Romantic comedy clichés that (admit it) work

monica Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:35 PM EST

I seem to love rom-coms where the main characters hate each other and then fall for each other, kind of like Chuck and Blair on "Gossip Girl." I'm obviously insane. To put it simply, if they get together too easily, I get bored. Other examples are: Wedding Planner, 10 Things I Hate About You (it's in the title), and How to lose a Guy in 10 days.

Grace Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:37 PM EST

The lame yet warm 'n fuzzy scene where everyone in a certain location bursts into song; the "I Say a Little Prayer" bit from My Best Friend's Wedding comes to mind. (Bonus points if it's a showtune.)

Sandy Tue, May 13, 2008 at 05:43 PM EST

Some of my favorite RomComs feature characters that start out the movie as being largely ostracized by others because they're either 'nerdy', 'geeky' or just plain socially awkward. Then the nerd character decides that they have to change themselves in order to be popular/get the girl/guy, so there's some kind of personality/clothing makeover to accomplish this, the nerd character "gets" the popularity/love match that they wanted, and figures out that they liked being who they were before all along. Oh, and when this epiphany happens, they ALWAYS get either their desired love interested or an even cooler one at the end. This has played out in so many variations: "Can't Buy Me Love", "Never Been Kissed", "Mean Girls", "She's All That", "Just One of the Guys" are just a few that come to mind. And I can't get enough of 'em. I'm not sure if it's a "learn to love yourself" message or just the 'finding out the pretty/popular people aren't perfect' message, but I just can't pass these up

CarrieKat Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:54 PM EST

I am a sucker for the serenade cliche. A guy or girl singing or playing music as profession of love literally makes me cry tears of "why can't this happen to me?" I'd say that Lloyd Dobbler's "In Your Eyes" moment from "Say Anything" is the penultimate of this, but the last time I saw this cliche used really well was Jude singing "All you Need is Love" from the rooftop to Lucy in "Across the Universe." Another great example is "I wanna grow old with you" from the "Wedding Singer." Even in this film with a lot of rom-com cliches, this is the best and the one that brings me to tears every single time I watch it.

MN_Jen Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:48 AM EST

I'm always a sucker for a great montage, and RomComs always have the best ones: the Makeover Montage, the Shopping Montage, and (perhaps my favorite) the "Lets Have Fun in the City!" Montage. Bonus points if it involves the characters wearing funny hats!

Dtom Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:38 AM EST

Wow. Just...wow. I never knew how much I hated romantic comedies until reading the posts below. I'm not putting others down for what they enjoy, but each and every one of the cliches mentioned below pretty much constitutes a list of exactly what I HATE about romantic comedies. I especially love (read: hate) when one character has to chase after their love interest at the end, because there's a chance the love interest will be gone forever if the character doesn't catch him/her. It's so overdone, it's sickening. I have to admit that I loved how they skewered that cliche in Not Another Teen Movie.

Sadie Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:37 AM EST

My fave -- the guy realizing he loves his best female friend. Mainly because I want one of my guy friends to realize that he's in love with me. And I also heart the nerd love and the jerky guy doing something sweet. There are so many cliches to love!!

Mozz Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:32 AM EST

Quitting your job from hell for the love of your life, running out of the big impressive building, and getting into a cab and saying; "driver follow that car," but you get stuck in traffic, OH NO! you get out and you run, you run towards love and the future, you scream her name! she gets out of the cab, and runs to you and your lips meet as people break into spontaneous applause (there's always applause) and then the camera pulls away, and away, and away as it reveals the young lovers kissing in the middle of Times Square Traffic. (which would never happen) but here it does . OH MY GOD! I LOVE THAT MOVIE!

Rob Grizzly Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:29 AM EST

I'm right with you, Mandi. Whenever we see the guy who's been a jerk the whole time actually do something sweet- works every time.

I also like when one character has been keeping something personal or embarassing from the other for the entire movie, and in the final reel, they finally share that something with them. (See Kumar's poem, "The Loneliness of 3" in Escape from Guantanamo Bay)

LisaMama Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:23 AM EST

What about the cliche when the older grandpa/mom/aunt figures out the person is in love with his granddaughter/son/niece and has a private conversation that goes like this: "You have feelings for her! "No, I don't, don't be silly!" "Yes, you do, you should tell her!" and then the guys gets the guts to be honest. "A Walk in the Clouds" is a good example when Keanu Reeves gets love advice from the grandpa.

