Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

The start of the Bridget Jones trio; ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ is a romance comedy which is such an easy watch and it’s funny! I haven’t seen this film in years, and when rewatching recently, I truly forgot how much of it just makes me laugh out loud!

Our main protagonist is desperately trying to turn her life around, at this point two men become more frequent in her life, her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and the man her mum wants to set her up with, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). We follow Bridget’s ups and downs with many embarrassingly hilarious moments that follow.

I absolutely love the cast of this film: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant. Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones is just excellent, she’s hilariously relatable. Plus two of Britain’s well-known men who I just adore watching on screen. There are a scattering of other recognisable British actors to appreciate also: Jim Broadbent, Celia Imrie, Shirley Henderson, Sally Phillips.

The soundtrack of this film is fabulous. It’s predominantly 1980s music and I just can’t help but sing along to. It’s joyful and comical.

‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ has become a pinnacle of 2000s romance comedies. But I feel like it’s become a little forgotten in recent years. I don’t think it should be as forgotten as it is, it’s still funny and it’s still got the romance. Bridget is an excellent character to watch, she’s relatable, she’s funny. ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ is a great romcom!

The Hating Game (2021)

I have just binge-read the novel this is based upon by Sally Thorne and I became incredibly obsessed unable to put it down. I was completely lost into this romance comedy and absorbed all of the words on the page. Then to find that it’s also a film and just released on Amazon Prime AND with Lucy Hale starring – excellent.

I was so excited for this romance comedy, I love these sorts of crappy movies. But with ‘The Hating Game’? I feel so disappointed! I don’t know whether it’s because I read the book before or whether it was just a rubbish film. There were hardly any times I laughed and I didn’t feel the romance at all! The two things that are a must for a film within this genre.

To begin with, the plot: it felt ridiculously rushed. There isn’t actually that much that happens within this story. Lucy and Joshua hate each other, their book companies merged and they’ve been forced to work together. The work environment is hostile, even more so when a promotion they both want is thrown into the mix. Then feelings begin to make things even more complicated. That’s all. There are a few major events that occur but they were so rushed in this film. Hardly any time was built on the plot.

Reading the book, the relationship between Lucy and Joshua is executed so much more powerfully. The most important element of the plot is the hatred needed at the beginning, but that wasn’t nearly as hyped as it needed to be in the film. Then when the inevitable feelings (other than hate) got involved, they didn’t make me feel anything and trust me it doesn’t take long to get me on board with a cutesy couple. It just wasn’t there. The characters felt really rigid.

Sad to say, my largest problem with ‘The Hating Game’ is Austin Stowell’s representation of Joshua Templeman. The too neat guy who wears a certain colour suit shirt on a certain day every week like clockwork. The guy who never smiles and all his workers fear him. The guy who keeps his cards incredibly close to his chest. Unfortunately, his character did not reach anywhere near to where it was in the book. I am a big fan of Lucy Hale, but I can’t say she was amazing in this either; although, she wasn’t terrible, she was a thousand times more watchable than other characters.

I really felt disappointed by ‘The Hating Game’. Again, as I said before, perhaps it’s because I’ve read the book beforehand and adored it. But I still didn’t get any of the romance or comedy and trust me it was written there!

Say Anything… (1989)

A teen romcom screaming 1980s vibes through and through, just even with the long coat and rolled up sleeves. This is the movie that contains this iconic scene: John Cusack holding a boombox outside a girl’s house next to his car blaring out ‘In Your Eyes’ declaring that he is not giving up on love. Yes ‘Say Anything…’ is that movie.

The plot of this teen romance comedy seems very typical and alike to so many others. But one thing that cannot be forgotten is that this is a film from 1989. This is one of the original teen movies that embodies this sort of plot, so all of the other romcoms that follow a similar pattern in the genre have used films like this as a basis. Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane Court (Ione Skye) are thrown through an unlikely journey of a summer love. But the inevitable looms at the end of the summer when Diane has college waiting in another country at the end.

There’s a lot more to this drama than just a romance comedy. There’s more than I thought there would be, which was a wonderful surprise. I really enjoyed the drama element. It was a good escapism from all of the romance. Don’t get me wrong I can become lost into a romance movie, but the drama just made it feel so different from stereotypical romcoms, which is a good thing!

‘Say Anything…’ is such a sweet movie. There’s such a simplicity and innocence to the love they believe in. I was a bit skeptical at the beginning, but you couldn’t help but just adore Lloyd Dobler with his undying optimism and simple niceties. He’s not a character that is often represented on screens anymore, probably because it would become overly cheesy. But ‘Say Anything…’ is done so well and John Cusack works his original character on screen with joy.

Can You Keep a Secret? (2019)

Starring Alexandra Daddario and ‘Teen Wolf’s Tyler Hoechlin, ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ follows Emma Corrigan and Jack Harper’s unusual meeting. When Emma believes the plane she’s on is about to crash, she exposes all her secrets to the stranger sat next to her. Unknown to her, this stranger turns up at her work the next day: he’s the company’s CEO. Hilarious plot, and well executed too!

