t they?
Yes they were. They held your attention, their acting was compelling. The conflict between them, and the power play was so much fun to watch. As far as K&L, I was turned off more by Meg’s acting of the character.
And her hair drove me nuts in the beginning…LOL. Her acting seemed a little forced at times if not all. He on the other hand was stunning. I would have leaped immediately!
I also just remembered The Goodby Girl with Richard Dreyfus. He may not be all that sexy to some, but he was so good at the acting as well as Marsha Mason. It was I think a classic RomCom.
Haven’t seen that for years, S.A. But I remember it really fondly. Lovely scene on the roof with candlelight, I recall.
Two votes for marrying Hugh, I see! She seemed so cranky and I couldn’t really see why. Whereas his character was beautifully rounded, I thought. It was so sweet seeing him so enchanted by all the wonders of 20th century New York. Really heart-warming.
I didn’t like Leap Year, at all. Huge disappointment. Loved My Life in Ruins. As a disclaimer I have to add that I am not, to my knowledge, related to Anna and I do work for and with alot of Greeks.
My cousin Kelly!!!!! Oh, that’s right, we’re keeping that secret, LOL! You didn’t like Leap Year? How interesting! Actually it’s always horses for courses. I know a lot of people loved 27 Dresses while I thought it was complete codswollop. Didn’t go along with it at all – actually I think with a romcom, you absolutely have to decide to go along for the ride or it’s a complete waste of time. Glad you loved My Life in Ruins.
LOL Yet, I loved 27 Dresses – apart from the way she set up her sister – so many great moments in it. And he’s such a cutie.
See what I mean? Just didn’t work for me.
I haven’t seen ether of these movies. I don’t get to see many Romantic Comedies. My husband thought to a movie it has to be action packed or a syfy movie so I got to where I just read instead of watching movies.
Virgina, I’ve fallen behind with movies lately too. Partly because my DVD has died in recent months and I haven’t yet replaced it. If you’re looking for two lovely girly movies at any stage, definitely keep these two in mind.
I am a huge romantic comedy fan! HUGE! I’ve seen both LEAP YEAR and MY LIFE IN RUINS and adore both. I also loved MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING which was really a documentary of my own wedding. At least that’s what my best friend says, lol and I’m Italian – not Greek. Other great romantic comedies, imho, are THE PROPOSAL, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (all versions), BRINGING UP BABY & YOU’VE GOT MAIL (all versions) but my favorite (of all time) is LOVE ACTUALLY.
Santa, wonderful to meet another romcom fan. I love them. I think it’s a genre that has always worked in cinema. Love a lot of the old ones too. Oh, adore Love Actually. I love the way they worked the different emotions in that. Poor Emma Thompson!
You’ve mentioned some of my favourites, Santa eg The Philadelphia Story, Love Actually and You’ve Got Mail.
Anna, one of my faves of all time is the movie that You’ve Got Mail was based on – The Shop Around the Corner with James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. Such a lovely charmer and with a wonderful mix of comedy and drama.
I haven’t seen either movie, but I do enjoy romantic comedies. Some of my favorites include Kissing a Fool, The Princess Bride and The Proposal. I also love the oldies like Top Hat and The Gay Divorcee. I adore the British accent, especially if it’s coming from Richard Armitage.
Jane, you had me at Richard Armitage! I must say I’m a sucker for a British accent too. Sigh. That’s one of the pluses about writing Regencies – my heroes all sound like Oxford grads! I had never heard of Kissing a Fool. Just looked it up. Sounds intriguing. I think the scripts of those Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies were really witty. I loved Shall We Dance too. I love that she’s usually pretty mouthy!
No, I haven’t seen these movies. And I have watched hardly any recent (or relatively recent, as I don’t go to the movies) romantic comedies, since the few I’ve seen really haven’t been worth it.
Minna, so sad to hear you’ve given up on the genre. Although I have to say I went through an anti-romcom phase too. Got sick of paying good money to see such banal, cardboard stories. But both of these had a lot of heart to them. Mind you, I saw Leap Year on a plane and My Life in Ruins on rented DVD so I was willing to take a risk on what I was paying.
