When Love Meets Laughs- My Top 10 List of Romantic Comedies
a comedy fan, happily mothering, happily married
| Pros |
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APR
8
2008
1. Pretty Woman
1990, R
Starring: Julia Roberts & Richard Gere
This love story of between down on her luck turned streetwalker, Vivian (Roberts) and millionaire, workaholic, Edward (Gere) needs no synopsis. This is classic Cinderella with both grit and glam.
Also starring Jason Alexander as Edward’s attorney and Hector Elizondo as the hotel manager, this film is full of greats. This is a watch me over and over and still love me movie. Here 18 years after the release, it’s like an old friend you’re always glad to see again.
Pretty Woman is classic, it’s funny, it’s sweet and has clearly passed the test of time.
2. One Fine Day
1996, PG
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer & George Clooney
Single Mom and professional Melanie (Pfeiffer) has enough problems before single Dad, womanizer and roving reporting, Jack (Clooney) really screws up her day. When out of desperation they try to help each other out for the day they continually mess up, run late and blame each other. They trade babysitting, reluctantly, and cell phones, accidentally, but as they walk in each other’s shoes condemnation slowly melts into admiration and the attraction heats up.
Critics have given this one credit for an adult ending that relies on love over lust. Holland Taylor is refreshing and funny as Melanie's mom. One Fine Day always makes One Fine Movie Night for me.
One Fine Day has an excellent cast, lots of laughs and a sweet, sweet ending.
3. Notting Hill
1999, PG-13
Starring: Julia Roberts & Hugh Grant
Julia Roberts plays superstar actress Anna Scott. How’d she pull that off? Scott (Roberts) runs into (literally, complete with orange juice) bookshop owner, William (Grant). It seems that Scott really enjoys paling around with William and his friends and family and seeing how the rest of the world lives. How can a big star really have a relationship with a “regular guy?” How does he go back to his old life without her? Do they really have to?
I know I am not alone when I say I love this movie. The ending scene gets me every time. The music in this movie is a big bonus too with Gimme Some Lovin (Spencer Davis Group) and Turn the Lights Down Low (Bob Marley & Lauryn Hill) just to name a couple.
Notting Hill has a fabulous cast, a great reverse Cinderella thing going on, awesome music and an all smiles ending.
4. Forces of Nature
1999, PG-13
Starring: Ben Affleck & Sandra Bullock
Ben Holmes (Affleck) is headed to Savannah to marry Bridgett (Maura Tierney). Sarah Lewis (Bullock) is headed to Savannah to sell a bagel shop and for other unrevealed reasons. When their plane crashes on the runway the unlikely companions seek alternative transportation to Savannah together. Through out the journey they challenge and annoy one another to point of…major attraction.
Many critics have said this movie didn’t have enough laughs. I would say you’ll be safe from falling in the floor laughing but yet this is a movie that keeps you “smiling out loud” through out.
Forces of Nature has likable characters, a fast pace and a fun story.
5. Something’s Gotta Give
2003, PG-13
Starring: Diane Keaton & Jack Nicholson
Harry (Nicholson) joins the latest in a string of twenty something dates at her mother’s house on the beach and has a heart attack. His host, Erica (Keaton), reluctantly allows him to recover in her home. They clash, offend and even scare one another until “something gives.” True to his track record, Harry screws up and when realizes he wants her back, he finds her with non-other than his young doctor (Keanu Reeves). How’s that for a plus? All’s well that ends well, especially when it ends in Paris!
This intergenerational storyline is delightful fun for adults of all ages. Nicholson and Keaton, with a little Keanu Reeves thrown in, is a tasty romantic comedy cake!
Something’s Gotta Give has superb acting, a very funny plot and a romance you can’t help but route for.
6. Must Love Dogs
2004, PG-13
Starring: Diane Lane & John Cossack
Sarah Nolan (Lane), a recently divorced preschool teacher is set up on an internet dating service by her well-meaning sisters. After some hilariously painful dates, Sarah meets Jake Anderson (Cossack) and instead of love at first sight, it’s an awkward fright. The awkward but hilarious moments keep coming as they give love and each other a second chance.
You don’t have to love dogs to love this movie. Anytime a character played by Dermot Mulroney is the reject, you’ve got my interest!
