Top15 Romcoms of All-time

Sep 20, 2010 23:58

Yes, I confess, despite of being the biggest commitment phobe in the world, I'm also a hopeless romantic with an embarrassingly large collection of romcoms. There, I said it. Seeing other people live happily ever after is lovely, but if, in real life, someone proposed anything to me, I'd run for the hills. It's complicated.

This list has been a long time coming, since it was ages and ages ago when I originally discussed the theme with baggy7. It's a list of movies which, for one reason or another, I remember well, or which have made an impression on me; it's not about one movie (cinematically, critics-wise) being better than the other, but, rather, it's a completely subjective take on the dozens and dozens of cheesy plots I've seen over the years. It should also be mentioned that I didn't take the pre-80s movies into account, because a) the list would never have been finished, and b) people were more concerned about plot back then (the purest form of the genre we know today wasn't formed until later).


(A/N: My photo editor went "up yours!" earlier, so the pictures are now without borders. Annoying, but try to ignore that small fact.)

Top15 Romcoms of All-Time

15. Six Days Seven Nights (1998)




***
Robin: You're here.
Quinn: I decided my life is too simple, I wanna complicate the hell out of it.

***

Movie: Six Days Seven Nights [ Trailer ]
Starring: Harrison Ford, Anne Heche, David Schwimmer

Okay, so this might not be the most typical of romcoms, but I perceive it as one anyway. The chemistry between the leads works brilliantly, and no matter what you think of Anne Heche as a person, she has some kickass comedy skills. On a more unpleasant note, this movie gave me a fear or something swimming into my shorts if I ever go to the more tropical parts of the world. Also, pirates!

14. The American President (1995)




***
Andrew: I'm sorry about this. We'll do it better next time.
Sydney Ellen: Well, I'm no expert but I think we did it pretty good this time.

***

Movie: The American President [ Trailer ]
Starring: Annette Bening, Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen

The word 'corny' doesn't even begin to describe this, but who cares about realism when the president of the USA becomes smitten with Annette Bening? It's sweet and adorable and, actually, quite believable. The obligatory moral dilemma is included in the form of an environmental bill, and a major deal of distress is also caused by the blood-hungry media people (seriously, I'd go bonkers in a week).

13. Down With Love (2003)




***
Catcher: I'm so sorry, Miss Novak, the darnest thing. I got waylaid by the sweetest Swedish Lapphund who kept me up half the night, and I'm afraid I'm still in bed.
Barbara: My, you do get way laid.

***

Movie: Down With Love [ Trailer ]
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Sarah Paulson

If there's a movie that can be described as "quirky", this is it. It's not everyday a romantic comedy actually surprises a person: I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming, it caught me completely off guard, which was FABULOUS. Ewan McGregor is yummy (even I can see that), and eventhough I'm not the biggest fan of Renée Zellweger, she's quite wonderful in this one. As a plus, the "I know now how things are at NOW" dialogue towards the end of the movie has me in stitches, every. single time.

12. Nina's Heavenly Delights (2006)




***
Lisa: I don't do Indian.
Nina: Well, apart from my brother.

***

Movie: Nina's Heavenly Delights [ Trailer ]
Starring: Shelley Conn, Laura Fraser, Ronny Jhutti

A word of advice: don't watch this if you're hungry and your fridge is empty. Seriously, my mouth is watering just by thinking about all that food!porn. The movie in question is uncomplicated, cute, and full of chemistry between all of the characters. Sure, there's that one line/scene which is absolutely cringe-worthy (anyone who's seen this movie knows exactly what I'm talking about), but the general loveliness of the film compensates for it.

11. Good Advice (2001)




***
Ryan: I came to apologize.
Page: Two minutes. And the tock is clicking.

***

Movie: Good Advice [ Trailer ]
Starring: Angie Harmon, Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards

See, In any other movie, Charlie Sheen would be in the "icky" category for me, but he doesn't annoy me in this one. Or, maybe it's just the hotness of Angie Harmon that overshadows everything else. I can't quite explain my infatuation with the movie, because the dialogue feels contrived at times, the acting is okay, and the plot is predictable - but I can't help loving this with the power of a million burning suns.

10. Jab We Met (2007)




***
Geet: Thanks to you, I missed my train. So, now YOU will get me back home. And no funny business!

***

Movie: Jab We Met [ Trailer ]
Starring: Shahid Kapur, Kareena Kapoor

I didn't really have any expectations, good or bad, when the opening credits started, but after ten minutes I was hooked. The chemistry between the leads feels real, and the story is developed slowly but surely - the we-are-from-two-different-worlds aspect always works for me (see #12 and #5). Besides, Bollywood dancing and singing!