15 minutes in and I was already laughing. The secrets that this woman shares with this supposed stranger is absolutely hilarious. She went full on extreme deep dark secrets. Every single thought she’s ever had, she spilled everything! It was also done so well throughout the film, as she revealed so much, we weren’t exposed to all. The film threw us back to the secret told so when we returned to the present, it just added to the humour. It was very well done.

Alexandra Daddario’s character was just fantastic in this. She was quick to understand and relate too. She made the film really easy watching but also just acted well to also execute the humour and emotion.

Well what an absolutely wonderful film. I loved it! I don’t know why it didn’t get more credit truthfully. It’s really funny! I honestly have never heard of it, and it took a lot of scrolls through Netflix for it to pop up. I completely accept that it was simplistic, but it is what it is and it made me laugh! Alexandra Daddario was definitely the highlight of the movie. It was just simple, easy watching romance comedy.

The Perfect Date (2019)

Another chick flick on Netflix. Starring Noah Centineo who has probably become most well known recently as his role of Peter in the ‘To All The Boys’ film series. ‘The Perfect Date’ follows Brooks (Noah Centineo) whose life goal is to get into Yale University. In order to raise money to pay for his higher education, he becomes the “perfect” stand-in boyfriend for girls to hire him for any date.

I’m not really sold on the plot if I’m completely honest. It just didn’t have much reason behind it. Also, it comes so unrealistically out of the blue. The seed which cemented this idea is absolutely barbaric. It’s completely cheesy chick flick territory, but not a successful one.

I’m so confused by the time scale of this film. The emotions the characters are feeling feel like a lot of time should have passed, but there is no concept of time whatsoever. Also, the characters feel really disconnected from the screen. I had no interest in any of them. The acting also wasn’t great (sorry). The best character by far was Celia (Laura Marano). She was fun to watch.

I’m one for easily falling for the romance in a movie, but I didn’t get that soppy feeling. I didn’t care what happened to the characters. Sadly, it just felt empty.

‘The Perfect Date’ is a not a good film. It’s incredibly one note, completely flat. The plot is beyond simplistic, dare I say it becomes a bit pointless. I didn’t get the romance and I didn’t get the comedy. It was easy watching but it felt a bit time wasting. It’s easily a chick flick to become forgotten in the mass. Unfortunately, ‘The Perfect Date’ just did nothing…

Falling Inn Love (2019)

Doesn’t the name say it all? ‘Falling Inn Love’ follows Gabriela (Christina Milian), a woman from San Francisco who wins an inn in New Zealand. After losing her job and breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, off she goes to New Zealand to see her competition prize. But it’s not everything it all seems, instead it turns into a renovation job and by her side to help is the best contractor the small rural town has to offer, Jake (Adam Demos).

As a Netflix Original romance comedy, this film is incredibly straight forward and simplistic. This isn’t a film to watch out for the twists or even question the predictable ending. It’s one of those rubbish romance comedies that is purely for feel good escapism. I have to admit, it was successful in this manner. It’s not the most memorable film ever, not at all. In fact it’s quite forgettable. But I still adored the plot and was lost for the hour and a half, because I’m such a sucker for romance comedies such as these. I also quite enjoyed seeing the inn being renovated, but that’s because I’m sad…

The two main actors aren’t particularly well known, well I’ve never seen them in anything before. However, this is not a bad thing. I just completely fell into their characters and wanted to escape into New Zealand’s idyllic scenery. I was completely sold by Christina Milian’s character. Strong-willed Gabriela wants to complete this project her own way proving she can move miles away and still be successful. Although, I did really love the character of Jake, I can’t say he’s the best acted. But I can forgive him, it’s a cheesy soppy romcom after all and I did really love his character.

‘Falling Inn Love’ ticks every single box of a cheesy, soppy romance comedy has to offer. There are so many of these films out there, but this one did actually make me laugh. For starters, the goat was hilarious! Ok, there were moments that I wasn’t entirely certain what was happening because the explanation wasn’t always the best and the plot is incredibly basic. But it is what it is: a cheesy, soppy romance comedy. It had the romance, it gave me that feel good cheer; it had the comedy, I was constantly smiling throughout. Netflix… you’ve not done too badly with this one.

How to be Single (2016)

‘How to be Single’ is another romance comedy set in New York. It follows four women as they try to make their journey through single life all wanting different destinations. For me, there were moments of comedy, the romance was definitely less prominent.

The cast of this film is mostly recognisable and good! The main star feels like it should be Dakota Johnson, but Rebel Wilson steals the show. Rebel Wilson definitely has a character she usually plays (within this movie too), and I’m not going to complain because she plays it well. In ‘How to be Single’ she plays the extroverted personality who is carefree and does whatever she wants. Proud to be who she is, she enjoys life on her own, therefore she takes Alice (Dakota Johnson) under her wing teaching her how to be single. Rebel Wilson is the prime reason for comedy within this movie. It’s definitely Rebel Wilson style humour.

