Romantic comedies in the 2020s don’t feel like the ones from the 1980s. I made it my mission to stop procrastinating and watch some highly recommended films. These two are my current favorites, though I do not claim they’re the best. I have a lot of inventory to sort through before coming to that decision!
“The Princess Bride”
I watched as a young girl and absolutely loved the main character, Princess Buttercup, played by Robin Wright. So much so that I had begged my father to let us name our new puppy Buttercup. My request was sadly declined, though the movie still stuck with me.
I will forever remember being sick in bed watching the opening scene of a sick boy being read to by his grandfather. He declines at first, though after listening to the story being read to him and discovering it is more than your typical fairytale, he becomes invested.
The tale follows Princess Buttercup as she develops a romantic connection with the farm boy, Wesley. When they are separated the story follows a witty adventure leading up to their reunion.
“When Harry Met Sally”
This was recommended several times by worth of mouth, but also through several late night searches at 2 a.m. desperate for some form of media to help me sleep. I put it off for roughly 10 years before finally sitting down to watch.
I was first unsure how well I could focus considering Billy Crystal voiced Mike Wazowski in Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” (2001). Though he ended up being the sole reason I enjoyed the film. Harry’s (Bill Crystal) banter with Sally (Meg Ryan) made me actually laugh. Not a huff of air out of my nose – an actual laugh.
I wasn’t sure how they were going to pull off the romance aspect of the film, but the characters meet and are reunited several times after their first, not so impressive, introduction. They begin to become friends.
The film follows them throughout their healing process from previously failed relationships. In Harry’s case, a divorce. They are encouraged to date, but both characters insist on no romantic agenda ever being on the table.
Though their undeniable chemistry is amplified when Harry and Sally try to set each other up on a double date with their close friends. The scene plays out revealing Harry and Sally have way more chemistry together than they do with their dates.
What’s your favorite 80s rom-com?
