Can anyone recommend a good romantic comedy? I'm
going to write a film and I'm looking to watch comedys
and dramas that end well, but good ones with developed
characters. Love stories. Anyone got a favorite?
I ditto both of the above, and not much else in the genre. I pretty much think the romantic comedy form died as a result of the Hays Office -- since the early 30s, most romantic comedies feature supposed adults behaving, annoyingly, like stupid teenagers.
A classic pre-code romantic comedy is Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise -- currently playing in a stage version in NYC. Sexy, adult, charming, smart. After that, jumping about 55 years, Bull Durham, which is a favorite "comfort film" for me.
Best Romantic comedies of all time: -Faster Pussycat Kill Kill Kill -Bride of Frankenstein -Psycho -Vanya on 42nd St. -Midnight Cowboy -Bonnie and Clyde -3 Stooges meet Dracula
Thanks everyone. very helpful. Let me know if you think of any more.
3 Stooges meet Dracula? Really? I'm not so sure that would be helpful in the genre I'm trying to write in next. is there another film with maybe just one of the stooges spending a long night in prague with a mysterious yet fascinating woman?
It doesn’t look like I have any on my list that people haven’t mentioned above, but ah, what the heck? These are my faves:
Punch Drunk Love Annie Hall Manhattan When Harry Met Sally High Fidelity The Wedding Singer Before Sunrise & Before Sunset What Happened Was (this is kinda pushing it, actually. More of a “Painful First Date Movie” than a “Romantic Comedy”) Tim & Dawn’s arc in The Office (a subplot in a TV series, I know, but still…)
Oh, there were plenty it turned out I forgot that others have mentioned -- but no one's mentioned another I forgot, Steve Martin's L.A. Story. Okay, a little cheesy at times, but when it works, boy does it work.
hey, Adam. I'm a little late on this one, I know. But here are the ones that sprang to my mind: LOST IN TRANSLATION (I realize this is debatable as they never actually get their groove on. but I actually love the subtlety and the things left unsaid and undone). AMELIE (though it mostly focuses on the heroine, I think it's utterly lovely). SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE (I know it's weird I like geriatric romance. But I thought this film was intelligent, funny, thoughtful, and really uplifting.) KEEPING THE FAITH (an underrated, sweet film about religion, love, and loyalty).
I'm fond of Chasing Amy.
ReplyDeletePunch Drunk Love.
ReplyDeleteAdam Sandler is actually quite good in it.
It's smart and Seymour Hoffman is brilliant as always.
I ditto both of the above, and not much else in the genre. I pretty much think the romantic comedy form died as a result of the Hays Office -- since the early 30s, most romantic comedies feature supposed adults behaving, annoyingly, like stupid teenagers.
ReplyDeleteA classic pre-code romantic comedy is Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise -- currently playing in a stage version in NYC. Sexy, adult, charming, smart. After that, jumping about 55 years, Bull Durham, which is a favorite "comfort film" for me.
Must agree on Bull Durham. That's a great one.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to go with Sabrina. The original one.
Best Romantic comedies of all time:
ReplyDelete-Faster Pussycat Kill Kill Kill
-Bride of Frankenstein
-Psycho
-Vanya on 42nd St.
-Midnight Cowboy
-Bonnie and Clyde
-3 Stooges meet Dracula
-yours,
Gleason
Any Fred Astaire/Ginger Rodgers movie.
ReplyDeleteBreathless.
ReplyDeleteThe original.
Hubba-hubba.
Wonder Boys is a favorite - it is a kind fo love story...
ReplyDeleteMy Man Godfrey
ReplyDeleteThe Apartment
Addicted to Love
The Graduate
The White Sheik
Annie Hall
The Shop Around The Corner
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
It Happened One Night
Meet John Doe
Pat and Mike
Defending Your Life
Minnie & Moskowitz
Prizzi's Honor
Autumn (Eric Rohmer)
Lovers on the Bridge (not a comedy, but romantic to a demented degree)
Sense and Sensibility
Groundhog Day
Yi Tu Mama Tambien
Thanks everyone. very helpful. Let me know if you think of any more.
ReplyDelete3 Stooges meet Dracula? Really? I'm not so sure that would be helpful in the genre I'm trying to write in next. is there another film with maybe just one of the stooges spending a long night in prague with a mysterious yet fascinating woman?
I friggin' LOVE Wonder Boys!
ReplyDeleteHigh Fidelity
ReplyDeleteThe American President
The original Roman Holiday
Broadcast News (I love that movie more than fake moustaches)
Moonstruck
My favorite is Hal Hartley's "TRUST".
ReplyDeleteBefore Sunrise and Before Sunset.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn’t look like I have any on my list that people haven’t mentioned above, but ah, what the heck? These are my faves:
ReplyDeletePunch Drunk Love
Annie Hall
Manhattan
When Harry Met Sally
High Fidelity
The Wedding Singer
Before Sunrise & Before Sunset
What Happened Was (this is kinda pushing it, actually. More of a “Painful First Date Movie” than a “Romantic Comedy”)
Tim & Dawn’s arc in The Office (a subplot in a TV series, I know, but still…)
A big softie,
Grumbles McCynicism
Oh, there were plenty it turned out I forgot that others have mentioned -- but no one's mentioned another I forgot, Steve Martin's L.A. Story. Okay, a little cheesy at times, but when it works, boy does it work.
ReplyDeleteI'll put in a second for LA Story and Wonderboys. Both brilliant.
ReplyDeletethanks everybody. I'll definitely check out the ones I haven't seen. And I have to say I love Wonder Boys. I've seen it more htan any other film.
ReplyDeletehey, Adam. I'm a little late on this one, I know. But here are the ones that sprang to my mind: LOST IN TRANSLATION (I realize this is debatable as they never actually get their groove on. but I actually love the subtlety and the things left unsaid and undone). AMELIE (though it mostly focuses on the heroine, I think it's utterly lovely). SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE (I know it's weird I like geriatric romance. But I thought this film was intelligent, funny, thoughtful, and really uplifting.) KEEPING THE FAITH (an underrated, sweet film about religion, love, and loyalty).
ReplyDelete