Instead I’ve been watching the first seoson of White Collar on DVD. Well, I watched it at weekend. It was much more fun to watch than some of those new romantic comedies.
Minna, I haven’t caught up with White Collar yet. The guy in it is seriously handsome! Must make an effort to watch it.
LOVE White Collar – the humour in it is brilliant!
Anna, I think for now I stick with the golden oldies.
I just loved White Collar! And yes, the bad boyis seriously handsome! Now I’m wondering when they’ll publish the 2nd seoson on DVD here in Finland.
I got the DVD at a bargain price, too. One of my best buys ever!
Minna, it’s on cable here. I’ll have to watch it – it’s never been at a particularly convenient time for me but I might make the effort after the recommendation. Thank you!
Hey, Anna!
I actually thought Leap Year was really enjoyable. I’m in the Matthew Goode camp.
Another romcom (of sorts) that I was absolutely enchanted by was Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. You’d love it, I’m sure!
Vanessa, I have to laugh. I’ve spent my life (and an awful lot of money I’ll never get back) seeing Woody Allen films that people told me I’d like. And I never did. Kept thinking the button would click and I’d get the magic but I find all his films really off-putting. Just one of those things, I think. So glad you love Leap Year. I thought MG was seriously hunky!!! Mind you, you know my fondness for long, lean Englishmen!
Oh, no!!!! But please, do see Midnight in Paris! It has all sorts of literary in-jokes. If you still hate it, I’ll refund your money. :p
Sorry, V, not even on your recommendation! My life is too short and I’ve already devoted far too many wasted hours to WA. He’s just not my cup of tea.
Actually just thought of another romcom I really liked – it didn’t do anything you didn’t expect it to but it had such style and so much heart – The Last Holiday with Queen Latifah who I think is just wonderful.
Anna
I haven’t seen either of these movies but they really sound good I must keep an eye out for them when the DVD sales are on.
I haven’t watch a movie for ages but I did love 50 first dates and Kate and Leopold. I really think I need to have a weekend catching up on some movies
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, I suspect the Hugh factor worked for you in Kate and Leopold! Am I right? Keep an eye out for these two. They’re both real charmers.
Hi Anna,
I agree. I haven’t been remotely moved by any Romantic comedies lately.
Agree that “Ruins” works because Georgia is not just developing something with the very nice Greek boy (said with Greek accent) but also with the people that she is guiding through the ruins and the Athenian sites.
I loved it. Loved the characters on the bus. Quite clearly it worked for me because it had character development. Not just for Georgia but for everyone. None of those people where the same and the end. They had all grown a little.
I haven’t seen “Leap Year” but based on the chat here, it’s on my too be seen list.
Cheers,
Efthalia
Efthalia, I 100% agree with you about everybody being on a growth cycle with Ruins. Even the hero! And every step that one person makes somehow turns into steps forward for everybody else on the bus. It really worked for me. The funny thing is when I started watching it, I thought, oh, no, same old, same old. Discontented heroine. Whingey about her life. Finds a man. Now she’s happy. Yadda yadda. And then I found myself completely won over by the film. Seriously the crits here were savage about it but I thought it was a really wise, lovely movie.
Hi Anna,
I enjoyed Leap Year too. The other movie sounds fun, so I’ll have to check it out. Two of the last romcoms I enjoyed were The Proposal (Ryan Reynolds was great in this), and Life As We Know It (I have a secret crush on Josh Duhamel so any movie would be good, but it was a fun movie anyway.)
I’ve been disappointed in too many WA movies too and stopped watching them, but I agree with Vanessa. MIP is wonderful! Give WA one last chance.
Cheryl, I hadn’t heard about Life As We Know It. I’ll have to check it out. Gosh, the Proposal is copping some lurve today! Actually I think Sandra Bullock is a very underrated actress. She’s wonderful in romcoms – there’s another one with her and a very gorgeous Hugh Grant called Three Weeks Notice. He’s such a spectacularly charming rotter!
