The Truth About Cats and Dogs

Oh my god, I LOVE this movie.

Ben Chaplin totally hasn't gotten enough work.

Does Secretary count as a romcom? It's funny, and it's romatic, but I'm not sure I'd put it in there. If it is, I think it may be the only romcom I own.

Also, I frequently dislike movies, or think they're generally crap, but the only movie I ever worked up a properly visceral hatred for was Cold Mountain. God that was an awful streak of shite. Grr.

Does Secretary count as a romcom?

I'ma say yes. (And I would say yes even if I weren't a freak who gets my freak on). Not all romance is hearts, flowers, and the Empire State Building.

Ooooh, Truth About Cats and Dogs. I haven't thought about that movie in years.

Ben Chaplin was very charming in that but disappeared off the radar pretty quick, didn't he? He played the Montgomery Cliff role in the remake (well I should say the latest adaptation) of Washington Square, then he was in that godawful dreck with Nicole Kidman about a Russian male order bride and... I can't remember anything else.

I was trying to compile in my head my personal top 5 rom-coms in the last 30 years, but am finding myself stumbling because I don't know if some of the movies I'm thinking of qualify as rom-coms. For example, Groundhog Day -- that's mostly about Phil's journey and the Andie McDowell character is a prize for good behavior rather than a fully fleshed-out character of her own, isn't she? I'd say, yes, to Roxanne (on the very top of my list), Four Weddings and a Funeral perhaps, Say Anything, definitely, and what else? Oh, the last great rom-com I saw was probably Duplicity. I have no idea why that failed in Box Office -- I thought that was just terrific (it might be my Clive-shaped blindspot talking though.)

I'll also watch about 50% of what Sandra Bullock does in the genre.

Add Reese Witherspoon to this for me. I even like her in crap like "Sweet Home Alabama".

I don't think I ever really loved the typical romantic comedy, but when I was younger I really sought out emotionally wrenching honest films about adults (one of my favorite movies, to this day, is "Shoot the Moon"). Not so much anymore. Now I want a good mystery, and some chills and thrills. Which is difficult because I also do not abide well with plot holes or things that don't make sense.

So the list of movies I'm seeing these days is short, and the list of movies I really love, shorter still.

Oh, the last great rom-com I saw was probably Duplicity. I have no idea why that failed in Box Office -- I thought that was just terrific (it might be my Clive-shaped blindspot talking though.)

JZ and I liked that too. Though a bit more of a caper movie/rom com hybrid.

I liked the atypical-for-Meg Ryan Addicted to Love. Bitterness helps.

Is Sliding Doors a rom-com?

I liked Sandra in the Lake House with Keeanu. That movie was better than I expected and I didn't plan on watching it. It just rolled up on cable.

Most of the rom-com's I love are decidedly non-traditional: Grosse Point Blanke (as has been mentioned), Shaun of the Dead, Groundhog Day, Bull Durham.

Steve Martin had a nice mini-run of those before he decided to do family films: as Vonnie mentioned, Roxanne, but also All of Me and LA Story.

(one of my favorite movies, to this day, is "Shoot the Moon").

That is a great movie. Sort of paired in my mind with Ordinary People for painful, raw drama that's still very engaging to watch. That scene where Diane Keaton breaks down in the tub singing the Beatles in French? Albert Finney's totally mad assault to break back into the house? The ending? Everything with poor Dana Hill (the daughter)? (She died young of diabetes.)

Yup, all of it, Hec.