Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Why rom-coms suck

Options
  • 18-05-2010 11:43pm
    #1
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,142 CMod ✭✭✭✭


    or: A critical examination of the failings of the romantic comedy genre. Sorry, needed a catchier headline :pac:

    Through forces entirely out of my control (ahem), I have had the misfortune to endure a couple of contemporary rom-coms lately, namely the likes of The Ugly Truth, The Proposal and He's Just Not That Into You. I won't bore you with the details of how I ended up watching these films, although in my defence I was tricked into watching the latter and was getting paid for watching the two others. These are three films that reminded me how horrific the rom-com has become.

    DISCLAIMER: This thread is a general one in relation to modern rom-coms, but I must point out that I am by no means entirely dismissing the genre. Many of my favourite films could be labeled a romantic comedy, classic cinema still has wonderful examples of the genre, and even modern stuff like Jerry Maguire shows good directors can still work wonders within one of the most confined of all genres. This is referring to a very specific subset of contemporary, mainstream romantic comedies. I can't verify this with statistics, but I'm pretty much 100% of them feature either a) Gerard Butler b) Sandra Bullock or c) Jennifer Aniston. Someday all three shall star in a film together, and I officially predict that day to be Armageddon. END DISCLAIMER.

    A couple of common criticisms have arisen when enduring these films. Although this is pretty bad practice, I am also assuming that the same is true of other particularly shrill rom-coms such as Leap Year or The Back-Up Plan. I feel relatively confident in my assumptions. Anyway, here are the major issues of why, and excuse my language here, these films suck ass:

    a) Characters: With only a few exceptions, pretty much every character in these films are unlikable idiots. All women are portrayed as shrill, man hungry and shallow people whose only goal in life is to get impregnated and/or married as soon as humanly possible (90 minutes in most cases). Whoever the hell Gennifer Goodwin plays in He's Just Not... is a particularly irksome example of this. Men tend to be equally shallow and often misogynistic; Gerard Butler in the Ugly Truth an obnoxious case in point. How are we meant to root for these peoples, who incidentally tend to be our protagonists? Not only that, but...

    b) Idiot + Idiot = Success? This comes down to the romantic aspect of the 'romantic comedy' label. Now, good romances tend to bring together two people the audience genuinely care for - I'll cite Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanson in Lost in Translation as the modern perfect cinematic couple. The 'good' couples can have flaws, but to really root for them you really need to believe they deserve to be together. I'll admit that these 'bad' couples also deserve to be together, but in the completely wrong way. To be honest, when most of these people end up together I consider it an extreme form of punishment, as opposed to a favourable romantic conclusion. I must say I felt sorry for Ben Affleck in He's Just Not... though. The only character with a shred of backbone in the whole film, he ignored Jennifer Aniston's childish demands to be married for the entirety of the film. Then, in a last minute reversal, he gives into the horrible excuse for a romantic partner (spoiler, if for some reason you couldn't guess this resolution by looking at the fricking poster) by agreeing to marry her. Poor Ben, you deserved better.

    c) Why exactly do these people 'love' each other? This is a source of constant confusion to me in particular. Most of them end up bickering for 90% of the run-time, only to suddenly decide they want to spend their lives together. It's nice that you love Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, so why in the name of hell did you blackmail and bully him for an hour and a half I'll never get back? It's basically like if a cat was a chasing a mouse, then suddenly decided that the mouse wasn't actually food, and in fact a potential mate. It makes about as much sense as a recent Richard Kelly film,
    i.e. none.

    d) Comedy. This one's a bit more subjective, but honestly these films are about as humourous as that scene where Bambi's mother died. The situations the characters find themselves in tend to be broad, absurd and mostly crass distortions of social conventions. This can be done well (see: Spinal Tap, Monty Python) but when the film-makers clearly think a character using the word 'vagina' or accidentally seeing another one naked is a suitable punch-line, well I'm not laughing. I'm weeping for humanity.

    e) Generalisations. I honestly think everyone in Hollywood has been overdosing on copies of 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus'. All of these films tend to base themselves upon the basic assumption that 'Gosh, aren't women and men like so crazy different?'. Yes, they are different, but that doesn't mean every man is an obnoxious idiot and everyone woman a manipulative dope. At worst, these films can be borderline racist: Leap Year anyone? (Note: I am fully aware that this now way too long rant is one big generalisation. How and ever...)

