Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Top 10 RomComs (romantic comedies)

After reading this article titled Top 10 romcoms of all time (via The First Post), I just had to share my own list of top ten romcoms: Bringing Up Baby (1938) - Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant This old-fashioned screwball comedy is also on my list of top ten favourite movies. It's a very funny movie about an eccentric woman and her pet leopard called "Baby" and a harried paleontologist (Cary Grant). If you ever feel depressed, you should watch this movie. It is guaranteed to lift your mood and make you smile. The Philadelphia Story (1940) - Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart This movie is another one that is also on my list of top ten favourite movies. The storyline is about a wealthy divorced woman about to get married again and how she ends up torn between her fiancé, her ex-husband, and a reporter. The sterling performances by the three lead actors make this delightful movie one of the best ever romantic comedies. French Kiss (1995) - Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline This movie is a perfect romantic comedy in my opinion. The movie has the perfect balance - it is very romantic but also very very funny. And it's another movie that is on my list of top ten favourite movies. The chemistry between Meg and Kevin in this movie is incredible. The biggest surprise is that Kevin Kline (an American actor) plays the part of a Frenchman and he is very, very convincing. Plus it's filmed in France - definitely a bonus for any romantic movie! And there is a lovely, evocative soundtrack with the best song saved for last as the credits roll - Charles Trenet's "La Mer", performed by Kevin Kline in French. The perfect finishing touch to a perfect movie! Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) - Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Simon Callow, John Hannah This British movie is popular with everyone and for good reason. It's romantic but also laugh-out-loud funny and also quite poignant. The famous scene where Gareth (Simon Callow) is having his heart attack and Charles (Hugh Grant) is desperately looking for Matthew (John Hannah) always gets to me. And then the funeral...when Matthew makes his speech and recites "Funeral Blues" by W.H. Auden. Notting Hill (1999) - Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts This British movie is a sweet and funny story about a very rich and very famous American movie star and a British bookshop owner who works and lives in Notting Hill and how they meet and fall in love despite their hugely different lifestyles. The characters are played to perfection against the backdrop of London. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks This charming movie has the perfect stars and a sweet and totally believable romance, which is engineered by the young son of a widower played by Tom Hanks. The movie has all the right ingredients for a genuine romantic comedy plus one of the best movie soundtracks with songs such as "As Time Goes By" and "Make Someone Happy" by Jimmy Durante and "Stand By Your Man" by Tammy Wynette. While You Were Sleeping (1995) - Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman I love this movie because all the characters are so darn loveable - not just the main characters. It's about a young woman who saves the life of a man and while she visits him in the hospital, his family mistakenly assume she is his fiancée. I adore the interaction between the characters of the man's family. It's very believable and also very funny. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) - Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth This British movie is based on the novel of the same name written by Helen Fielding. The author admitted that her novel was based upon Jane Austen's book, Pride and Prejudice and also the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. So it's a nice little "joke" and a bonus that the actor, Colin Firth was cast as Mark Darcy since Colin Firth played Mr Darcy in the BBC production. Bridget Jones is a loveable character and her being romanced by two handsome men who are also very opposite characters makes for a very funny and very sweet romantic story. And the American actress, Renee Zellweger is impressive in her role as the very English Bridget Jones. Her accent is perfect. Overboard (1987) - Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell Goldie Hawn plays the part of a rich, spoiled woman who ends up developing amnesia after a fall (as you do in movies!) and being tricked into believing she is married to a widower (Kurt Russell) and mother to his four very badly behaved children. It's a predictable romantic comedy but it's still very funny and good family entertainment. And the chemistry between the lead actors is very real since Goldie and Kurt are a couple in real-life. Something's Gotta Give (2003) - Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves Who would have thought that Jack Nicholson could play a romantic lead and be believable? Well he did and he is. I was also surprised by the chemistry between Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. It really works. I love this movie because it shows an older couple in a romantic movie and it's not insulting or demeaning in any way. In fact, the characters are lovable and quite believable. I also love the way the movie portrays a younger man (Keanu Reeves) falling in love with an older woman. Again, it's quite believable. And why not? This is just a delightful romantic comedy. What do you think of my list? Which romcoms would be on your top 10 list?

3 comments:

  1. The Philedelphia Story is one of my favourite movies, as is Bringing Up Baby. I've seen, and enjoyed, all the others you list with Four Weddings and a Funeral being the one I'm always happy to sit down and watch again.
    I would have Love Actually on my list. xx
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Actually

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  2. It isn't my favorite genre, but definitely "Love Actually"

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  3. I have to agree that "Love Actually" is another good romcom and it was nearly on my list of top ten.

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