I have a love-hate relationship with romantic comedies. Some films in this genre take the fairy tale fascination the world has to a totally unrealistic place. Yet it’s also great to find a good Rom-Com with characters that make you feel and laugh!
My (newest) personal favorite is Friends With Benefits. This was the first time I saw Mila Kunis outside of her 70s show persona and she was spectacular! She impersonated the perfect Rom-Com heroine: gutsy, hilarious, and vulnerable all in the span of 90 plus minutes. Her character paired with Justin Timberlake’s, who had relatable human faults, was perfect.
One of the many reasons I am a fan of this and other romantic comedies is that in the midst of the typical love storyline there are many real human elements. For instance in Friends with Benefits the movie includes a father-son relationship whose issues stem from Alzheimer. The fact that Justin’s character has trouble connecting the person his father was with the person without memories he is now is heartbreaking and inspiring all in one. The connection is eventually made but not without its own trying journey.
Romantic comedies also provide an incredible amount of laughs and insight. For instance, anything Jennifer Aniston is usually a rom-com and is usually funny and endearing. He’s Just Not That Into You was a great film because it played on women’s expectations of dating and how out of touch those expectations can be. It also bridged the gap between what is a fairytale nurtured expectation and what you really want out of a relationship, i.e. Jen Aniston’s desire to get engaged in the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJS-wWqVAyk
images found on imdb
3 responses so far ↓
elizabeth griffin // Sep 17th 2012 at 12:07 pm
I also love romantic comedies and Friends with Benefits. However, I felt that the movie was more of a parody movie of all the romantic comedies done before. One good example is when Mila Kunis glares at a poster of Katherine Heigl from the movie The Ugly Truth and says, “Shut up Katherine Heigl!” However, I loved that movie not only because of the deeper issues such as Alzheimers but also because of the witty conversations that Mila had with Justin in the film. I loved the chemistry between the actors.
Vivian // Sep 17th 2012 at 1:20 pm
I agree the movie did play off of ‘surreal fairytale’ rom-coms, but that’s mainly why I love the genre because maybe now more so than before they are gearing away from it. Rom-Coms are incorporating more realistic scenarios, while still staying in touch with what made the genre succeed.
I also loved the witty banter between Mia & Justin’s character. It kept the movie alive.
Brooklyn Brit // Sep 18th 2012 at 7:21 pm
Why is it I suddenly feel less ‘alone’ in the world ;o)
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