    I'll wrap this up now with a final observation: these films fail primarily because they are completely unsuccessful at being either romantic or comedies. For me, it is the genre that sums up why Hollywood gets such a bad name: cheap, endlessly similar and generic trash dished up on an almost weekly basis. To me this is a damn shame, as there is little in cinema more effective than a good romance. Yet, having had the misfortune of witnessing these few abominations, the words 'rom-com' and 'Gerard Butler' are ones that have increasingly negative connotations that are even rubbing off on other, more talented people (Judd Apatow springs to mind).

    Also apologies for the length of this post, but if at least one person decides not to watch 'He's Just Not That Into You' or whatever rubbish is pumped out next, than I hope that my misfortune will lead to some sort of good. If you are a fan of these films, there are better films out there, I assure you - check out the Apartment, Jerry Maguire, Before Sunset or countless others! I hate simplifying things to genre, but the contemporary rom-com is one 'genre' that needs to end, and fast.


«1

Comments

  • Options
    #2
    .Moosejam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭.Moosejam


    they do fair business at the BO though so I doubt things will change


  • Options
    #3
    sprinkles
    Registered Users Posts: 4,510 ✭✭✭sprinkles


    Couldn't agree more with you! Had a similar rant here a while back after walking into the cinema to see the poster for Bounty Hunter... yet another completely predictable formulaic film with one of the popular (wooden) Rom-Com actors. Life is just too short. I avoid at all costs.

    Edit: Here's my rant - the posters really f**king annoy me too :)


  • Options
    #4
    ztoical
    Registered Users Posts: 4,788 ✭✭✭ztoical


    I could write this same rant but replace the word film with book. I worked in a book store for a few years and would be driven mad by the number of chick lit soon to be a rom com film books that sold and how frantic people were when a new one came out cus they all seemed pretty much the same to me. They aren't well written, the characters are boring and they all end the same. As a woman they annoy the hell out of me cus no matter what the female lead has going for her work, career, interest wise at the start by the end it will all be about being with some bloke who has treated her like crap right until the last chapter. I will at least give the likes of mills and boon books a bit of credit [very very small bit] cus at least they usually have some porn bits in them but the stuff by Bertie's young one, dear god, how can anyone read that crap?
    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    the contemporary rom-com is one 'genre' that needs to end, and fast.

    I agree but also realize some friends will be out of work :D. Rom-coms from a studio point of view are prob some of the easiest films to make production wise cus they are so cookie cutter as far as characters, location, plot etc and tend not to have very complicated camera shots or set ups. My friend was the A camera 1st on both Bride Wards and The Bounty Hunter and I think summing up how crap they are he couldn't remember which one was which...they just blurred into "crap generic chick flick"


  • Options
    #5
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,142 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    ztoical wrote: »
    I will at least give the likes of mills and boon books a bit of credit [very very small bit] cus at least they usually have some porn bits in them

    Indeed, the typical rom-com would be vastly improved by pornographic interludes. Actually, Sandra Bullock is usually involved, so maybe that isn't the best idea.
    I agree but also release some friends will be out of work :D. Rom-coms from a studio point of view are prob some of the easiest films to make production wise cus they are so cookie cutter as far as characters, location, plot etc and tend not to have very complicated camera shots or set ups. My friend was the A camera 1st on both Bride Wards and The Bounty Hunter and I think summing up how crap they are he couldn't remember which one was which...they just blurred into "crap generic chick flick"

    Yeah there is an industry around it, I think it isn't going to suddenly collapse. Jobs are jobs at the end of the day, I hope to hell all the people making them know they are mass-producing crap. It does concern me though how popular these things are - it is a more an issue that there is so much stuff out there that is better. It's a damn shame people settle for crap, but people settle for a hell of a lot of crap in reality.

    Also, since The Bounty Hunter brings together two members of the unholy rom-com trinity, your friend is basically assisting the Horsemen of the Apocalypse :p


    @sprinkles - I totally agree on the poster issue. I've said it before, and you said it in your post to, but the vast majority of these films can be reasonably guessed just by looking at the poster!