Along with Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, other stars include Leslie Mann, Alison Brie, Damon Wayans Jr, Anders Holm, Nicholas Braun and Jason Mantzoukas. There are quite a few characters and time jumps throughout the film to explore how the main four experience single life. I don’t really think many of the characters actually add much to the film. I liked what they explored with Damon Wayans Jr character, although it felt incredibly rushed. And I did like Anders Holm’s character of Tom.

Alison Brie’s character is an odd one. I could have really enjoyed her plot line, but she felt completely disconnected from the other three main women that the movie was based around. I wished they did more for her character.

‘How to be Single’ was quite a mediocre romance comedy. What I liked the most was that it wasn’t your stereotypical romcom. Yes it had all the qualities to tick the boxes, but the actual plot took a turn. There were many references to popular modern culture too which was fun. It is not a romcom I would watch over and over again, and it is no way near some of my favourites. There were moments that made me laugh and it was a fun escapism, but I’m not completely sold.

Coyote Ugly (2000)

From the little city to the big city; Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) decides the move to New York will be her big break in order to become the singer-songwriter she dreams to be. But moving from the security of her house with her dad (John Goodman) to the seedy underbelly streets of New York is more of a shock than she imagines. When it becomes more and more difficult for any labels to listen to her tape, she gets a job as a Coyote in a popular bar named Coyote Ugly.

For a film being made in the 2000, for some reason it has a weird tinge to it. I don’t know whether this is because it’s not set in the sunny, bright New York, but more of a gritty New York or whether I’m just reading too much into it. Anyway, it is something you get over quite quickly.

This is such an easy watching film, it’s not really got any complexities to it whatsoever. ‘Coyote Ugly’ doesn’t hit high with the comedy, but there are moments to just make the audience smile. It’s a fun plot and I’m completely sold by the romance.

‘Coyote Ugly’ is an easy watching romcom, with an incredibly simplistic plot, but has a good soundtrack and some good actors. This movie is proper trashy romcom material. I mostly enjoy this movie purely because I love Kevin (Adam Garcia’s character). He makes this film for me, but I also really like the main song, ‘Can’t Fight the Moonlight’. Overall, it is a trashy romcom film, but I can’t help but still watch it!

Set It Up (2018)

I’ve never actually heard of this romcom before, but strolling through Netflix and they obviously recommend their own Originals. Then once seeing it had Zoey Deutch and Lucy Liu in it, I thought why not. I do love a romance comedy.

Having never heard of it, here’s the plot. Two hard working assistants, Charlie (Glen Powell) and Harper (Zoey Deutch), spend their entire lives at work. In order for them to get a break, their bosses need to be preoccupied with someone else. Hence the hatching of the plan: setting up their bosses so they can have free time.

‘Set It Up’ is definitely successful in the humour. There are multiple times that made me giggle. It helped that I really liked the characters. Lucy Liu will forever be a Charlie’s Angel to me, but her character was fab in this too. I also really liked the main two characters: Harper and Charlie. They executed the humour so naturally and seamlessly that it was easy watching and made me completely buy the whole situation.

Pure joy this film was. It felt like an old style romcom. A romance comedy of early 2000s. I completely adored watching this movie. I fell into the romance, I laughed at the comedy. The characters are fun and the plot is unique. It’s a simplistic film, but one that is easy to escape into and adore. It’s not the most memorable film ever, not many romcoms are. But I still enjoyed the uncomplicated nature of a good giggle and a soppy romance.

Something Borrowed (2011)

‘Something Borrowed’ is one of those early 2000s / early 2010s romance comedies. Completely falling into this category, it has all the essence of great romcoms. I wouldn’t say this is the best one I’ve seen, because I can easily fault it, but it is still one of these films through and through. Heart break, comedy, best friends, romance: it has it all.

Plus it has a great cast! The stars in this film are joyous. Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson and John Krasinski: just excellent. I’ve seen many romcoms starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson; they always seem to star in the romcoms when romcoms were on point. Nevertheless, John Krasinski was the highlight of this film, he was the best character by far and no one can convince me otherwise. He was a fabulous character, and all three actors above mentioned did make me giggle throughout the film.

The plot is simple enough, flawed yes, but simple as most romcoms are. Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Darcy (Kate Hudson) are childhood best friends, but their friendship is tested when Rachel acts on feelings for Darcy’s fiancé. It’s that stereotypical storyline of a man getting in between two best friends. I have to admit, it is an incredibly flawed plot and I’m not sold on how it all panned out… Also, I was constantly on edge throughout the film waiting for the inevitable to happen.

I hate ‘Something Borrowed’ for so many reasons, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but love it and I hate that I loved it too. It’s one of those romcoms that I just can’t help but escape into. But at the same time, I wanted to hate it purely for the plot and purely because they made me love the couple that were doing wrong. Why do I always have a guilty pleasure for romcoms such as these? I hate that I couldn’t stop watching, and I hate that I found it funny romantic escapism. What can I say? I have a weakness for these types of romcoms.