Hmm, another MIP recommendation? You never know!
I do way more reading than watching but I do enjoy a good romantic comedy. I wrote down the titles and put them in my purse, now if they just stay there and not run away I might be searching them out next weekend. My BF is more the action/sci fi type of guy but if I whine we will watch these instead. He has put his foot down on the two Legally Blondes, I could watch them back to back for hours.
Dianna, I loved the first Legally Blonde. Haven’t seen the second one. Actually it’s interesting you mention that – like both of these, the heroine falls in love in the process of finding her true self. And that’s true about LB too. I like that particular trajectory. Hope you enjoy both movies. I worry now I might have talked them up too much. Neither’s a world beater, but both left me with a nice warm feeling and a smile.
Nice blog, Fo! I love romcoms and I agree with you on both fronts — I enjoyed these movies and I think I’ve seen Leap Year twice now. I have to agree also that, sadly, they’re not nearly as memorable as those greats you mentioned. Matthew Goode was partly the inspiration for my latest hero (although my duke is more muscly than the whippet-thin Goode). I can’t quite remember Poupi’s face (ahem!) but you’re right–he made a startling transformation over the course of the movie. I like the journey the female lead in that character went on, too, from despising her role as tour guide to becoming more understanding of human nature and more compassionate, too.
Can’t immediately think of any other rom cons I’ve enjoyed lately. I have a soft spot for How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days but I don’t know that it rates a spot alongside Roman Holiday. But then you know how much I love Audrey!
Another vote for How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days!
Hi Christina! Hey, cool you liked both of these films. I think MG is just gorgeous – but you know I like skinny men
I loved how he looked at her when he loved her and was sure he was going to lose her. I also loved the ending of that one – I get a bit tired of the “Let’s declare everything in front of complete strangers” trope and that one had a nice twist on it. I liked How to Lose a Guy too (although not as much as either LY or MLIR). I wonder if it’s because I think Matthew McConnaughey (sp?) is handsome but he doesn’t really rock my world. I think hero charisma often has a lot to do with whether I love a romcom or not. I agree though – when you mention Roman Holiday, not a lot recently comes up to that level. These are closer to something like Three Coins in a Fountain!
My girls and I enjoyed Leap Year, and I’ll have to check out MLIR.
Someone mentioned This Means War. That’s the most recent one I saw and it was okay. Definitely more bromance than romance, which is fine. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending.
I love romantic comedies, but I hate that they all seem to make the heroine go shrill at some point, and force her out of her comfort zone in a way that gets slapstick.
Actually, Natalie, I know exactly what you mean. There was a scene in 27 Dresses where the heroine gets drunk and makes a fool of herself and it just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t see that character doing it and it didn’t seem like a triumph of her freed spirit thanks to falling in love. It seemed just a tired of trope from romance comedy. LY occasionally verged on what you’re talking about, especially in the beginning, but somehow managed to skirt disaster. I admired that!
I really liked Leap Year–went to go see it with Trish M when she was here the year it came out. I don’t remember Life in Ruins being very romantic. My very favorite rom-com is 2 Weeks Notice with Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. He was her boss, then they became friends and fell in love. I like The Proposal, too, and an older one with Janeane Garafalo called The Matchmaker, about a woman who works for a politician who wants to focus on his Irish roots. They return to the town where his family came from and she meets a hot Irish guy. Loved it.
MJ, I love the sound of the Matchmaker! I’ll have to see if I can find it. Hmm, I wonder if it’s all about the accents for me! I loved Two Weeks Notice – I think Hugh’s got the perfect touch for that sort of comedy and Sandra is always lovely. It’s not really a romcom but I thought she was lovely in Miss Congeniality.
Say Anything is an all time favorite, maybe because I married Lloyd Dobler, kick boxing included.
Ooh, Beth, lucky you! I haven’t seen that since it came out but I remember just loving it. He was just gorgeous in it!