  • Options
    #6
    ztoical
    Registered Users Posts: 4,788 ✭✭✭ztoical


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    Yeah there is an industry around it, I think it isn't going to suddenly collapse. Jobs are jobs at the end of the day, I hope to hell all the people making them know they are mass-producing crap. It does concern me though how popular these things are - it is a more an issue that there is so much stuff out there that is better. It's a damn shame people settle for crap, but people settle for a hell of a lot of crap in reality.p

    O they know the films are crap but their view is they are crew not creatives -it's the writers, directors and actors that come up this crap. They just point the camera where they are told and that's it. They are considered very good jobs from their point of view as union rates are always good on them, they are usually simple to film, rarely run over [though Bride Wars tested one my friends as it ran several weeks over and involved a few weeks of night shots but they were shooting in central park right by his apartment so wasn't all bad] It's work on these or work on one of the Law and Orders if you live in New York. Very easy to say just don't make them but a job is a job and when it's pretty much freelance contract stuff that's putting food on the table you take whats going.

    I blame the writers for having no imagination.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,142 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    ztoical wrote: »
    O they know the films are crap but their view is they are crew not creatives -it's the writers, directors and actors that come up this crap. They just point the camera where they are told and that's it. They are considered very good jobs from their point of view as union rates are always good on them, they are usually simple to film, rarely run over [though Bride Wars tested one my friends as it ran several weeks over and involved a few weeks of night shots but they were shooting in central park right by his apartment so wasn't all bad] It's work on these or work on one of the Law and Orders if you live in New York. Very easy to say just don't make them but a job is a job and when it's pretty much freelance contract stuff that's putting food on the table you take whats going.

    I blame the writers for having no imagination.

    Yeah when it comes to film sometimes you've get to take what you get. I think the South Park joke about porpoices determining Adam Sandler movies isn't too off the mark. I'm guessing most writers are just given a vague outline and told to run with it. If you're just the cameraman like your friend, you could definitely look it as just a job. The creatives are the ones to blame, although even then I'm sure it's up to the studio to greenlight generic Kate Hudson Movie 76.


  • Options
    #8
    Basq
    Registered Users Posts: 43,781 ✭✭✭✭Basq


    Superb post johnny_ultimate.

    This is one genre I REFUSE to endure anymore. My girlfriend loves rom-com's but they're for girly nights out with her friends or watching when I'm at least 3 rooms.. no, make that 3 houses away. I will not watch them anymore!

    I have a lot of problems with rom-com's I've watched in the past - most of which you have outlined in your opening post - but the big thing is the writing and characters.

    Characters are both stereotypical and wafer-thin - men are bastards for the first half of the movie (and will typically be having endless one-night stands) while women are doe-eyed princesses (and are typically a real pushover).. yet they'll turn into goons for each other before the credit rolls. The male lead always has a goofy friend and the female lead always has a sensible friend - but both offer great relationship advice.

    The writing is lazy - along with one-dimensional characters, we are subjected to them some unbelievably clichéd dialogue.

    The male lead's dialogue can be summarised as follows: "Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?", "we'll never BE together. You're intolerable!" and "I never believed I could love someone until I met you!".

    The female lead's dialogue can be summarised as follows: "you're a ghastly terrible man!", "I believe there's a part of you somewhere in there that wants me too" and "you had me at hello!" (OK.. that last one, maybe not so much!).

    An absolutely horrible genre which unfortunately I can't see changing anytime soon!


  • Options
    #9
    MrSir
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭MrSir


    Nearly all romantic comedies these days just hang on the 'will they won't they?' premise that would be excusable if the films managed to be funny,charming,nice.Which they aren't.These rom com's are just filled with over the top slapstick with no sense of restraint that feature sterotypical characters who no one can relate to.What ever happened to the good old days of the apartment?


  • Options
    #10
    thegoodgirl
    Registered Users Posts: 159 ✭✭thegoodgirl


    As a girl who loves Roms Coms I agree completely with you. The oldies are def the best.

    The only one recently that I actually liked was It's complicated. I have to say it was funny. and had a steller cast (Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin). The film mostly worked cause the actors in themselves are credible.

    But the rest have been pure muck. Which is very sad for me. I need a new genre to watch. I am not even bothered to go see sex and the city 2, talk about flogging a dead horse.


  • Options
    #11
    podgemonster
    Registered Users Posts: 2,228 ✭✭✭podgemonster


    Completely agree with the OP. These are the most predictable movies made these days.

    Hugh Grant is the King of Rom-Com. Whats that film where Hugh Grant plays that charming funny English bloke who hooks up with the female lead?? Hmmmmm? Oh wait ever single movie hes been in (apart from Extreme measure w/Gene Hackman, not a bad show tbh).

