There are countless so-called “classic” romantic comedies, but let’s be honest: not all of them deserve that title. With Valentine’s Day approaching (and in the spirit of some self-inflicted suffering), I decided to watch six well-known and well-loved rom-coms, some for the first time and others as a rewatch. After enduring the highs and lows of the genre, I landed on three I genuinely enjoyed and three I couldn’t stand.
THE THREE I HATE:
“Sweet Home Alabama”
I’m starting strong with a film I despise: “Sweet Home Alabama.” The premise is absurd, and I hate it; Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) is engaged to be married but is never able to finalize her divorce from her high school sweetheart, Jake (Josh Lucas). The only redeeming quality here is Reese Witherspoon’s performance as Melanie — and maybe Jake, her husband she’s trying to divorce, who has a certain weird and offputting charm. Beyond that, it’s a disaster. Melanie supposedly sent Jake endless divorce papers over seven years, while he continuously refused to sign them.
So, naturally, instead of seeking legal intervention (which is an actual option here), she heads back to Alabama to convince him in person as they fall back in love. If that plot sounds frustratingly idiotic, it’s because it is. Beyond the stupid plot, it’s also overtly racist. Black characters are nonexistent, and the few that are present work on Bob Ray’s plantation. The film is weirdly interested in Confederate apologism. Overall, this movie is a hard pass.
“You’ve Got Mail”
While “You’ve Got Mail” isn’t inherently terrible, it is profoundly stupid. The film follows two rival bookstore owners — Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), running a small children’s bookstore, and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), running a corporate chain — who unknowingly fall in love online while despising each other in real life. Joe is an awful person who shows zero remorse for putting Kathleen out of business, yet we’re expected to root for him in his romantic pursuit of her. His online persona is inexplicably kinder than his real-life self, making his character feel inconsistent and manipulative.
Don’t get me started on the idea that two people can develop a deep and meaningful connection purely through online messaging. This is all while being completely unaware of their real-life connection and business rivalry, it feels unrealistic. With little emotional depth and development between Kathleen and Joe, the movie ultimately falls flat.
“27 Dresses”
Admittedly, I don’t hate “27 Dresses,” but this one was the most underwhelming of the remaining four. The film follows Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigl), a bridesmaid who has participated in 27 weddings and loves helping others plan their special day. As she struggles with her feelings of secretly being in love with her boss, who is engaged to her sister, wedding journalist Kevin Doyle (James Marsden) writes a story about her never-ending role as a bridesmaid. Sounds like a fun plot right? The biggest issue: Kevin is a creep. He steals pages from Jane’s planner (which is beyond weird), exploits her for his article and is generally a jerk. On top of that, the characters are just off. George kisses Jane immediately after breaking off his engagement to her sister. The whole thing feels rushed and uncomfortable, making it difficult to fully invest in any of the film’s romance.
THE THREE I LOVE:
“Mamma Mia!”
“Mamma Mia!” was the first movie I enjoyed out of the six. While I can’t say I entirely got it — the plot, the music, all of it — I still found it to be an enjoyable film. Unlike the other movies, which attempt some level of realism, “Mamma Mia!” fully embraces its own over-the-top, whimsical absurdity. The plot — Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) inviting three men to her wedding in hopes of discovering which one is her father — is undeniably bizarre, yet the film’s upbeat energy makes it easy to get invested and not get bored. The ABBA soundtrack is irresistibly catchy and the choreographed dance numbers are fun to watch. The stunning Greek island setting is enhanced by the vibrant cinematography, which adds to the film’s charm. Also, of course, Meryl Streep delivers a fantastic performance as Donna.
“10 Things I Hate About You”
Next up is “10 Things I Hate About You,” a film that perfectly balances humor, romance and sharp writing. The film follows a “bad boy” teen as he’s bribed to date an outcast in a plan to help her younger sister start dating. Heath Ledger delivers a standout performance as Patrick, bringing charm and even a level of depth to a role that could have easily felt like the cliche bad boy. Despite their relationship beginning under false pretenses, Patrick actually proves to be a genuinely sweet and thoughtful partner to Kat (Julia Stiles), making their dynamic compelling and fun to watch. The film also plays with classic teen comedy tropes, my favorite is its satirical take on high school cliques. The humor is sharp, with every character delivering witty and memorable lines, especially Kat and Patrick, whose romantic banter is a highlight of the film. The plot is just as compelling as Cameron’s (Joseph Gordon Levitt) plan to date Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), which was just over the top enough to be funny.
“Moonstruck”
My favorite of the three is “Moonstruck,” and honestly, I’ll take any excuse to talk about it. Nicolas Cage and Cher deliver phenomenal performances, with Cage bringing a raw intensity that is absolutely perfect here. The story is also both romantic and chaotic, following Loretta (Cher) as she tries to convince Ronny (Nicolas Cage) to attend his brother’s wedding, only to fall in love with him instead. The film captures Italian-American family dynamics, which are fun to watch. It blends humor, romance and a little bit of mysticism (hence the name) that only adds to its charm. The writing of the film is also sharp, filled with memorable lines like the iconic “I lost my hand! I lost my bride!” and plenty of other more lighthearted and humorous moments that keep the film engaging from beginning to end. If you’re going to only see one of these movies, Moonstruck is the one to watch.
