Top 10 Rom Coms That Defined Cinema
#10: “Pretty Woman” (1990)
Julia Roberts and Richard Gere were a match made in romantic comedy heaven in 1990’s “Pretty Woman.” Originally written as a dark drama, the film was given a comedic makeover. The story centers on the characters of Vivian Ward, a Los Angeles prostitute, and Edward Lewis, a prominent businessman. Things progress when he hires her to pretend to be his girlfriend for a week as he tries to close an important deal. “Pretty Woman” is one of the highest grossing rom-coms in history, earning Roberts an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and propelling her from rising star to leading lady.
#9: “Harold and Maude” (1971)
Dark, quirky and ever so morbid, 1971’s “Harold and Maude” is one of the most unique romantic comedies ever made. Directed by Hal Ashby, the film focuses on Harold, a young man whose fixation with death creates tension between himself and his mother. Eventually, he meets Maude, a 79 year old woman whose personality and perspective captivate Harold, and soon the two begin a May-December romance. What makes “Harold and Maude” such a special rom-com is its darkness. It broke the rules of the formula thanks to its subject matter and oddball coupling, proving that love isn’t always rainbows and sunshine.
#8: “Amélie” (2001)
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A feast for the eyes and the heart, “Amélie” is a whimsical story that blew away moviegoers in the early 2000s. Audrey Tautou plays a Parisian waitress who thrives on helping others while avoiding her own loneliness. Eventually, an interaction with a man named Nino forces her to confront the joys of falling in love. A critical success, the film went on to become the highest grossing film in France in 2001 and earned a slew of Academy Award nominations including Best Original Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film. The rom-com can be often overlooked due to its light nature, but “Amélie” pushes past that assumption, thanks to its artful and cerebral storytelling.
#7: “Love & Basketball” (2000)
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Who knew basketball could be oh so romantic?! Set in California, “Love & Basketball” follows the friendship and courtship of Monica and Quincy, two childhood friends whose relationship turns romantic as they both attempt to pursue careers in basketball over a number of years. Starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, this film was released in the early 2000s and remains one of the best depictions of love on film during that decade. Writer and director Gina Prince-Bythewood stated that she set out to make “a black ‘When Harry Met Sally.’” At the center of the film are characters who are often underrepresented on the big screen, and “Love & Basketball” provides a long overdue space for them in this cinematic slam dunk.
#6: “His Girl Friday” (1940)
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Based on the 1920s stage play “The Front Page,” “His Girl Friday” is a smart, quip-filled rom-com. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell play ex-spouses, editor Walter Burns and star reporter, Hildegard "Hildy" Johnson, who both work for the same newspaper. In order to foil Hildy’s engagement, Burns sets up one last story for them to cover. In addition to its fun premise, “Friday” was a game changer when it came to dialogue. Not only are the lines razor sharp and witty, but the characters’ dialogue overlaps one another, creating a natural, realistic feeling. Over 80 years after its release, “Friday” is still hot off the presses!
#5: “City Lights” (1931)
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One of the earliest romantic comedies, “City Lights” is regarded as one of Charlie Chaplin’s greatest films. Chaplin’s beloved Little Tramp character falls head over heels for a blind flower girl who believes that he is rich. From there The Little Tramp encounters many mishaps as he tries to scrap together the funds to help his new crush with medical treatment. The film was created after the birth of sound in the motion picture industry, but Chaplin was firm on making it as a silent film. “City Lights' ' remains a time capsule of a bygone era where silence spoke volumes.
#4: “Roman Holiday” (1953)
When “Roman Holiday” was released in 1953, Audrey Hepburn only had a handful of credits to her name. Playing opposite screen veteran Gregory Peck, this was Hepburn’s first starring role, which would eventually earn her an Academy Award. In the Italian set flick, she plays a Princess who earns the chance to briefly leave behind her royal duties and venture around Rome with a reporter, played by Peck. They soon fall in love, but things end on a bittersweet note. What makes “Holiday” so special is that it introduced audiences to a screen icon and launched the career of one of the industry's most recognizable and celebrated figures. Blessed with beautiful cinematography and beautiful costumes, “Roman Holiday” is one adventure we never want to end.
#3: “The Philadelphia Story” (1940)
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Forget love triangles, this one’s a love square! In “The Philadelphia Story,” Katharine Hepburn plays Tracy Lord, a woman caught between the affections of her ex-husband, her very rich and new fiance and a journalist. The three men are played by James Stewar Cary Grant, John Howard, and James Stewart, and the flick won Stewart an Oscar. A critically and publicly acclaimed classic, audiences lined up in bad weather to see the film at Radio City Music Hall, creating queues longer than the venue had ever seen at the time. Released in December of 1940, “The Philadelphia Story” brought some humor and lightness to American audiences during a dark time in the world.
#2: “It Happened One Night” (1934)
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Starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, “It Happened One Night” is pure rom-com joy! Shot in black and white, the 1934 flick is about an heiress and a reporter who fall for each other after being thrown together while on a road trip. Not only did “Night” become an Academy Award winner for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Picture, it also came out during a historically significant time in Hollywood. The film was one of the last pictures released in the pre-code era, which saw the stringent censorship of American made films. The flick marks a turning point in the industry, which saw creativity and freedom of artistic expression, stifled. Thankfully, this romantic screwball comedy happened just in the nick of time! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “There's Something About Mary” (1998) There’s Something We Simply Can’t Resist About This ‘90s Rom-Com Gem “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994) This Super Romance Tugs on Your Heartstrings “But I’m a Cheerleader” (1999) 5, 6, 7, 8; Who Do We Appreciate?! This Satirical Rom-Com! “Broadcast News” (1987) Breaking News: This Romantic Comedy Is a Must Watch! “Brown Sugar” (2002) Nothing Is Sweeter Than This Early 2000s Pic
#1: “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)
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“When Harry Met Sally…” has all the ingredients of the perfect romantic comedy. Two lovable comedic actors, a will-they-or-won’t-they plot, and equal parts laughter and heart. Set against the backdrop of New York City, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal play enemies turned best friends who test the limits and dynamics of female and male friendships. The film defined the rom-com and made its screenwriter, the Queen of Rom-Coms, Nora Ephron, a household name. Over 30 years later, it’s still setting the standard for every rom-com that has come after it. Which rom-com defined cinema for you? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
