Last good romantic comedy?

[justinkim]

Just what was the last good romantic comedy to come out? I'm not much of a comedy viewer, so the last one I can recall is Notting Hill.

[joelozito]

Great topic! Of course, it's going to need to start with a definition of what qualifies as a romantic comedy.

For example, "40 Year Old Virgin" is a great comedy from 2005, and it follows the structure of a romantic comedy. But it feels like it belongs in the straight "comedy" category.

Likewise, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" from just this year is a comedy with a ton of romance, but is it a rom-com? Woody's films are typically tough to categorize.

And besides, it feels like we're looking for a classic romantic comedy - along the lines of "When Harry Met Sally".

So, let the games begin...

[kdahlstrom]

Honestly, has there been a really good straight-up romantic comedy since When Harry Met Sally?

[kdahlstrom]

As Joe pointed out I just answered a question with a question, I'm going to go ahead and say NO. (Happy now?)

Most traditional rom-coms -- for me, at least -- are just way too sickly sweet and rely too much on the myth of the "soul mate". For some reason, they also make the heroine fall down a lot so she seems quirky and hapless.

[justinkim]

I think the pratfalls are supposed to be the "comedy" part of "romantic comedy."

Annie Hall certainly seems to be a romantic comedy, albeit one that doesn't fall within the standard rom-com template. However, it is a comedy *about* a relationship.

And I think that Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral were both good and post When Harry Met Sally.

[joelozito]

Here's what some other places think:

Amazon:
Amazon.com: Top 25 Delightful Romantic Comedies

Top Grossing:
Romantic Comedy Movies

And I agree with virtually none of them. Except, one of them mentioned "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". Definitely one of my favorite movies, but also not in the rom-com template.

I've looked at a few other sites and I notice that very few of the films mentioned are *recent*. For example, "Princess Bride". A perfect movie. And yes, romantic. But is it a romantic comedy? Doesn't matter for this discussion since it's not recent.

[Kate]

Honestly, has there been a really good straight-up romantic comedy since When Harry Met Sally?

WHMS is the best.