Are Romantic Comedies Back for Their Happily Ever After?
In the words of the most excellent podcast synopsis ever written: we're just a podcast, standing in front of Hollywood, asking for more rom-coms.
Suffice it to say that romantic comedies are the theme of this latest installment from One Moore Hollywood Podcast, an episode Dr. Katie Marpe has been looking forward to for the entirety of the podcast's existence (barely exaggerating here).
In this most anticipated episode, OMHP's other two hosts, Chris Moore and Dennis De Nobile, join Marpe in debating the definition of a romantic comedy, discussing Hollywood's lackluster approach to rom-coms in recent years, and sharing some of their favorite romantic comedies of all time.
Defining the Rom-com
The American Film Institute defines romantic comedy as a genre in which romance development leads to comic situations, implying that while a rom-com has elements of romance and comedy, romance wins out as the focal point. So, while movies like Legally Blonde and Mr. & Mrs. Smith have both elements, the main storylines in these two films are not centered on romance; therefore, they are not true rom-coms.
"I'd argue that in a romantic comedy, you'd say the A storyline is the romance–there's a comedic tone to them getting together."
–Chris Moore
In a test group setting, Moore describes, marketers will ask what the A and B storylines of the movie are to determine what category the film is placed in. "Marketing people and advertisers try to put things into a category so the audience has some kind of comfort with what they're buying a ticket to," Moore says. A romantic comedy has to have the A storyline as the romance. The question of, "Will they or won't they end up together?" has to be the most pressing issue in the movie. Marpe agrees with this definition, while De Nobile says he partially does (he’d appreciate Warm Bodies, Lisa Frankenstein, and even Shaun of the Dead to be considered part of the rom-com category).
Is It Rom-com Revival Time?
Along with the proximity of Valentine's Day, this particular episode was sparked by the relative popularity of the 2023 rom-com Anyone but You, which has made 150 million dollars in box offices worldwide. In a world where movie theater attendance and profit are still fairly low, this caught our hosts' attention. Since each of our hosts (looking at you, De Nobile) is hoping for the revival of the romantic comedy, they wonder if this might be a sign of their resurgence in popular culture.
“Good rom-coms are always going to deliver for the audience.”
–Chris Moore
As rom-coms are a low-budget genre (compared to something like the action-centered Marvel Universe films), the streaming era has shifted how audiences are encouraged to watch them. The more recent rom-coms have almost all skipped the theaters in favor of the streaming services, likely due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the studios' doubts that they could recoup the cost through a theater release.
"Today, on an economic level, when you say let's make a 40 million dollar rom-com, they're like nope, let's make a 200 million dollar Marvel movie."
–Chris Moore
Marpe thinks studios might be underestimating the draw of a well-done romantic comedy, referencing a quote from the founder of L.A.'s Alamo Drafthouse movie theater, Tim League, who said that rather than theaters competing with streaming services, he sees them as competing with everything else people want to go out and do on a Friday night.
Moore agrees with Marpe but points out that it's probably harder to make a well-received rom-com these days, which might be another reason they’re not high on the studios’ to-do lists. Audiences are more jaded and often more discerning than they used to be, and for a rom-com to hit, it’s got to be smart, sharp, and relevant. Marpe adds that rom-coms have historically been predominantly white, both makers and actors. As she says, we’re just starting to see a movement in Hollywood to add some diversity to the rom-com landscape (Crazy Rich Asians being a popular and recent example).
As much as Marpe loves theaters, streaming also makes sense for romantic comedies, seeing as one of the unique aspects of a rom-com is its innate re-watchability (cue the list of her favorite classics such as Roman Holiday, When Harry Met Sally, and How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days).
Moore Favorite Rom-coms
As part of the research component of this episode, OMHP reached out to some of the younger generations (thank you to Marpe’s cousin Meghan and former student Reina, as well as the University of Vermont basketball team!) and gathered information on the rom-coms they've watched and loved. Surprisingly, their lists matched up rather nicely with OMHP’s.
Off these Gen Z lists, we have 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight's Tale, How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally, Crazy Stupid Love, While You Were Sleeping, The Apartment, Notting Hill, and Set It Up.
From our hosts, we have the additional favorites of Wedding Crashers, Roxanne, Something's Gotta Give, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Proposal (Moore), Easy A, 500 Days of Summer (shout out to rom-coms that don't end with the love interests staying together), 50 First Dates, 13 Going on 30, Love Actually, and The Holiday (Marpe).
Considering how many people have written off rom-coms as a dead genre, it's hugely exciting for rom-com lovers to see a contemporary film such as Anyone but You make such a big box office splash. Glen Powell, an actor in Anyone but You, commented that seeing the box office growth for this film has been an incredible lesson: "Sometimes the genres that have been forgotten are the ones audiences are craving the most."
Long live the rom-com!
Listen to the entire episode here: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio.