I hate to say this, but I’ve never heard of either of these films; and I normally keep up with the movies coming out so I can buy them on dvd to watch when I want. I know that sound stupid, but really, it’s better to buy them so I can watch them when I want at home and not in a massive theatre with two dozen people continuously checking their iPhones because they’ve missed something on Facebook…. seriously, people, life isn’t as narrow as that is it?
Or worse still, blogging how horribly boring the film they’re currently watching is on their iPhone or Blackberry (this happened to me while I was watching an advanced screening of ‘The A-Team’ when I scored a double pass to see it from Triple M… and I took my Mum! The girl next to me nearly had her Blackberry shoved down her throat regards of me because she didn’t like the movie 20 minutes in… idiot!).
However, there is a good side to this…. I do love the good Rom Coms where it’s funny to the end; like ‘Love Actually’… brilliant English comedy. Love everyone in it, and with a bit of nudity to boot! Who doesn’t love that film? Also love ‘Four Weddings and A Funeral’… the best places to get dressed up, falling down drunk and cry at and not be laughed at for doing those things… but know you did wrong the next day.
I love it for the hilarious storyline and the penguin nearly being run over in one part and pooping itself in the middle of the road… poor little thing. 
‘Pretty Woman’ is a great one… typical Cinderella story… and everyone loves it. But my absolute favourite is ’50 First Dates’. I remember I chose it on a second date and they guy loved it because Rob Schnieder got his butt kicked by a chick! ahahahahaaa… brilliant!
Rom Coms… the best pick-me-up since dark chocolate.
Mozette, I must say I’ve become jaded with paying a lot of money for not a lot of good time at the cinema. Last film I went to see was at the local multiplex and I swear the screen was smaller than my TV. Yuck to people on phones while you’re trying to watch too – and everybody talks through movies now because they’re so used to watching at home. Much rather control my environment. Goodness me, you’re definitely a romcom fan! I haven’t seen 50 First Dates. Must check it out.
I think I’m a Rom Com fan because I haven’t has much a great romantic life in real life… so I’d much rather delve into the fantasy of movies that to it for me… and leave me feeling good and laughing too.
’50 First Dates’ is great… Drew Barrymore plays a great part. And it’s set in Hawaii! Now, that’s a gorgeous place to have a Rom Com.
Interesting you mention setting, Mozette. I think the setting is a big part of the charm of both romcoms I talked about today.
Here’s some eye candy:
http://www.starpulse.com/Television/White_Collar/gallery/White-Collar-tv-52/
Anna Campbell says:
April 10, 2012 at 5:55 am
Minna, it’s on cable here. I’ll have to watch it – it’s never been at a particularly convenient time for me but I might make the effort after the recommendation. Thank you!
Anna, it’s on tv here as well, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, it’s not one of those shows that MTV (Mainostelevisio, not Music Television) is offering on their internet pages. And since I only have a computer, the only way for me to see White Collar was to buy the DVD.
But about romantic comedies… Some of my favorites are Some Like It Hot (I saw a theater version of it, too), Roxanne and Cry-Baby.
Thanks, Minna. He really is handsome, isn’t he?
Of the two my favorite is “Leap Year” I love romantic comedies. Some of my favorites are “Two Weeks Notice” with Sandra Bullock “My Best Friends Wedding” With Julia Roberts or “Overboard” with Glodie Hawn or a classic romantic comedy like “The Apartment” with Jack Lemmon.
LOVE Overboard! Such a fun movie!
Gail, how interesting! I love Overboard but I’m not really a huge fan of either The Apartment or My Best Friend’s Wedding – and yeah, I know I’m Robinson Crusoe there with both of those, they’re both accounted as classics. But I found there was a mean edge to them that didn’t appeal. Must say I like something sweeter with my romcoms. Be awful if we all liked the same things, wouldn’t it? Actually Goldie Hawn was in some wonderful romcoms – Bird on a Wire and Housesitter spring to mind.
I’m with you–I don’t watch Rom Com to be surprised. *LOL* So I’m annoyed with modern Rom Coms that seem to try to screw with that formula to be “fresh”.
