Romantic Films/Comedies

Posted by Leslie Halpern

Three of my top four picks are re-releases of much earlier films, with only P.S. I Love You having recently played at the theaters. So if you missed them the first time around, here’s your second chance.

Romantic Dramas

The Bridges of Madison County: Deluxe Edition

• A story (from 1995) of an enduring and forbidden love, this drama stars Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood as two people who embark on a short-term love affair in rural Iowa. The performances sizzle despite the middle-aged leads.
• Director: Clint Eastwood
• Run Time: 137 minutes
• Rating: PG-13

P.S. I Love You

• This drama stars Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler in a tear-jerking romance about how everlasting love continues after one’s physical life ends. Supporting cast includes Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon.
• Director: Richard LaGravenese
• Run time: 126 minutes
• Rating: PG-13

Comedies

If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium

• This 1969 farce stars Sandy Baron, Senta Berger, and Suzanne Pleshette in a comedy (with some added romance) about a group of American tourists who take a whirlwind tour with a young British tour guide (Ian McShane).
• Director: Mel Stuart
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Rating: G

Serial Mom (Collector’s Edition)

• From 1994, this dark comedy stars Kathleen Turner as a suburban mom who resorts to serial killing to get her point across to people who create obstacles in her perfect little world. Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake, and Matthew Lillard co-star as her cookie-cutter family.
• Director: John Waters
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Rating: R

If you watch one from the first group followed by one from the second, you can still get your fill of "romantic comedy."

Posted by Leslie Halpern

Directed by Rob Reiner, written by William Goldman, and starring Cary Elwes (Westley), Robin Wright (Buttercup), and Mandy Patinkin (Inigo), this fairy tale portrays a beautiful maiden (Wright) and handsome servant (Elwes) who love each other, but are kept apart by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including societal class, physical distance, villains, and even death. The delicious writing, perfect direction, and inspired acting have made this cult classic endure for more than 20 years.

How curious that some of today’s comedies fail to be funny and some romances fail to have chemistry between the leads when The Princess Bride manages to do both so well? There’s also the sweet nature of The Princess Bride to consider. Few PG-rated love stories or comedy films get made anymore. Yet without blatant sexuality or course language, this film expresses the passionate nature of the couple’s relationship and humorous dialogue/situations.

Compare The Princess Bride to today’s romantic comedy films, many of which have been quite successful at the box office and on subsequent DVD sales (indicating a huge market for gross-out humor). Take away the raunch factor in movies such as Superbad, Good Luck Chuck, Mr. Woodcock, Blades of Glory, and The Heartbreak Kid, and then ask yourself “Would they still be funny?”

After many dozens of viewings, I still get goose bumps when Westley whispers, “As you wish.” I still feel sick when The Albino tortures Westley in The Pit of Despair. I still thrill to the beauty of Goldman’s dialogue. I still laugh at Inigo’s sword-fighting antics. And after all this time, I still feel disappointed that a sequel to this film never made it to the screen.