Romantic comedies, or as we all know them, “rom-coms,” have always been the guilty pleasures of entertainment and something we just can’t help but indulge in, like sneaking a spoonful of frosting straight from the jar. Rom-coms used to leave people swooning as if they had never seen the face of love, that feeling of giddiness and warmth inside. These days, you are lucky if you can make it through a rom-com without cringing as you exit the theater.
I recently went to see the movie “Anyone But You” (2023), and I went in thinking it was all the hype. A TikTok began trending about the film saying it was “the best rom-com made since “How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days” (2003), which in my opinion is a lot to live up to considering it has probably been that long since Hollywood studios have succeeded in making a true romantic comedy blockbuster.
I watched it and it’s safe to say this movie struggled in the “rom” and “com” departments. Even with some of my favorite actors and actresses featured, I was not impressed with their abilities to portray an authentic and compelling love story – hate to break it to you but not even a Sydney Sweeny and Glen Powell collaboration can save a terrible story.
It wasn’t anything special. A simple guy-meets-girl situation turns terrible and with time they go from hating to loving each other. Of course, to make it logistic, you must factor in the “small world” coincidences of running into each other through mutual connections. Romantic? I think not.
While the movie was a success in profits, making almost $208 million worldwide, how do you explain all the cash the film raked in, considering most of the reviews mention the movie’s lack of chemistry, memorable comedy and poor acting? Due to the peer pressure of social media, I believe people are more inclined to pay money to see a movie on the big screen because sadly, it’s not like they are waiting for anything better to come along. People are settling for what the industry is giving them, which these days is mediocre.
I’m afraid Hollywood will likely take away all the wrong lessons from the financial success of this movie because this was as far away from a successful romantic comedy as you can get.
Movies like this can leave us asking many questions. Has Hollywood finally run out of meet-cute ideas to make 90-minute movies out of? Have they officially handed off the entire genre to streaming services for TV series because rom-com movies “just aren’t working anymore?”
So many questions arise but it all circles back to the common denominator: rom-coms are missing a key ingredient that is ruining their chances of becoming blockbusters.
Diving headfirst into why Hollywood has struggled in the romantic comedy genre for the last decade, I want to understand the truth behind this tragic downward spiral in the rom-com-making universe.
At the heart of every successful romantic comedy lies a compelling premise that resonates with audiences. Whether it’s a case of mistaken identity, a whirlwind romance or a classic love triangle, the premise is the foundation upon which the story unfolds.
Recently, there seems to be a general struggle to get this part right, which may be due to generational appeal. There appears to be a shift in the target audiences of rom-coms that needs to be reevaluated. Are the jokes being received the right way? Is chivalry still as “romantic” as it was 10 years ago?
Another make-or-break for romantic comedies includes the desire for undeniable chemistry between its leading couple.
Take, for instance, “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989), where Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal effortlessly captured the audience’s hearts with their banter and rapport. Undoubtedly, the effort put into casting compatible couples is a foundational key to the plot and appeal to the audience.
Conversely, lousy couple casting can destroy the potential in an instant. “Anyone But You” faced the same problem. You can only do so much lovey-dovey pressuring before people aren’t convinced the love is genuine.
The reality of things can kill the fantasy. When two people aren’t meshing as actors, it is a high risk to launch them as lovers in a movie. It is even more challenging for an audience to gain a long-lasting reminiscing love for it as we have done in the past with so many other successful rom-coms. The failure to establish a genuine connection between characters can render even the most promising premise stolid.
So, what is it about a good rom-com that keeps us coming back for more?
Romantic comedies have a magical way of capturing the essence of love and laughter in all its forms. From whirlwind romances to bittersweet breakups, these stories reflect the rollercoaster of emotions accompanying matters of the heart with a twist. I remember the first time I watched “Ten Things I Hate About You” (1999), a true gem in the romantic comedy department, and I can tell you that balancing out the “rom” and “com” factors is essential. If a romantic comedy isn’t making you cry in one scene and laugh in the next, it’s not doing its job.
The problem may lie in the roots of authenticity in storytelling and unique screenplay sequencing. Even a movie like “Ticket to Paradise” (2022), which features Julia Roberts and George Clooney, couldn’t be saved by the actors as it suffered from a weak screenplay that failed to engage audiences. The dialogue felt forced, the plot was predictable and the character development was shallow, ultimately leaving viewers uninspired and disconnected from the story.
While the classics remain timeless treasures, the same cannot always be said for modern rom-coms. In recent years, many have fallen into the habit of relying on tired clichés and formulaic plots, sacrificing originality for convenience. While “Anyone But You” (2023) is not a remake of another movie, haven’t we seen this before? The answer is yes and we all know how it ends – so predictable!
Gone are the days of groundbreaking storytelling and nuanced character development, replaced by predictable tropes and recycled narratives. There is a lack of surprise and shock within the plots, and the feeling is getting old.
What can be done to revive good Hollywood-made rom-coms?
I think it starts with a return to the roots of storytelling, where originality reigns supreme and clichés are left behind (or at least for a little while).
Of course, we should recognize that greenlighting a romantic comedy on the budgets they are given is not as easy as it seems. The difficulties that come with making a compelling original story that can develop the characters and resonate on a romantic and comedic level with its target audiences told within a 90-minute mark is difficult to achieve, but not impossible.
This could be a reason the genre has become so successful with TV series on streaming services such as “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (2022) or “Bridgerton” (2020). More time gives way to stronger character development and, in turn, makes things easier. But that doesn’t mean Hollywood should give up on rom-com movies altogether, either.
Filmmakers must dare to push the boundaries of convention, exploring new narratives and perspectives that reflect our diverse world. Only then can we reignite our collective love affair with cinematic romance and rediscover the heart of what makes rom-coms genuinely timeless.