I was not a fan of MY LIFE IN RUINS. It was okay, but it just didn’t sizzle for me. (Esp compared to MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING.) The laughs weren’t as authentic.
But…I did love LEAP YEAR and I know the critics panned it. I don’t care. I bought it anyway. I loved the hero, the heroine was sweet and plucky, and it had that great running gag line, “Louie will be grand!” about her luggage and the treatment thereof.
My favorite Rom Com in the last year was CRAZY, STUPID LOVE. I saw that one in the theater and laughed so hard I had tears running out of every orifice. And when I watch it now (bought as soon as available!), I still laugh. My friend Jackie hadn’t seen it and I made her watch it last weekend, and she laughed hysterically at all the right parts.
What I liked about CRAZY STUPID LOVE is that it didn’t shoot for gimmicks so much, it relied on emotion and some real situations…but there was some “braiding” involved that I was very impressed with. I think true comic genius involved “braiding” which can be hard to do. How it all comes together and you realize nothing was extra or unnecessary…
Hellion, we speak with one mind!!! I hate it when people fiddle with the formula – you know, she doesn’t end up with the gorgeous guy or he decides he’s gay in the end, just to freshen up the formula. The formula is the CHARM!!!! Yeah, when Leap Year was on the plane, I turned it on, expecting to hate it but I thought it was lovely. Mind you, low expectations often help! And I loved the running jokes and how they were both MUCH better people at the end than they were in the beginning. Love that arc. I haven’t seen Crazy, Stupid Love although that DID get good reviews here. Another movie that was an unexpected pleasure was the 40-Year-Old Virgin. It had real heart and I loved that the virgin was usually right about things unlike his supposedly more worldly friends. Really sweet movie!
I could NOT do the 40 yr old Virgin (in fiction or real life, I’m afraid–I don’t even like virgin romance heroes, seriously, I’m the only one!)–I think it was because he was a sweet earnest guy and he got heckled. I couldn’t bear it. Reminded me too much of high school and I started having PTSD flashbacks. *LOL* Oh, and that pelt of chest hair? ICK!
BUT speaking of Steve Carrell–I did like him also in DAN IN REAL LIFE. Another thoughtful rom com. It was good.
Actually I liked Dan in Real Life too – it was so REAL! And I thought Juliette Binoche made a lovely heroine. Liked his relationship with his kids. Actually another romcom I enjoyed was Hitch. Had that heart that I really like in a good romcom and I loved that Mr. Cool wasn’t nearly as cool as he wanted to think!
I have to agree about THE PROPOSAL. I’ll watch ANY Sandra Bullock comedy, but that one was particularly fine. Probably because Ryan Reynolds is particularly fine. *LOL*
Snort! You’re a sucker for a sixpack, my friend!
I really am a very shallow person. *snork*
Nah, that’s not shallow!
I haven’t seen either My Life in Ruins or Leap Year, but I added both and Hellion’s suggestion of Crazy, Stupid Love to my list. When I have time to watch a movie, my first inclination is to re-view a favorite, usually an oldie such as It Happened One Night, <i?The Philadelphia Story, or The Lady Eve. I have a few more recent movies among my favorite re-views–Sweet Home Alabama, Love Actually, When Harry Met Sally.
Janga, isn’t it interesting how often Love Actually has come up? I think Richard Curtis handled the tone of that perfectly. It could have been such a schemozzle with all those stories and yet it held that main thread beautifully. I should watch it again – it’s been a while!
Great post, Anna. I love romantic comedies in film, especially when they’re done cleverly. “Pretty Woman” has got to be an iconic favorite, but I also loved “Return to Me” with David Duchovny and Minnie Driver. The premise was so unique and heart-warming and the acting superb!
Jo, I loved Return to Me although it felt more like a drama than a comedy to me – and man, talk about dramatic tension. You just sat waiting for that second shoe to drop and all hell to break out. And Pretty Woman was wonderful – did you know that was how I talked to people about Claiming the Courtesan. I told people it was Pretty Woman by Candlelight!