Must Love Dogs has relatable characters, very funny scenes and a sweet story.
7. Sweet Home Alabama
2002, PG-13
Starring: Reese Witherspoon & Josh Lucas
Melanie Carmichael, an up and coming fashion designer, accepts a proposal from a handsome politician, Andrew (Patrick Dempsey) but has to go home to Alabama to take care of a little unfinished business with her high school sweetheart, Jake (Josh Lucas). The more she tries to convince her family and friends how happy she is with her fabulous life in New York, the more her heart strings are pulled for the people and places of her sweet hometown, Alabama. Will there be wedding? Or just a reception? And with who? I won’t spoil it if you’re one of the 3 people who missed this fun, fun movie.
This is one you can watch over and over and still hold your breath every time Melanie makes a decision. It’s fun to fantasize about problems like choosing between these two guys. Unlike most films, the competition isn’t a terribly flawed. In fact, he’s perfect. He’s just not… well, you’ll see. U.S. Weekly says (to the 3 people who missed this one) “Ya’ll will love it.”
Sweet Home Alabama has great acting, fun characters, a lot of heart and a crazy happy ending.
8. Love Actually
2003, R
Starring: Hugh Grant & Martine McCutcheon and countless others
Love Actually is All Around (this was the first working title) in the lives of 8 couples in the weeks before Christmas in London. What fun to see Hugh Grant play a Prime Minister who falls for Martine McCutcheon, a server on the staff that he finds to be refreshingly real as his world has went pseudo in his new role. This movie has countless other stars (including Liam Neeson, Kiera Knightly, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman and Billy Bob Thorton) and twisted relationships that are loosely interwoven. One of the most romantic in my opinion, was Colin Firth as a writer who escapes to France after a betrayal by his girl and his brother, only to fall for a maid who doesn’t speak English and spills coffee all over his labored manuscript. This was a sweet romance in any language. One of the funniest characters was Bill Nighy as rock star trying to make a come back, Billy Mack.
On Christmas Eve the stories finally come together and everyone ends up as they should be when there’s love, actually.
Love Actually has a star packed cast, lots of love, and many, many laughs.
9. Prime
2005, PG-13
(Originally this movie was rated R but landed a PG-13 on appeal. It’s R in my viewpoint.)
Starring: Uma Thurman and Bryan Greenburg
Recently divorced, later thirty something Rafi (Thurman) tells her psychoanalyst (Meryl Streep) all about her conflictions and romps with an early twenty something painter. Meanwhile David (Bryan Greenberg) is fighting with his mother (Meryl Streep) about a non-Jewish, bit older woman he’s seeing. You can see where this is going.
Not to take anything away from Uma Thurman, who I really enjoyed, but Meryl Streep is the cat’s meow in this one. Even if you could care less about the rocky love boat, Meryl Streep is hysterical.
Prime is fresh, it’s romantic, it’s sexy and most of all, it’s funny.
1O. Music & Lyrics
2007, PG-13
Starring: Drew Barrymore & Hugh Grant
When washed-up former band member, Alex Fletcher (Grant) has to write a great new song in just days, in walks Sophie (Barrymore) who is of all things a substitute plant waterer. When he hears her chime up some lyrics, he’s convinced she’s the help he needs. He’s neurotic and she’s a hypochondriac, so can she write the lyrics while he writes the music without driving each other crazy?
O.K. you’ve got me. I am a Hugh Grant fan. I know it has goofy written all over it but I just love this one. Hugh Grant’s singing isn’t bad but his dancing is a riot. The ending just makes you want to say “ahhh.”
Music and Lyrics has fun music, lovable characters and a few surprises.
My Viewpoint:
It’s a challenge to pick just ten but these are my favorites. I hope I’ve reminded you of some forgotten favorites or opened a door you never knocked on. I’ve ordered these movies by date of release. How they line up as favorites1-10 would fluctuate given my mood. However, if this gives you any hints, I own Pretty Woman, Something’s Gotta Give and Sweet Home Alabama. What are your ten favorite romantic comedies? If you’re a romantic comedy fan, which movies make you laugh through out and say “ahhh” at the end?
Last edited on Apr 08, 2008
Best Romantic Comedies: My Top List is recommended by awlafon
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