KG Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:20 AM EST

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when two people who can't stand each other are forced to spend a whole day together and suddenly become awkward around the other when they realize they are in love...awwwww!

orville Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:11 AM EST

JMC--I agree with you. "Love Actually" is perhaps the most perfect romantic comedy ever. The storylines, the cast, the music...sigh. Old love, young love, tragic love, goofy love, reunited love, unrequited love. And most of the cast were on EW's list of actors they'd watch in anything (though I'd add Hugh Grant & Liam Neeson to that list as well). Can you get any more perfect than that?

mscisluv Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:45 AM EST

So I know that this is supposed to be about cliches we love, but here's one I can't stand: When there's a love triangle, and they wait until during the wedding to pick the person they're going to be with (which is never the one they're about to marry). I just find it heartbreaking because you're basically rejected in front of all of your friends and family...at your own wedding. Yikes! See: Made of Honor

Cara Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:43 AM EST

Okay, here's the one that kills me--the one where the girl and guy are SO MAD at each other, screaming-at-the-top-of-their-lungs arguing with each other, and then suddenly, inevitably--they kiss. Bam. Just like that.

Also can be interchanged with the one where they have a huge, screaming, relationship-ending argument, and they start to walk away--but then one of them comes sprinting back, and they collide with a colossal, romantic bang and are start making out like crazy.

Whoo, I'm getting all teary just thinking about it.

Melissa Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:15 AM EST

I'm all about the nerd love. Get at least one awkward character trying to get the guy/girl, and I'm in tears over it. Princess Diaries, Never Been Kissed, Bridget Jones Diary, Sixteen Candles, 10 Things I Hate About You, etc.

JMC Tue, May 13, 2008 at 09:04 AM EST

Love Actually - see all: the big romantic gesture (several actually), the unrequited love, the crush love, the crazy dancing and humiliating getting caught and pretending you didn't just do that, the 'serious' talks about the nature of love...

Em Tue, May 13, 2008 at 08:49 AM EST

I'm into the "forbidden love" thing, but I like it to end in tragedy. You know, the whole Romeo and Juliet thing.

Justme Tue, May 13, 2008 at 08:42 AM EST

I like when the gal has a witty gay man BFF dishing advice. Even better when the witty gay BFF has a boyfriend and they look so cute and in love and both cheer her up and give the girl advice or let her cry on their shoulder.

Kathleen Tue, May 13, 2008 at 07:56 AM EST

I'm totally with orville - especially with two people in a reuniting or first-time embrace in front of a crowd, a la Forest Gump at the Reflecting Pool.

orville Tue, May 13, 2008 at 07:07 AM EST

The Big Romantic Gesture. Like running through the airport to catch her before her plane takes off, the proposal (or declaration of love) in a very public place, risk of public humiliation for her (singing off key, dancing badly, etc.), the Very Special Day just planned for her (picnic in the park, closing the restaurant for just the two of them, etc.), and all that. Swoon.....

MisterDudemeister Tue, May 13, 2008 at 01:39 AM EST

WOW Some Major omissions on the list of Rom-Coms that sucked (Rhinestone, the Born Yesterday remake, for the Love of the Game) to name a few.

Joey Jo Jo Tue, May 13, 2008 at 01:31 AM EST

I like the cliche of when Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler fall in love. Those two have great chemistry and I'd love to see another rom-com with that team. I also like the cliche of when the person who is suffering from unrequited love finally gives up on the object of their affection. Don't care if they end up together or not because it works both ways. Its a really mature thing to do and its cool when a fictional character makes that choice because let's face it- dreams don't always come true.

Phil Mon, May 12, 2008 at 11:20 PM EST

Oh and I totaly enjoyed WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS as well, but if you've seen this movie, you have to admit the supporting cast provided alot of comedy! Rob Corddry totaly redeemed himself after that horrible role in HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FRM GUANTANAMO BAY. For the first time in a while, the ensemble, and not just the stars made this film funny. Discuss!?

Phil Mon, May 12, 2008 at 11:17 PM EST

Any of my straight girl friends will totally tell you I can stand in for just about sassy, spunky, & handsome gay BFF in any movie...but not like the totally color co-ordinated, designer that just won the last season of Project Runway type. "FIERCE!" is only used by me when I've just pulled off the ultimate coup of the day. I just wish the gay BBF's shown in movies were a bit more "normal" like me and not so obvious like a hair dresser or some Broadway b!tc# like Jennifer Aniston's brother in THE BREAK UP (which as any self-respecting movie fan was niether romantic or a real comedy). I guess I'll hold out hope that they'll create one "normal" gay role someday. Or I can just keep catching the latest slasher flick where the character is sure to be sliced n diced twenty minutes in!

Oola Mon, May 12, 2008 at 10:31 PM EST

When Hugh Grant stutters...which I think, by now, can be considered a romantic comedy cliche. Or when Hugh Dancy kisses me...which by now, can be considered, only in my dreams....

Lizzy Mon, May 12, 2008 at 08:02 PM EST

I love it when they use the "when harry met sally" idea that men and women can't "just be friends".

Heather Mon, May 12, 2008 at 07:43 PM EST

As much as I criticize romcoms when I'm watching them, I always cry when I see them declare their love to each other. I don't know why.