I loved Leap Year. Matthew Goode is absolutely yummy. And how he made her sweat it out at the end. That was well done. The question that runs throughout, “What would you take if your home was on fire?” was used well to open the heroine’s eyes.
I’ll second (third? fourth?) Crazy Stupid Love. Best Rom Com in a long time. And I missed the big connection completely, so it could surprise you. But in a good way.
One of my favorites I watch over and over is Hope Floats. Harry Connick Jr is charming and dreamy with that Texas accent and Bullock is at the top of her game.
Ah, Hope Floats! Love the soundtrack too.
Terri, I thought Leap Year was very clever in a fairly understated way which is perhaps why the critics missed it! LOL! As you said, there were a couple of themes that were picked up but not beaten up that really added depth to the story. There was the issue about her dad being so unreliable even though he was loving. That could have been milked to death but it wasn’t. And they built up his broken romance really well too. They kept the tone lovely and light but there were shadows to throw the brightness into relief. Really nicely done, I thought. Really MUST get Crazy, Stupid Love!
Hey Anna!
When I first started reading this, I thought, gee, I don’t remember those two movies, but then it hit me, I did see LEAP YEAR. (Like song lyrics, I tend to be terrible about movie titles.) I realized how much I’d enjoyed this movie. Will have to rent it again!
Can’t say as I’ve seen any GOOD romcoms lately. There have been some wanna be’s but I think people forgot to let the characters fall in love and that is the problem.
Oops, forgot favortie romcoms
While You Were Sleeping
French Kiss
The Proposal
The Truth About Cats And Dogs
The Matchmaker (A fine Irish tale!)
Oh yes, to While You Were Sleeping and The Truth About Cats and Dogs.
Suz, another rec for the Matchmaker? I’ll have to watch it. It sounds lovely! I love that idea of finding love where you least expect it.
Suz, that’s a great point! Often they’re trying so hard to establish the quirky secondary characters and the main characters’ relationships with said secondary quirky characters, the hero and heroine hardly know each other. I watched a recent Jennifer Anniston one like that with the yummy Aaron Eckhardt. It wasn’t bad but I kinda blinked and missed where they fell in love!
Most of my favourites have been mentioned already. I don’t know that they’re romcoms, but I also love Sliding Doors, Charade, Enchanted and Four Weddings. And let’s not forget Bridget Jones!
Another one from some time ago that I love is Martha Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence – so cute.
Anna, I thought I hadn’t seen the Martha movie until I looked it up on IMDB and realized it was released here as THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU. You’re right – a real charmer and some serious man candy. You know I love Charade. One of the wittiest scripts ever. But my all-time fave romcom has to be HOW TO STEAL A MILLION. I thought Peter O’Toole and Audrey were absolutely magic together and it’s one of the best heist movies I’ve ever seen. It’s so sexy when they’re stuck in that cupboard together. I wrote a review for My Favorite Things on my website if anyone wants to check it out: annacampbell.info/favethings07.html#may07
Fun post, Fo! I saw Leap Year and thought it was cute but if I’m picking an Amy Adams’ movie, I’d have to go with Enchanted *g* Also loved Matthew Goode in Chasing Liberty with Mandy Moore.
My favorite Rom Com is Sweet Home Alabama. It has a fabulous love triangle and a heroine who has to choose between two really great guys
Beth, I haven’t heard about Chasing Liberty. If the gorgeous Matthew is in it, I must see it! He pops up occasionally on British TV programs. I saw him in a Midsomer Murders recently. Yum! Oh, I LOVED Enchanted, especially the first 80% or so up till it went all fantasy horror with the wicked queen. Still giggle at her luring the cockroaches and pigeons and rats to do her housework for her! And love the musical scene in Central Park. Just wonderful! That’s another real charmer.
Sorry Anna – I just couldn’t get through RUINS. Bored me to tears. Loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding. RUINS just didn’t do it for me.
I thought Leap Year was cute, but I’m with Beth in that Amy Adams was wonderful in Enchanted. Matthew Goode made the movie work in my eyes. He was yummy.