    I also think Twlight sage books and movies fall into these categories too, maybe not the comedy but the terrible hopeless gut wrenching romance.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #12
    MrSir
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭MrSir


    thegoodgirl wrote: »
    The only one recently that I actually liked was It's complicated. I have to say it was funny. and had a steller cast (Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin). The film mostly worked cause the actors in themselves are credible. QUOTE]

    Ewwwww Nancy Meyers?I hate her films of property porn and characters who laugh hilariously at their own jokes(Well thats my opinion).The best rom-com I've seen lately was Adventureland.Just a very sweet movie really.


  • Options
    #13
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,142 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    basquille wrote: »

    The male lead's dialogue can be summarised as follows: "Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?", "we'll never BE together. You're intolerable!" and "I never believed I could love someone until I met you!".

    The female lead's dialogue can be summarised as follows: "you're a ghastly terrible man!", "I believe there's a part of you somewhere in there that wants me too" and "you had me at hello!" (OK.. that last one, maybe not so much!).

    Freaks & Geeks quote = win ;) F&G is a perfect example of how do romance and comedy well, actually. Very funny, characters viewers can relate to, flawed but lovable couples who usually end up together because they should, or more regularly fall apart because they should.

    The stereotypes are frustrating, and I'm sure there's some people out there who believe Leap Year is how male/female interaction should be. Scary. It also doesn't help that most of these films are extremely mean-spirited, seemingly unconcerned with constantly torturing their characters for cheap laughs.
    podgemonster wrote: »
    I also think Twlight sage books and movies fall into these categories too, maybe not the comedy but the terrible hopeless gut wrenching romance.

    To start on 'Supernatural Romance' (honestly - this is a real section in Chapters book shop) would take another couple of thousand words!
    MrSir wrote: »
    The best rom-com I've seen lately was Adventureland.Just a very sweet movie really.

    A wonderful film alright, definitely benefiting from the warm sense of nostalgia and well-drawn characters, although for me was more of a drama. Yet another example of how romances can work well. There's countless positive examples - a few others that spring to mind would be the nice little surprise In Search of a Midnight Kiss from a year or two back or classic Woody Allen ones like Annie Hall.

    EDIT: While I was writing this post I was listening to a song I'd never heard before that kept on repeating the words romantic comedy. Damn you, coincidences, and the Hold Steady!


  • Options
    #14
    liah
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,750 ✭✭✭liah


    God, I hate that girls eat this shít up. All it does is propagate a stereotype and makes us as a gender look completely, utterly vapid. I hate rom coms and romance novels. With a passion. Waste of film and paper.

    I wonder why so many girls play into this image of being.. well, dumb. Loving films that have no plot or redeeming qualities at all but "omg that boy in it is so cute!!!1" I mean like.. really? Really? Please tell me it's just an act. But if it is an act, it's even worse.

    I fear for my gender.


  • Options
    #15
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,142 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    liah wrote: »
    God, I hate that girls eat this shít up. All it does is propagate a stereotype and makes us as a gender look completely, utterly vapid. I hate rom coms and romance novels. With a passion. Waste of film and paper.

    I wonder why so many girls play into this image of being.. well, dumb. Loving films that have no plot or redeeming qualities at all but "omg that boy in it is so cute!!!1" I mean like.. really? Really? Please tell me it's just an act. But if it is an act, it's even worse.

    I fear for my gender.

    I totally agree. The people who embrace this stuff, and in many cases embracing the values, obviously can't see past how shallow this garbage is. Gender roles are nowhere near as simple as these films preach, and the fact that the messages are constantly being repeated is worrying. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with escapism on occasion. I know plenty of perfectly cinema literate girls who have 'girls nights in' watching this rubbish, but do so ironically and knowingly. Fair enough, there are plenty of nights where I will knowingly watch crap too (I have the occasional weakness for superhero movies, which can be as generic as anything too). But it is a sad fact that some girls watch these films, and only these films, which for me is a real shame.


  • Options
    #16
    Basq
    Registered Users Posts: 43,781 ✭✭✭✭Basq


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    Freaks & Geeks quote = win ;) F&G is a perfect example of how do romance and comedy well, actually. Very funny, characters viewers can relate to, flawed but lovable couples who usually end up together because they should, or more regularly fall apart because they should.
    And let's not forget 'Freaks And Geeks' parodied this over-the-top vapid romantic dreck in the opening scene of the pilot:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai1FHufz_HY


    "I love you so much it scares me!"