Laura Mon, May 12, 2008 at 07:36 PM EST

I like Rom-Coms with sweet, devoted guys who will do big romantic gestures that almost no guys in real life would do - such as John Cusack holding up the boombox in "Say Anything..." and Michael Vartan kissing Drew Barrymore on the pitcher's mound of the big school game in "Never Been Kissed". Sigh. If only real life were like that...

Ruby Mon, May 12, 2008 at 07:31 PM EST

I'm a sucker for forbidden love or realistic obstacles that keep the couple apart for much of the movie, and I agree with Snarf, extra kudos if they don't end up together (which usually falls out of the rom com's category and into dramas but whatever). Second favorite is the love triangle, especially if the 2 people the 1 person is choosing from is actually a hard choice.

Anne Mon, May 12, 2008 at 06:40 PM EST

I always root for the geeks and down-and-outers in love. Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, As Good as It Gets, Bridget Jones, Say Anything, When Harry met Sally, etc. The "normal" characters are always too serious and boring. Duckie was robbed!

Jess Mon, May 12, 2008 at 06:20 PM EST

I love when one of the characters is talking about their feelings, feelings that they have "never told anyone before." The other character immediately gets that look in their eye like they see the other character differently now. It's in almost every romantic comedy, but I'm a sucker for it.

annie Mon, May 12, 2008 at 06:14 PM EST

i'm a huge fan of the best guy friend, unexpectedly hot first kiss. See Reality Bites and Little Women for examples.

Jill Mon, May 12, 2008 at 06:08 PM EST

I love it when a couple gets together despite all their family or friends insisting they're wrong for each other for whatever reasons. Such as Pretty in Pink or Dirty Dancing.

Dominique L. Mon, May 12, 2008 at 05:50 PM EST

I have to say that as long as the chemistry is good, anything goes (usually anyway).

Crystal Mon, May 12, 2008 at 05:27 PM EST

You'll always get me with a well-executed:
1) thrown together through some wacky circumstance opposites-attract plotline (if the chemistry is good)
2) interrupting someone who is rambling with a searingly hot first kiss

kku - who doesn't love a montage?? :)

kku Mon, May 12, 2008 at 05:18 PM EST

I'm a sucker for those montages of the couple walking in the park, feeding each other ice cream, etc. that happen while a jaunty-sounding current hit plays.

Tess Mon, May 12, 2008 at 05:06 PM EST

I agree with "You can call me Al." I think that's why I liked 27 dresses so much, and possibly The Princess Diaries.

I also like when the cool guy falls for the nerd girl or vice versa a la She's All That to name one.

Lynny Mon, May 12, 2008 at 04:58 PM EST

The coy hesitation before a first kiss OR they attack each other cause they've been holding back through the whole movie. Love that stuff.

Snarf Mon, May 12, 2008 at 04:55 PM EST

I like the ones that don't have a happy ending, and the star-crossed pair co their seperate ways. It's still a rarity but has happened enough that I guess it's a cliche.

You can call me Al Mon, May 12, 2008 at 04:46 PM EST

When a woman is hopelessly in love with one guy, but the "right" guy (that she ends up with in the end) that is right in front of her nose is WAY hotter than the guy she thinks she's supposed to be with.

Kate Mon, May 12, 2008 at 04:40 PM EST

I almost automatically love any movie showing a shy-ish guy falling in love with a girl who's ignorant of his feelings till the end. I am thinking of Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones, Michael Vartan in Never Been Kissed, and to reach farther back.. The Apartment with Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon! Love me some sweet, shy guys!

ALSO I am a sucker for ALL those comedies of remarriage in the 30s and 40s.. The Awful Truth, His Girl Friday, etc! Pretty much the same reworked plot, but fabulous all the same!

EP Sato Mon, May 12, 2008 at 04:29 PM EST

I'll see any movie that has a scene where two people kiss under the falling rain.

Michal Paré (back when he was a star) kissed Diane Lane during a downpour in "Streets of Fire". It's a device used often almost enough to be cliché, but it's HOT. Spider Man and I believe the Notebook did it. Actually, this is one old school movie cliche I'd like to see more of. A scene where two good looking people kiss in the rain (with the steam rising off of them for dramatic effect) is something EVERY romantic comedy should feature.

Oh, and EVERY romantic comedy seems to do this, but I do think the "they hate each other but somehow find a reason to fall in love" plot is still amusing enough to watch. I mean, it IS the plot of every Adam Sandler movie ever (she doesn't like him at first. Then she starts to because he's quirky. Then someone or something gets between them, he pulls some magic and wins her heart at the end)...

meghan Mon, May 12, 2008 at 04:29 PM EST

I love the asinine fighting when everyone but the two characters can tell that they actually love each other. It's nothing like real life, but I'm a sucker for it nonetheless!

Allyson Mon, May 12, 2008 at 04:27 PM EST

I have to say...Girl catches guy less than dressed, sees him a new light, and sparks fly...ie, the bedroom gift exchange scene in "The Cutting Edge"...Ohhh Weee, I love it!!!