My favorite Rom Com is While You were Sleeping. I like You’ve Got Mail as well. As for a new flick – Bridesmaids is hilarious and has a really cute romance with a sweet guy hero.
Donna, I haven’t seen Bridesmaids. I’ve heard good things! Must check it out. Isn’t that interesting about you hating MLIR? I just didn’t think the second half of MBFGW was funny. Perhaps it was that I used to work in hospitality and I remember vividly how when weddings went bad, it was just awful. Real life impinging on my movie watching?
Okay, the funniest movie that made me laugh so hard was THE BACKUP PLAN with Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Laughlin. OMG…it might be the L&D nurse in me, but Melissa McCarthy in the home birthing scenes was just sooooooooooo damn funny!
I LOVE Back-Up Plan. I’m not a J. Lo fan AT ALL, but I love Alex O, and I thought it was good and sweet. I LOVED the birthing scene. May have to go pull out that DVD.
MJ, I watched it for Alex O, too. But it really was quite charming and the birthclass and home birthing scene’s cracked me up. I GET patients like that and they so nailed parts of it!
Suz, I’ve never even heard of that one. I’ll have to check it out.
Thanks for all the wonderful recommendations, guys! I can see I’m going to have a wonderful time with all these romcoms in the near future!
I really like MAtthew Goode.
Me too, Dina. I could spread him on toast for breakfast!
Okay, I’m watching What’s Your Number? with Anna Faris (who I adore) and Chris Evans (who, OMG, that body) and it is adorable. Has about 20 minutes, so could possibly blow it, but it’s cute!
MJ, thanks for the recommendation. I’ve never heard of that one either! Oh, I’ve got such yummy watching ahead of me!
oh yes you must watch Whats Your Number, Chis Evans is HOT in it!!
Sounds like it kept up its impetus past the first 20 minutes, Dina!
Oh, and Friends with Benefits. I loved that movie with Justin Timberlake and….oh, bless me, the girl from That 70s Show. I’m hoping to get the blu-ray for my birthday.
MJ, thanks for the recommendation of that too. It’s doing the cable rounds right now so I’ll make sure I watch it next time round.
Oh dear. How on earth did I become a romance writer and reader but yet I really don’t care for rom-coms? I really haven’t cared for any since Sleepless in Seattle. I need to be slapped with a rubber chook. ;D
Karyn, you’ve upset the rooster. He insists you’re slapped with a rubber duck instead!
Isn’t that funny? I must say it’s one of my fave genres when it’s done well.
And I hate to say it but while I enjoyed Sleepless in Seattle, I hated that the hero and heroine were never together. I know that was the conceit but it frustrated the heebies out of me.
Mind you, I LOVED Meg Ryan’s hair in that movie. And I loved Tom Hanks’s houseboat. So it wasn’t a complete loss!
I only recently saw Leap Year and LOVED it. It was quirky and funny and Matthew Goode was delightful. There were some truly memorable moments, especially the wedding! Another favourite I rewatched last night is The Lake House. It still makes me cry.
Sue, I LOVED the Lake House. I’m a sucker for those slightly woo-woo romances. A Portrait of Jennie springs to mind although it has a sad ending. Sob! Lake House s another movie that got horrible reviews here and I thought it was absolutely lovely. These critiques need to get out and smell the roses sometime soon! So glad you’re another Leap Year fan. I loved the wedding scene. The other scenes I really loved were the ones in the B&B. Wonderful sexual tension along with all the comedy!
Critics have given less than stellar reviews to Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and that movie even won my husband over! I went to this twice! I love Bill Nighy and Judi Dench’s characters and slowly evolving relationship. Have you seen it yet?
Sue, I’ve seen awful crits of it too but I must say when I saw the clips, it looked really charming. I’ll definitely give it a go. Fantastic cast! I love those English actors! Thanks for the recommendation.
Wow, what a lot of great chat we’ve had today. Thanks, everybody, for swinging by. Clearly I won’t be saying I’ve got nothing to watch for quite a while!