Do you remember your first romcom? We remember ours. Which is why, this month, we're diving headfirst into our childhood favourites and looking at the films that started our love of the genre, such as Tangled and A Cinderella Story. We really like these movies and hope you can get something out of them too. So join us on this nostalgia trip as we revisit the flicks of our youths.
A Cinderella Story
Netflix
A Cinderella Story (2004) is a childhood classic (that I still watch to this day) and is superior to the cheap sequels that followed. First of all, Hilary Duff, who plays Sam Montgomery aka our Cinderella, dominated the early 2000s and this is just another one of her iconic roles. Then we have Chad Michael Murray, who is the hella fine star quarterback Austin Ames. Likewise, Chad also dominated the early 2000s, more so on television. And we cannot forget the hilarious Jennifer Coolidge who always adds an extra flare to the screen.
Sam struggles to save up money for Princeton, while juggling work at her father’s old diner, school and her step family’s shenanigans. Luckily, she has her pen pal “Nomad” aka Austin Ames to confide in. They plan to meet up at the Halloween dance in the middle of the dance floor, where Sam has her Cinderella moment in Rhonda’s (Regina King) beautiful wedding gown. And instead of leaving behind a shoe, she drops her flip phone. If you haven’t seen the film, what are you waiting for? Waiting for rain in this drought? Sorry, the movie has too many iconic lines. A Cinderella Story (2004) is probably my favorite Hilary Duff film and was a key part of my childhood. I’m a sucker for high school teen romantic comedies and this one is one of the best. It’s funny, cute and dramatic, with a great wardrobe, a catchy soundtrack (which features a lot of Duff’s stuff) and Chad Michael Murray. It can’t get any better than that.
- Thalia
Princess and the Frog
Disney+
Princess and the Frog (2009) is Disney’s last traditionally animated film. And though it feels a shame to see the medium disappear (with the studio now favouring computer animation) at least this film sends it off on a high note. Set in 1920s Louisiana, the movie follows Tiana, an aspiring restaurateur turned frog, as she and Prince Naveen (also a frog) fall in love while trying to become humans again. But, throughout their Journey, Tiana and Naveen are constantly threatened by the pursuing shadowy figures in the employ of Dr. Facilier (the witch doctor who is responsible for the prince’s froggy state). And this Bayou romance (Cajuns and all) is extraordinarily fun; so much comes together to create the lively atmosphere that the film has. The characters are great, with an ensemble of strange swamp animals that are all really delightful. Louis the trumpet playing alligator brings heaps of dopey joy to the movie (if only he were human, then he would be able to play with the jazz greats). And Ray the Cajun firefly brings some country sincerity (he is earnestly in love with a star). On top of all that, the music is amazing. Randy Newman hits this movie with everything he’s got, running the stylistic gamut from Dixieland jazz (When We’re Human) to more folksy stuff (Ma Belle Evangeline). And this all culminates in the film feeling like a massive party, for the most part, and I love that. Anika Noni Rose is Tiana; Bruno Campos is Prince Naveen; Keith David is Dr. Facilier; Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis; Jim Cummings as Ray. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
- Gabe
Ratatouille
Disney+
Ratatouille (2007) is one of those movies you could watch over and over again. And I have, which is why I’m writing this review. The film is about Remy, a French rat with a passion for cooking, who chances upon Linguini, a clumsy garbage boy. Together they become cooks at the once great Gusteau’s restaurant, with Remy controlling Linguini from under his toque. Working in tandem, they create new and exciting recipes which help to re-popularize the establishment. And this tale of greatness coming from unexpected places is very sweet, with Remy having this smart snarky-ness that makes him extremely likeable (“Close to godliness. Which means clean. Y’know cleanliness is close to… never mind”). The movie also has fantastic culinary sequences. It captures what it’s like to taste different combinations of foods through its colourful audio-visual depictions of the experience (flavours take the form of on-screen blobs of colour, and when foods combine so do the blobs). The film’s dialogue is also excellently written; the movie contains one of the most poignant monologues I have ever heard (Anton Ego’s glowing review of Gusteau’s, in which he derides criticism for its meaningless-ness, ouch). And it is all these things together that make the film one of my favourites. I have watched it countless times and can recite certain parts from memory. If you haven’t seen it yet, I implore you to check it out. Patton Oswalt is Remy; Lou Romano is Alfredo Linguini; Peter O’Toole is Anton Ego. Directed by Brad Bird.
- Gabe
Tangled
Disney+
Tangled is a 2010 Disney film based on Rapunzel by the brothers Grimm. The film follows our lead Rapunzel as she wishes to leave her tower for a couple of days to see the lanterns that float everyday on her birthday. She is joined by the thief Flinn Ryder, her pet chameleon Pascal and a palace horse named Maximus.
This movie came out when I was 10 and it almost instantly became one of my favourites. Now it is among the top ten of my comfort films that I love to return to. Tangled is a beautiful film both visually and audibly. The score is written by Alan Menken, who you may have not heard of. However, when I tell you this is the same man who worked on Disney golden age films like Aladdin along with the late Howard Ashman you may begin to get a sense of the type of music he makes. In my opinion, this same magic formula that worked so well for previous films appears here as well.
This is a charming film that aims to raise up their heroine while simultaneously sticking to the fairytale formula. It does so successfully, Mother Gothel is scary without being cartoonishly villainous, Rapunzel is a strong driven character without feeling forced and Flinn Ryder is a sensitive strong man who bucks the typical prince charming trope. Overall I recommend this film if you’re looking for a cosy, charming film for a pick me up.
- Stacy
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