    :D


  • Options
    #17
    ShagNastii
    Registered Users Posts: 4,811 ✭✭✭ShagNastii


    I remember when I broke up with a girlfriend a few months back and was really trying to think of negetives to get over her. I won't lie one of the biggest I told myself was for every The Wrestler or Gran Torino I gave her, all I got back was He's just not that into you or the ugly truth.

    What a b*tch!!! :D


  • Options
    #18
    MrSir
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭MrSir


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    Freaks & Geeks quote = win ;) F&G is a perfect example of how do romance and comedy well, actually. Very funny, characters viewers can relate to, flawed but lovable couples who usually end up together because they should, or more regularly fall apart because they should.
    I love F&G!It really shows how easy romance should be.Just avoid cliches and make the characters likeable and connectable.OH and have Martin Starr.ALWAYS have Martin Starr.


  • Options
    #19
    davenewt
    Registered Users Posts: 482 ✭✭davenewt


    Well said Johnny!

    Reminds me of something I came across the other day but didn't bother reading myself until now...

    http://www.cracked.com/funny-4725-nicholas-sparks/

    ( via http://fontfeed.com/archives/screenfonts-april-2010/ )


  • Options
    #20
    ShiverinEskimo
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 18,115 ✭✭✭✭ShiverinEskimo


    You missed a common formula present in all Film/TV targetted at women.

    The lead will always end up in a cringe-worthy embarassing situation.

    I'm convinced this formula is what keeps girls hooked by playing out their worst fear of being embarassed in front of their friends/peers. Just look at desperate housewives for a prime example. One embarassing situation after another for the main characters.

    Damn my loving of the champion's league - meant I always had to endure desperate housewives afterwards to keep things 'fair'.


  • Options
    #21
    A V A
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭A V A


    i dont know weather this is relevant but i found 500 days of summer good the way everyting wasnt mapped out like other romance films and doesnt end the same as other romace films


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #22
    Liam O
    Registered Users Posts: 19,081 ✭✭✭✭Liam O


    Went to see Date Night and the first half of it seemed to be following the trend and was reasonably unfunny dross but towards the end turned into a very funny movie with some fantastic cameos and some very nice small touches. It benefited by having 2 great T.V. comedy actors in the lead roles but also had reputable movie actors playing some extremely good roles. I wish more rom-coms were like it...


  • Options
    #23
    ztoical
    Registered Users Posts: 4,788 ✭✭✭ztoical


    A V A wrote: »
    i dont know weather this is relevant but i found 500 days of summer good the way everyting wasnt mapped out like other romance films and doesnt end the same as other romace films

    I watched (500) days of summer purely because Joseph Gordon-Levitt was in it. I think he's turned into a damn good actor in recent years and has put out enough good performances in some low budget/indie films to make me willing to give most films he's in a go [drawing the line at GI Jo] and I think it's a really nice little film that proves you can do something different with a rom com and make a good film. I think it works cus it doesn't star the standard rom com actors - the majority of the actors in it are coming from the more current indie LA film scene, it's the directors 1st film so it's not cookie cutter rom com stuff for him [though it is pretty clear from the on set he is coming from a music video back ground] and the writer based it off an actual relationship he had. I could understand and accept the relationship in the film, hell I've had the relationship in this film - from both sides. But the best thing about the film
    they don't live happily ever after! no big declaration of love, no shot of them both running in the rain and embracing and going all gooy at each other, they meet, they shag, they date, they break up


  • Options
    #24
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 29,142 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    ztoical wrote: »
    I watched (500) days of summer purely because Joseph Gordon-Levitt was in it. I think he's turned into a damn good actor in recent years and has put out enough good performances in some low budget/indie films to make me willing to give most films he's in a go [drawing the line at GI Jo] and I think it's a really nice little film that proves you can do something different with a rom com and make a good film. I think it works cus it doesn't star the standard rom com actors - the majority of the actors in it are coming from the more current indie LA film scene, it's the directors 1st film so it's not cookie cutter rom com stuff for him [though it is pretty clear from the on set he is coming from a music video back ground] and the writer based it off an actual relationship he had. I could understand and accept the relationship in the film, hell I've had the relationship in this film - from both sides. But the best thing about the film
    they don't live happily ever after! no big declaration of love, no shot of them both running in the rain and embracing and going all gooy at each other, they meet, they shag, they date, they break up

    Most importantly, it had Zooey :pac:

    I agree though, (500) Days was a pleasant change from the usual fare. Two characters who you really want to see get together,
    but at the same time you can't get rid of that niggling feeling that they aren't quite right for each other.
    I also loved that they embraced some of the cheesiness that comes with the territory - the musical number is twee, yet fun and bubbly at the same time. Not every rom-com trope is necessarily bad, it's just the way they're used makes the difference between memorable and obnoxious. If you're working with Joseph Gordon-Devitt and Zooey Deschanel, I'm pretty sure you have a higher chance of success in any case! Just goes to show well-drawn characters can make or break a film of the kind too.

