So many great points and i agreed with every single one!!! The idea that just because something is supposed to “silly” and “feel-good” means that it doesn’t have to be well made is insane and it causes movies/romcoms that are like keys being jingled in front of a baby😭 The audience is not that easily amused PLEASE WRITE SOME COHERNT DIALOGUE THAT DOESN’T SOUND CRINGEY AND TROPEY!!!! STOP MAKING SHITTY ROMCOMS!!!!
I agree with your post. The 2000s rom coms did too repetitive towards the end of the decade. She was always working or want a job in fashion. She always lived in New York City and Los Angeles. The formal was tiring to audiences. Then we entered a post MeToo world and writes are confused how to write a romance through a 2020s lens.
i really enjoyed this! You're so right, there's been such a massive, massive drop in quality in RomComs. Anyone But You got so much hype i think because it was the first possibly non mediocre romcom to come out. it's so bizarre watching newer romcoms and then comparing them to older ones, the older romcoms are packed with such a flair of originality, and you write about that so well. either way, you're so right, we gotta stop settling for mediocre movies in general lol. great job!
I have high hopes for Materialists (Celine Song directing, Dakota Johnson starring). It feels like they understand and respect the romcom as an institution and I cannot wait to see what Celine Song does with the form.
I have to agree my hopes are high for Materialists as well! I think it will bring a necessary nostalgia that worked so well in Past Lives while still being a little less heavy and more fun for audiences. Fingers crossed!
I went to the theater recently and noticed only 2-3 movies being played were not rated R. Which brought an idea to my mind: maybe why the movie industry is failing is because we’re trying to hard to make them edgy or sexy or something like that? The movies that are the most successful in the box office are usually rated PG or PG-13 (Of course there’s some exceptions, such as Deadpool and Wolverine, however that movie still brought kids and teens to the theater for better or worse). I would say the same with Rom-coms, but maybe it’s a quality thing too? Most of the “classic” rom coms with the exception of When Harry met Sally and Pretty Women are PG or PG-13. Currently, most romcoms are rated R. I would say we need to create more romance films that are kid-friendly. Because honestly? My favorite rom coms are the ones I watched from 10-15. I feel like that’s kind of a formative time for film taste.
I’m so happy other people are recognizing the decline in quality of rom coms! This essay was incredibly well written and you hit the nail on the head with the argument you made. Just because it’s “feel good idea” doesn’t mean the product needs to be cheap and watered down.
It’s so funny I’m seeing this because I was talking about it with my boyfriend the other day. Rom coms from the early-mid 2000’s have a certain cadence, there was organic dialogue, the actors had chemistry, and there was a good message too. Some of my favorites are Mammia Mia (I know it’s a musical lol), my Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Me Before You (a tear jerker). If anyone else has any recommendations I’d be happy to hear them!
So many great points and i agreed with every single one!!! The idea that just because something is supposed to “silly” and “feel-good” means that it doesn’t have to be well made is insane and it causes movies/romcoms that are like keys being jingled in front of a baby😭 The audience is not that easily amused PLEASE WRITE SOME COHERNT DIALOGUE THAT DOESN’T SOUND CRINGEY AND TROPEY!!!! STOP MAKING SHITTY ROMCOMS!!!!
i love that comparison to the keys haha you're so right! we deserve better romcoms!! thank you :)
I agree with your post. The 2000s rom coms did too repetitive towards the end of the decade. She was always working or want a job in fashion. She always lived in New York City and Los Angeles. The formal was tiring to audiences. Then we entered a post MeToo world and writes are confused how to write a romance through a 2020s lens.
i really enjoyed this! You're so right, there's been such a massive, massive drop in quality in RomComs. Anyone But You got so much hype i think because it was the first possibly non mediocre romcom to come out. it's so bizarre watching newer romcoms and then comparing them to older ones, the older romcoms are packed with such a flair of originality, and you write about that so well. either way, you're so right, we gotta stop settling for mediocre movies in general lol. great job!
i know, and anyone but you is basically a much ado about nothing adaptation haha but thank you! 🫶🏻
I have high hopes for Materialists (Celine Song directing, Dakota Johnson starring). It feels like they understand and respect the romcom as an institution and I cannot wait to see what Celine Song does with the form.
I have to agree my hopes are high for Materialists as well! I think it will bring a necessary nostalgia that worked so well in Past Lives while still being a little less heavy and more fun for audiences. Fingers crossed!
I went to the theater recently and noticed only 2-3 movies being played were not rated R. Which brought an idea to my mind: maybe why the movie industry is failing is because we’re trying to hard to make them edgy or sexy or something like that? The movies that are the most successful in the box office are usually rated PG or PG-13 (Of course there’s some exceptions, such as Deadpool and Wolverine, however that movie still brought kids and teens to the theater for better or worse). I would say the same with Rom-coms, but maybe it’s a quality thing too? Most of the “classic” rom coms with the exception of When Harry met Sally and Pretty Women are PG or PG-13. Currently, most romcoms are rated R. I would say we need to create more romance films that are kid-friendly. Because honestly? My favorite rom coms are the ones I watched from 10-15. I feel like that’s kind of a formative time for film taste.
Oohhhh I’ve been waiting for this one !!
my fave romcom is either When Harry Met Sally or Mamma Mia, even though so many people say Mamma Mia isn't a romcom but in my head it is.
I’m so happy other people are recognizing the decline in quality of rom coms! This essay was incredibly well written and you hit the nail on the head with the argument you made. Just because it’s “feel good idea” doesn’t mean the product needs to be cheap and watered down.
It’s so funny I’m seeing this because I was talking about it with my boyfriend the other day. Rom coms from the early-mid 2000’s have a certain cadence, there was organic dialogue, the actors had chemistry, and there was a good message too. Some of my favorites are Mammia Mia (I know it’s a musical lol), my Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Me Before You (a tear jerker). If anyone else has any recommendations I’d be happy to hear them!
Also - Six Days, Seven Nights is really good.
BOTTOMS MY FAV ROMCOM THATS NOT A ROMCOM MENTIONED 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
you get it 🫡