Romantic Comedies: Movie Genre Analysis
What is a Romantic Comedy Lighthearted movie genre where two people, usually a man and woman, fight over obstacles (often very funny obstacles) to finally find true love in the end Are all Romantic Comedies the same?
Top 10 Romantic Comedies (1978-present) 10) Sweet Home Alabama 9) Coming to America 8) Bringing Down the House 7) As Good As It Gets 6) Runaway Bride 5) There’s Something About Mary 4) Pretty Woman 3) Hitch 2) What Women Want and the #1 Romantic Comedy…
My Big Fat Greek Wedding! Movie Trailer:
Where do romantic comedies take place? Common Settings: Weddings Hitch The Wedding Singer Parents’ House Meet the Parents Failure to Launch Vacation Six Days, Seven Nights The Holiday Work (often at a magazine) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Never Been Kissed
What do Romantic Comedies Look Like? 1.The “Meet Cute”: Two potential lovers encounter each other in a quirky/comical/unexpected event Ex: Serendipty It Happened One Night The Wedding Planner
What do Romantic Comedies Look Like? 2. The “Mistaken Identity”: There a is a fundamental misunderstanding (intentional or accidental) about who a person is Ex: 50 First Dates Maid in Manhatten Shallow Hal
What do Romantic Comedies Look Like? 3. Sexual Tension: The postponing of consummation Ex: The Sweetest Thing No Reservations 10 Things I Hate About You
The Language of Romantic Comedies Dialogue must be witty and elicit laughter But it also must pull on viewers’ heartstrings Characters must use a realistic, conversational tone But appropriate emotional music should also be playing in the background
The Language of Romantic Comedies “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her.” –Notting Hill “Dancing is just a conversation between two people. Talk to me.” –Hope Floats “When they asked me what I liked best, I’ll say it was you.” –City of Angels “You had me at hello” –Jerry Maguire
Being Critical Of Romantic Comedies Romantic Comedies often promote the following values: Heterosexuality and marriage is the norm You are alone and uncompleted if single You have one true love
The End And they live happily ever after……… or at least till the credits ended….