    Really can't recommend this enough though:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50r7VKl1pN8


  • Options
    #25
    Handsome Bob
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,905 ✭✭✭✭Handsome Bob


    I hate rom-coms and chick flicks because of what they represent. These days, unless it's a Judd Apatow movie, it's all just so infuriatingly shallow. The sleaze/creep is always played by (at best) peculiar looking characters. Whereas the alleged "good guy" is always a perfect looking adonis.

    The female lead always seems to be some hard nosed cow that dismisses the male lead for being such an ass, only to then inexplicably embrace and declare their love for each other in a scene that would make you want to wretch.

    I just ****ing hate them. :mad:


  • Options
    #26
    sink
    Registered Users Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    Agree with OP in general but there are exceptions

    Good modern Rom-Coms (imo)

    Garden State
    (500) Days of Summer
    Juno
    Adventureland
    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind


  • Options
    #27
    MrSir
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭MrSir


    This maybe getting off subject here but when watching Judd Apatow movies with the formula of 'ugly guy gets the attractive girl' it made me think that formula rarely works in the opposite direction.Is the world not ready to see ugly girls get with hot guys?
    Oh and don't get the impression that I'm criticising Apatow's work here, his romantic comedies are the only funny and sweet rom-coms made today.


  • Options
    #28
    ztoical
    Registered Users Posts: 4,788 ✭✭✭ztoical


    MrSir wrote: »
    This maybe getting off subject here but when watching Judd Apatow movies with the formula of 'ugly guy gets the attractive girl' it made me think that formula rarely works in the opposite direction.Is the world not ready to see ugly girls get with hot guys?
    Oh and don't get the impression that I'm criticising Apatow's work here, his romantic comedies are the only funny and sweet rom-coms made today.

    O there's plenty of films where the "ugly/geek/nerd" girl gets the guy but it's normally because she has some make over and it's discovered she's actually a pretty girl underneath and now that she's got a dress and make up on every guy wants her cus lets face it if you want someone they should like you for whats on the outside and you should be ready to change everything about yourself in order to get the guy after all girls that's the most important thing in your life not being yourself, having a career or interests outside of your guy :mad:....eh....sorry bit of rant there :D


  • Options
    #29
    MrSir
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭MrSir


    ztoical wrote: »
    O there's plenty of films where the "ugly/geek/nerd" girl gets the guy but it's normally because she has some make over and it's discovered she's actually a pretty girl underneath and now that she's got a dress and make up on every guy wants her cus lets face it if you want someone they should like you for whats on the outside and you should be ready to change everything about yourself in order to get the guy after all girls that's the most important thing in your life not being yourself, having a career or interests outside of your guy :mad:....eh....sorry bit of rant there :D
    Perfectly understandable rant.Ever seen the house bunny?My God it's such a hypocritical moving picture (Yeah I'm a 16 year old who says Moving Picture Check it).The message:It's the inside that counts as long as your as hot as you can be on the outside and get that guy who has no personality what so ever!
    That was my rant :D


  • Options
    #30
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 50,864 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    I really liked Just Friends as a rom-com but other than that they are all vapid crap. What really gets me are the unbelieveable characters that are more annoying than likeable and don't deserve to be with anyone and the way they replace comedy with putting the characters in ridiculous and embarassing situations.
    Untitled Image




  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #31
    seraphimvc
    Registered Users Posts: 3,356 ✭✭✭seraphimvc


    liah wrote: »
    God, I hate that girls eat this shít up. All it does is propagate a stereotype and makes us as a gender look completely, utterly vapid. I hate rom coms and romance novels. With a passion. Waste of film and paper.

    I wonder why so many girls play into this image of being.. well, dumb. Loving films that have no plot or redeeming qualities at all but "omg that boy in it is so cute!!!1" I mean like.. really? Really? Please tell me it's just an act. But if it is an act, it's even worse.

    I fear for my gender.
    i honestly think that 95% of girls are into this kinda stuff until they hit 30s (turn into woman),lord saves us :pac:

    heck,even some women above 30s are still into them......


Advertisement