In the 25 years since Romy and Michele's High School Reunion hit screens, dedicated audiences have been endlessly quoting the pitch-perfect film. With its collective 90s/80s soundtrack and memorable lines and one of the best musical numbers in 90s films, Romy and Michele deliver.
Part of what makes Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion a classic is the bubbly charisma from its two leading actors and the iconic script by Robin Schiff, based on characters from her play Ladies Room. Whether it’s Romy revealing her junk food diet to Michele or Michele confidently expressing she’s the Mary, these perfectly delivered lines remain beloved by fans of the film.
Romy Reveals Her Diet Secret
"I Have Been Trying This New Fat-Free Diet I Invented. All I've Had To Eat For The Past Six Days Are Gummy Bears, Jelly Beans, And Candy Corn."
From the very first moment, fans see Romy and Michele, fans are instantly drawn to these women. Laying on their bed, snacking on junk food, and making fun of Pretty Woman, it's hard not to relate to the pair.
When the two women shift gears and get ready for the night, Michele is quick to admire her best friend. When asked if she is on a diet, Romy gives her friend her junk food secret. The diet is not healthy, of course, but it does showcase the dynamic between the two excellently. Michele doesn’t judge because that’s not what best friends do. Instead, she becomes jealous and wishes she had her friend’s discipline
Michele Compliments Romy At Senior Prom
"You Look So Cute With Blonde Hair and Black Streaks, It's Not Even Funny."
One of the reasons fans keep returning to Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is the lighthearted friendship between the duo. Each one compliments the other multiple times throughout the movie and though it's mostly about how they look, their honest feelings towards one another is a highlight of the film.
During their senior prom, Michele gives one of the cute compliments as she admires Romy. Both women are dressed like Madonna but it’s Romy’s long and obvious extensions that prompt Michele. The way Lisa Kudrow delivers the line in a valley girl sort of way makes it truly memorable. Naturally, Kudrow's role is considered one of the best films starring the Friends cast and it is no surprise.
Romy's Perfect Excuse Not To Dance
"Would You Excuse Me? I Cut My Foot Before And My Shoe Is Filling Up With Blood."
The 10-year high school reunion is coming up and Romy and Michele are determined to impress their classmates with better jobs and boyfriends. So while Michele interviews for a job, Romy tries to get dates at a dance club.
When a suitor asks Romy to dance, she asks what he does for a living and his salesman's response leads Romy to give the ultimate excuse. Every girl has had the experience of guys hitting on them whether they want them to or not so watching Romy turn down a potential male suitor perfectly makes the scene stand out from the rest.
Romy And Michele Pretend To Be Successful
"Do You Have A Business Woman Special?"
As teenagers, there’s always a struggle to impress classmates. As adults, the need to impress other adults feels like deja-vu. This common struggle makes the plot of Romy and Michele relatable as two women try their best to impress their entire senior class.
Romy and Michele decide to attend their high school reunion but according to Romy, their lives aren’t as colorful as they should be. With no boyfriends and no jobs, they decide to fake it with business attire. During a pit stop at a cafe, they change outfits, and with new outfits comes a new attitude. Romy’s quest to discover if there is a businesswoman special gets fired down but that’s okay, the line still lingers.
Michele Thinks She's The Pretty One
"I'm The Mary, And You're The Rhoda"
According to Romy and Michele, there is one cuteness scale. But who’s Mary and who’s Rhoda gets confusing and is the cause of the falling out mid-way through the film.
When Romy’s post-its background story doesn’t suit Michele, the two women argue on the side of the road that prompts Michele to throw out the confident line of “I’m the Mary.” It’s a silly argument that drives the two apart and gives the audience an even sillier dream sequence ending with Michele confidently explaining that she is the cute one while Romy is on her deathbed.
Michele's Comeback To The A Group
"I Hope Your Babies Look Like Monkeys!"
By the time Romy and Michele drive up to their high school reunion, the two have already parted ways, spiritually of course. What follows is an exaggerated dream sequence as fans watch through Michele’s eyes an exaggerated sequence of events that take place at the reunion.
When Michele wakes up from her dream and joins Romy inside, the reunion appears like any other high school reunion. When Michele sees the popular girls humiliating Romy, Michele puts away their silly argument and comes to her rescue. The moment showcases the beauty of their friendship and proves that all one needs is one best friend who gets you.
Romy Stands Up To The A Group
"You're A Bad Person With An Ugly Heart, And We Don't Give A Flying F*** What You Think."
Everyone who’s ever had a bully dreams of finding the courage to stand up to them. Throughout the film, the audience has seen the A group torment, Romy and Michele, by slapping magnets on Michele’s back or humiliating Romy at Senior Prom. These are mean girls through and through.
So when Romy and Michele finally get the opportunity to stand up to them, fans can’t help but rejoice. After catching the two women in their Post-It lie and humiliating them in front of everyone, Romy and Michele decide to return to the reunion as themselves. Decked out in their unique clothes and a new attitude, Romy courageously tells the group off in one of the best scenes of the movie.
Heather Can't Compete With Romy And Michele
"You, With Your Long Hair And Your Long Legs Walking On Your Legs, Flipping Your Hair. Can't Compete With That."
Heather Mooney, played by Janeane Garofalo, is the iconic “I don’t give a shit” rebel kid that everyone knew in high school. The one that always dressed in black and never gave a fuck about anything. Garofalo plays the character perfectly and delivers some iconic lines in the film.
As the reunion comes to a close and Romy and Michele have stood up to Christie, Heather shares her admiration for the two blondes. This surprises Romy and Michele which prompts Heather to give her reason. The added line about everyone making everyone’s life a living hell in school makes the scene even more relatable.
Romy and Michele's Parting Words At Their Store
"Have A Romy And Michele Day!"
By the end of the film, the audience can’t help but feel joyous. After the memorable Time After Time dance sequence at the reunion, the film jumps 6 months revealing that Romy and Michele have opened up their clothing store in Los Angeles.
Inside the store is as bright and cheerful as the two characters. As Romy and Michele work happily behind the register, Romy sends off cute parting words to a customer. The line stands out for its perfect execution by Mira Sorvino. It’s fitting and would make any loyal fan of the movie smile.
Michele Suggests An Activity
"Let's Fold Scarves."
Like most 90s comedies directed at women, everything gets wrapped up in a bow and everyone gets a happy ending. Romy and Michele show off their dance moves to Cyndi Lauper, impressing the entire senior class and they get their clothing store in Melrose.
What’s left for the two women to do but fold scarves. Romy and Michele are filled with bubbly moments of pure sweetness so it makes sense that the last scene of the movie shows the two women dressing up Janeane Garofalo’s Heather in a sunny dress and doing a mundane and silly activity like folding clothes.