Selena Blake | 7 Keys of Great Romantic Comedies
February 20, 2011
I’ve lost count of how many romantic comedies I’ve seen over the years. Dozens,
at least. Most of the classics and pretty much every major motion romantic
comedy since like 1985. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m still firmly camp Action
Movie. But what is it about romantic comedies that just draws me to the screen? Dissecting this love affair has made me see a few similarities in what I like to
read. And write. So let’s explore. First up, heroes. Have you ever noticed the heroes in romantic comedies?
Of course you have! You’re supposed to. They’re these perfectly imperfect men.
Good looking. Often funny, boy next door kinds of men. Even the wealthy ones are
fairly approachable and yet, flawed. I'm thinking of Hugh Grant's character in
Two Weeks Notice. Poor man. Handsome. Wealthy. And he didn't know what he had
until she was gone. The heroines. The gal we’d all like to be. Or be friends with. An
underdog. Perhaps not the prettiest girl in the room (yet.) Just an all around
likable person. Kate Winslet in The Holiday, anyone? Of course, she is the
prettiest girl in the room but she's so conflicted all while being warm and
funny. Wouldn't you love to be her friend? The tone. Light. Fun. Flirty. Straight up cinematography, nothing too
moody to get in the way of the romance. Let’s face it. You’re not going to solve
world hunger in a romantic comedy. These are movies about people and the
situations they find themselves in. And the tone is usually one of hope. I dig
that. In regard to tone, I thought The Wedding Planner was spot on, start to
finish. The romance. Duh. We all want it. That perfect someone to share our life
with. And it’s a heck of a lot of fun to watch two people fall in love. In a
book or on screen. You've Got Mail is a classic in my opinion. The comedy. Falling in love can be barrels of fun. Not just
slip-on-a-banana-peel kind of funny. But those funny awkward moments that set
your heart a flutter. The ones that make you blush. The ones that make you laugh
till you cry. I did a lot of laughing and grinning while watching Leap Year. The first kiss. Let’s face it. We all hold our breath, waiting for that
first kiss. Perfect. Awkward. Passionate. Way-past-due. Whatever sort of first
kiss it is, we wait for it. It’s that moment when the hero and heroine’s world
literally collides. And what a sweet moment that is. I think Pretty Woman has a
pretty great first kiss. Not that it was a passionate kiss, but because of the
No-Kissing-On-The-Lips rule, the anticipation was high. And it was a really
sweet scene. The tears. Sometimes, every so often, there’s a moment that makes you
cry. Likely, the characters are crying. Or maybe you’re just crying happy tears.
But some of the best romantic comedies have, without a doubt, a moment where the
emotion of the story comes together and there will be tears. Tissues not
optional, people. Spoiler Alert - I think the fact that Amanda can't cry makes
the ending of The Holiday that much sweeter. And I don't know about you, but I
was crying with her. When it all comes together, there’s a great story to be told. A story that with
leave you breathless, make you want to find your own hero, and wear a really
killer outfit. It’ll make you cry, smile and laugh. That’s what a romantic
comedy, to me, is all about. Finding those happy, light moments in life and in
love. And celebrating them. If you’re looking for recommendations on romantic comedies, here are 25 that my
good friend Lissa
Matthews and I came up with. Enjoy. Remember, to bring the tissues.
- 1. The Holiday
- 2. Killers
- 3. No Reservations
- 4. The Proposal
- 5. Maid in Manhattan
- 6. Monster in Law
- 7. Sweet Home Alabama
- 8. Pretty Woman
- 9. The Wedding Date
- 10. Notting Hill
- 11. You’ve got Mail
- 12. Two Weeks Notice
- 13. 50 First Dates
- 14. Romancing the Stone
- 15. The Wedding Planner
- 16. Leap Year
- 17. Back Up Plan
- 18. He’s Just Not That Into You
- 19. 10 Things I Hate About You
- 20. When Harry Met Sally
- 21. New in Town
- 22. Sleepless in Seattle
- 23. Down with Love
- 24. Get Smart
- 25. Pretty in Pink
What are some of YOUR favorite romantic comedies? Selena Blake writes
erotic paranormal and contemporary romance. First published in 2008, her series
Stormy Weather has been on the best seller lists and nominated for awards. A
gypsy at heart, Selena combines her love of travel and learning to create
memorable characters and enchanting settings. Learn more about her online at http://www.selena-blake.com or catch her at facebook
Comments
12 comments posted.
Re: Selena Blake | 7 Keys of Great Romantic Comedies
While You Were Sleeping is my favorite. (Maria Munoz 8:28am February 20, 2011)
I love all the Jane Austen books turned into movies/tv productions, especially PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and SENSE & SENSIBILITY. SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE & WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING were great, too. (Ann Garland 1:50pm February 20, 2011)
You've Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally. (Alyson Widen 2:58pm February 20, 2011)
Pretty Woman has to be my all time favorite! (Brenda Rupp 3:36pm February 20, 2011)
Yeah, I gotta voted for Pretty Woman too! (Lisa Richards 4:02pm February 20, 2011)
My latest favorite is "PS I Love You", it is not exactly a romantic comedy, but the part where it shows Holly and how she met her deceased husband and the new man. Those parts and many others are fabulous (Debra Simning-Chapman 4:17pm February 20, 2011)
added a couple more to my queue at Netflix!!! Your book sounds good too:) (Barbara Studer 8:59pm February 20, 2011)
Of the modern ones: Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. (Most of what I've seen recently hasn't been romantic comedy!)
Of the classics: ALL of them!
Later,
Lynn (Lynn Rettig 9:10pm February 20, 2011)
Of Course, When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle will always be favorites of mine. I love watching Tom Hanks films anyway, so I would have to include Big in the mix. For more off the beaten path films, I would have to include Moonstruck and Benny and Joon, to round off my list. As for your book, it's definately one I would love to get my hands on and read. It sounds like something that would be right up my alley. Congratulations. (Peggy Roberson 9:28pm February 20, 2011)
27 Dresses. Life or Something like it, with Katherine Hiegel and Josh Dumel. Love romantic comedies. (Lisa Kendall 9:43pm February 20, 2011)
Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, Pretty Woman are definite winners. How about going back (just a few years) to the Doris Day movies - The Pajama Game, That Touch of Mink, Lover Come Back (there's a long list) - really funny movies. And I have read your book and enjoyed it. (Karen Cherubino 10:42am February 21, 2011)
I'm a 80's Teen so Pritty in Pink is one of my fav's. I enjoy your books. (Vickie Hightower 11:17am February 21, 2011)
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