With the new year starting we also have a few new content creators joining our team! Learn more about both the new and old creators through their favourite romantic comedies. The spectrum of chosen favourites is wide, from classics such as When Harry Met Sally, to unique choices such as Star Wars: Episode 2. We hope you have as much fun reading about our favourites as we did writing about them.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Disney+
While the Star Wars franchise is not what normally comes to mind when one thinks of the rom-com genre, I believe that this story about politics, duty, and acceptance also encapsulates a heartfelt love story, making the film a great work of romantic comedy. The fates of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala were intertwined since the moment they met back on Tatooine as young teens. Now almost 10 years later, the pair are fully grown and ripe with hormones. Anakin, being a Jedi apprentice of the galactic republic, has been taught to avoid attachment in his relationships as it “connotes possession and the inability to let go”. Padmé is a senator whose life becomes under threat due to her position and influence in the senate when Anakin is called to protect her. The two proceed to go on an enrapturing adventure that brings them closer emotionally (and physically ;). Through talking about sandy pet peeves and through “aggressive negotiations”, the couple rebel against their dutiful roles and form a bond that spans across the stars.
- David Girt (2nd year, Electrical Engineering)
When Harry Met Sally
Amazon Prime
Nora Ephron is awesome, and the movies she’s responsible for are awesome too! Of all the rom-coms out there, for my favourite, it’s a toss-up between two Ephron classics – You’ve Got Mail (1998) and When Harry Met Sally (1989). For now, I’m choosing to write about the latter (so step down Tom Hanks). The film follows the long and arduous journey of Harry and Sally as, over the years, they become friends and then, finally, a couple. It is will they won’t they romance that is compelling enough for some irrepressible (and entirely frustrated) voice of support within me to pipe up and shout at the TV: “get together already, idiots”. This speaks to how strong the movie’s material is. Dialogue-wise the film deals in smart, self-conscious comedy (“you made a woman meow?!”) as well as sincere emotion (“when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible”). The dialogue is so good that it has me go from out of control laughter to letting out a quiet “aww” in a matter of seconds. And this is aided by the fantastic performances of Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Crystal plays into the snarky but simultaneously humorous and hopeful aspect of Harry’s character excellently (I think it’s something about his voice; being highly nasal it lends itself to sarcasm). And Ryan, who is tasked with playing what could have easily been an annoying character, makes Sally likeable (behaviours which might come off as tediously idiosyncratic are played so un-fussily and so matter-of-factly that they become charming). On top of all this, the film is filled with these stunning images of New York City as the seasons pass (fall foliage turns to winter wonderland turns to serene spring scene), and who wouldn’t love that! Written by Nora Ephron. Directed by Rob Reiner.
-Gabe (4th year, History and Cinema Studies)
Palm Springs
Hulu, Amazon Prime
There’s something so infectious about Palm Springs that keeps me coming back to it! Nyles is in a loveless relationship with a girlfriend who’s cheating on him. Sarah is a major screw up, having to stand by as her perfect sister gets the perfect life she deserves. When the two meet at Sarah’s sister’s Palm Springs wedding, they each get a little more than they bargained for— a time loop that forces them to relive the same day over and over and over, with nobody but each other for company.
Nyles, having spent who even knows how long in the loop already, has all but given up on life, instead choosing to spend his endless repeats of the day caring as little and making as much trouble as possible (hence, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and swim trunks to a wedding). When Sarah joins him, they embrace their nihilistic existence together, being menaces to society in whatever way they can since no one will remember it anyway. And of course, the more days they spend together, the more and more they fall in love.
Palm Springs is such a great take on the rom-com. It’s lighthearted and effortlessly funny, while still managing to hit you in the heart with its relatable characters, their personal issues that cause their apathy, and their eventual love that kick-starts their lives. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti have such natural chemistry that it’s no trouble rooting for them to get their happy ending. And J. K. Simmons is always a treat, especially as a bow-and-arrow wielding, vengeful psycho!
But my favourite part of Palm Springs has to be its commentary on life. The characters’ descent into nihilism is a realistic reflection of a whole generation of real people who are finding less and less meaning in life. After all, real life can often feel like we’re stuck in a monotonous time loop. But it’s the beautiful bond Nyles and Sarah build together that reminds them that life may still be worth experiencing, as long as they’ve got each other. Or as Nyles would say, “I’d rather die with you than live in this world without you, emphatic period.”
-Oishe (2nd year, Political Science)
To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Netflix
I must admit, I am often one of those annoying people who will read the book, then watch the movie, then point out all the differences. I don't mean to be annoying, and I do try to resist, but sometimes I can't help myself. To All The Boys is one of those films that, while it does make changes from the source material, does not grind my gears by the changes. Maybe it is simply that the story works for both a book version and a film version. Or maybe its just that the director (Susan Johnson) new what she was doing. It is a simple story, that uses a very common trope but it just works. This film, in my opinion, perfectly fills a void within the Rom Com genre. A simple story that hits on all the typical tropes but in a more refreshing modern way. Something Rom Com fans of all ages can enjoy. I am a true believer that this film will go down as a classic and will be enjoyed for many years to come.
-Stacy (5th year, Classical Civilizations and Cinema Studies)