9. Love Actually (2003)




***
Jamie: You learned English.
Aurelia: Just in cases.

***

Movie: Love Actually [ Trailer ]
Starring: FRIGGING EVERYBODY

Honest to God, if a movie with a cast like this doesn't succeed, there's something seriously wrong with the world. Of all the little stories included, the one between Jamie (Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lúcia Moniz) is probably my favourite. Maybe it's the language barrier that fascinates me so much, but their love story is just so sweet that I want to pack up my things right at this second and rent a cottage in Southern France. Plus, Hugh Grant = love.

8. You've Got Mail (1998)




***
Joe: Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry.
Kathleen: I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.

***

Movie: You've Got Mail [ Trailer ]
Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks

It's so hilarious to watch this movie now, because the internet and e-mailing were so ~*~shiny and new~*~ when it was made; the dial tone of Kathleen's modem makes the hair at the back of my neck stand up. But yeah, it's Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, one shouldn't need any other reason to see this film. In its corniness, Kathleen's "I wanted it to be you," makes my heart beat just a tiny bit faster, everytime.

7. Notting Hill (1999)




***
William: I enjoyed the movie very much. I was just wondering, did you ever consider having more horses in it?
Anna: Well, we would have liked to. But it was difficult, obviously, being set in space.

***

Movie: Notting Hill [ Trailer ]
Starring: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, Rhys Ifans

Notting Hill's a classic, obviously, and it's quite remarkable how current it still feels. It's equal parts adorable and awkward, because William trying to navigate the world of fame and show business brings about hilarious situations with truly uncomfortable undercurrents. Still, the love story is sweet. But am I the only one who now titters whenever there's an issue of "Horse and Hound" on display somewhere?

6. 13 Going on 30 (2004)




***
Jenna: Hey! You got arm hair!
Matt: Never got quite that reaction before.

***

Movie: 13 Going on 30 [ Trailer ]
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Green

Silly, silly, silly, but oh, so much fun! Fairytale dust and time jumps and Jennifer Garner! She's absolutely spot-on as Jenna. This is totally one of those movies that shouldn't work at all, but somehow it really does. Jumping 20 years into the future? Yeah, it can happen, totally believable. Indeed.

5. I Can't Think Straight (2008)




***
Leyla: Have you ever done this before?
Tala: Slept with a woman while my fiancé makes wedding preparations? Nope, never done that before.

***

Movie: I Can't Think Straight [ Trailer ]
Starring: Lisa Ray, Sheetal Sheth

I will never get tired of this movie, ever. Good production value, funny dialogue, hot actresses with fabulous chemistry... It's such a nice breath of fresh air to see a proper lesbian romcom without the obligatory clichés. The "subplot" of Leyla's sister baking international foods is the most hilarious thing ever.

4. It Could Happen to You (1994)




***
Yvonne: I choose? Ok, I pick door number two. I choose half of what you won in the lottery. Pay up.
Charlie: Ok, I was hoping you'd pick that one.

***

Movie: It Could Happen to You [ Trailer ]
Starring: Bridget Fonda, Nicholas Cage, Rosie Perez

I remember seeing this, way back in the day, and having a huge crush on Bridget Fonda without actually knowing what it meant. The attraction between Yvonne and Charlie is played out nicely, with just enough holding back before the more or less obvious outcome. Too bad (for straight peeps) that men like Charlie don't exist in real life, or, well, in real life, they're gay.

3. Imagine Me & You (2005)




***
Rachel: What does the lily mean?
Luce: The lily means... The lily means, "I dare you to love me".

***

Movie: Imagine Me & You [ Trailer ]
Starring: Lena Headey, Piper Perabo, Matthew Goode

I have so much love for this movie that I can't quite express it with words. Again, brilliant production value and excellent acting - the type of lesbian romcom we should see more of. Lena Headey is so very dreamy as Luce (I think she left the entire lesbian community drooling after her), and the chemistry? Beyond amazing. Everyone and their mother should see this.

2. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)




***
Annie: Sam... It's nice to meet you.

***

Movie: Sleepless in Seattle [ Trailer ]
Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks

There's a reason these two have made a bunch of romcoms together; a total of ONE shared scene in the movie, but they still absolutely sparkle during it. This film is a perfect example of why one should never start analysing romcoms realistically, because in real life, Annie would've been a crazy nymphomaniac with a criminal record. But it's fiction, so a happily ever after actually exists. [insert a sigh here]

1. Sliding Doors (1998)




***
Helen: I-I'm not - I'm not very good at - at, you know...
James: Constructing sentences?

***

Movie: Sliding Doors [] Trailer ]
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, Jeanne Tripplehorn

No, I can't explain it. I can't explain why this film had such a huge impact on me when I first saw it, and why it still continues to be the one I always go back to. By now, I've seen it so many times I can recite all the lines; "Wednesday, shag day, remember?". Maybe it's the unorthodox ending (in terms of romcoms, at least) that intrigues me, but whatever it is, Sliding Doors is the sweetest, the most perfect romcom I've ever seen. ♥

I know. The things I can list! Next up: the best linguistic text books by authors whose last names begin with an 'M' or an 'N'.

picspam: lists, listing is da bomb

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