The Best Romantic Comedies

I wouldn’t say I’m a massive fan of romantic comedies and I hate the term ‘rom-com’, but the other day when my brain was feeling fried and I couldn’t face anything too taxing, Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman in Last Chance Harvey proved to me that sometimes a romantic comedy can be just what you need. So, feeling all warm and fuzzy, I decided to compile my Top 5 Romantic Comedies…

5) There’s Something About Mary, 1998

Rom-com virtuoso Ben Stiller stars as geeky Ted, a man who hires a private detective to track down his high-school sweetheart, Mary (played by Cameron Diaz). A highlight is comedy-genius Lee Evans as Tucker, a pizza delivery boy who falls in love with Mary and pretends to be a British architect to impress her.

4) Bridget Jones’s Diary, 2001

The stunning Hollywood actress Renée Zellweger actually succeeds in giving a believable performance as Bridget Jones, an overweight, unlucky singleton from the Home Counties. Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the ever so dashing Colin Firth recreates the magic of his role as Mr Darcy in the early-90s BBC production, giving an adorable performance as Mark Darcy, a misunderstood posh barrister.

3) 2 Days in Paris, 2007

Julie Delpy directed and starred in 2 Days in Paris, a funny and soulful look at the relationship of a French woman Marion (Delpy) and her American boyfriend Jack (Adam Goldberg). They have been travelling Europe for 2 weeks and decide to stop in Paris to drop in on Marion’s family and friends. The inevitable clichés provide plenty of laughs, but Delpy also successfully captures the dilemmas experienced by many 30-somethings.

2) Lost In Translation, 2003

Sofia Coppola’s film follows two Americans (Bob and Charlotte) living in Tokyo, trying to overcome the inescapable cultural and linguistic barriers. Bill Murray is brilliant as Bob, a has-been actor and Scarlett Johansson is perfect for the role of Charlotte, a young and beautiful wife of a visiting photographer. The love between these 2 characters is not one of lust but one of psychological need, making the film stand out from your run-of-the-mill, vomit-inducing love story.

1) Annie Hall, 1977

The ultimate romantic comedy, Annie Hall tells the tale of neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) and his girlfriend Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). The film traces the course of their relationship from their very first meeting to their break-up. Annie Hall is Woody Allen at his best, as he transcends a simple, romantic premise to create a stunning portrait of human nature. Not a line is wasted in Annie Hall. There are no cheap laughs – each line is both witty and poignant, and the chemistry between Keaton and Allen is compelling.

~ by aparkin on July 9, 2009.