Frequently derided by many critics and “serious” movie fans, the “romantic comedy” subgenre has, is, and will forever be a cash cow for the studios. They’re relatively inexpensive to produce and are easy to recycle. The plot lines vary little, and all too often one production is indistinguishable from the next.
It wouldn’t be going out on a limb to state that the majority of people who love rom-coms are adult females and that most men view them unwillingly or by default. Rarely will you find men gathering in packs asking the question “So what do you think, dudes, will it be ‘You’ve Got Mail’ or ‘Love Actually’ tonight?”
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the chances of married men (or those currently in romantic relationships with a lady) watching a rom-com is high, but it doesn’t have to be painful. There are a few of these flicks that are not only tolerable for guy consumption, but some are also downright enjoyable.
Presented in chronological order by release date, here are a couple handfuls of old and older titles that will likely please and tickle both you and yours.
‘City Lights’ (1931)
For a good long stretch, Charlie Chaplin was not only the world’s most popular performer, but he was also the movie industry’s most lucrative filmmaker. Written, directed, produced, scored by, edited, and starring Chaplin (as his iconic “Tramp” character), “City Lights” is considered by most to be his creative high-water mark. Taking over an unheard-of-at-the-time 21 months to shoot, it is Chaplin’s most moving and heartfelt work and perfectly encapsulates the notion that love is indeed blind.‘It Happened One Night’ (1934)
"It Happened One Night" is one of three movies to have won the Big Oscars. Public Domain
The first of only three movies (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Silence of the Lambs” being the others) to win all “Big 5” Oscars (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor, Actress), Frank Capra’s brilliant and seminal screwball comedy is nearly perfect. Clark Gable plays Peter, an unemployed reporter who crosses paths with the headstrong heiress Ellie (Claudette Colbert), and the blueprint for every other “across the tracks” love story that followed was established.
‘The Philadelphia Story’ (1940)
Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) learns to empathize, in "Philadelphia Story." MGM
After a string of flops, Katharine Hepburn bought the film rights to the play of the same name by Philip Barry and it proved to be her professional salvation. Tracy Lord (Hepburn) has a problem that many women would envy. Divorced from the suave Dexter (Cary Grant), she soon becomes the strong obsession of writer “Mike” (James Stewart) while engaged to rebound beau George (John Howard). With a complicated plot by 1940s standards, it has aged incredibly well.
‘Roman Holiday’ (1953)
Winning her only Oscar for her performance, Audrey Hepburn lights up the screen as Ann (and Anya), the princess of an unnamed European country who, tired of her royal duties during a visit to Rome, decides to explore the city on her own. She soon crosses paths with Joe (Gregory Peck), an opportunistic American journalist who initially tries to get a “scoop” on her, which backfires. After her handlers attempt to rein her in, Joe saves her and himself by coming to her rescue.‘Groundhog Day’ (1993)
Phil Connor (Bill Murray) goes from being self-centered to admirable on Feb. 2. Columbia Pictures
So well-received and influential that its title became buzz words to describe other films, “Groundhog Day” doesn’t start out as a romance. Bill Murray stars as Phil, a TV weatherman who dreads covering the annual Pennsylvania festival, a situation that only worsens when he finds himself in a time loop repeating Feb. 2. Eventually using it to his advantage, Phil ends up becoming a better man while winning the heart of his amiable but leery producer (Andie MacDowell).
‘Kate & Leopold’ (2001)
The film is as much a thriller as a romantic comedy. Miramax Films
This sleeper gem from director James Mangold stars Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman as the oil and water title characters. She’s in advertising, and he’s a century-old nobleman brought to the present day by his scientist great-great-grandson Stuart (Liev Schreiber) who is also Kate’s ex-boyfriend. Mangold and co-writer Steven Rogers often get close to farce yet toss in copious amounts of wrinkles and twists, making it as much of a thriller as it is a surprisingly fresh and original comedy.
‘Hitch’ (2005)
Will Smith stars as Hitch, a date doctor. Columbia Pictures
Will Smith stars as the title character, a New York-based “date doctor” who is hired by romantically challenged men wanting to snare the women of their dreams. Hitch’s newest client is Albert (Kevin James), an accountant whose firm represents heiress and socialite Allegra (Amber Valetta), a woman far more down-to-earth than expected. When not working with Albert, Hitch starts falling for Sara (Eva Mendes), a tenacious and hard-bitten tabloid reporter looking for anything but love.
‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005)
This rollicking production starts out as a raunchy “guy-bonding” affair where two divorce lawyers (Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson) crash the weddings of wealthy Washingtonians, not for free food and drink but to seduce tipsy female guests. Their latest event is being hosted by presidential cabinet member William Cleary (Christopher Walken), whose two still unmarried daughters (Isla Fisher and Rachel McAdams) become the men’s next marks. The tables get turned while gender roles are reversed and nothing goes nearly as planned.‘Definitely, Maybe’ (2008)
Ryan Reynolds before he became famous as Deadpool. Universal Pictures
After a string of misfires and supporting roles in mostly forgettable movies, future “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds finally hit pay dirt with this low-budget, unconventional, offbeat romance that doubles as an excellent father-daughter outing. In an effort to lessen the blow of his impending divorce, ad agent Will (Reynolds) recounts his romantic history with his preteen girl Maya (Abigail Breslin). It’s also a mystery fronting as a comedy: Maya’s mother could be one of three characters portrayed by Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, and Rachel Weisz.
