Like peanut butter and jelly, and spaghetti and meatballs, romance and comedy always taste better when served together. Sure, for the most part, rom-coms may demand a high suspension of disbelief. But for those hoping to add some bright pastel colors to the greys of life, the rose-tinted drama and over-the-top humor of the genre never disappoint.
Romantic comedies, as wonderful as they may seem, aren't always bereft of criticism though. According to naysayers of the genre, they're formulaic, unrealistic, and at times, even detrimental to society. Many Redditors, too, have gone against the grain and reasonably explained why they're anti-romcom.
Groundhog Day Is Far From Being The Greatest Rom-Com
From sci-fi fans to rom-com lovers, many tout Groundhog Day as one of the greatest movies of all time. In fact, there's a whole time travel trope named after it. What makes it so different from most generic rom-coms is not only its intriguing time loop concept but also its philosophical underpinnings.
Like most fans, a Reddit user appreciated its ingenious narrative, comedy, and performances. However, from a sentimental standpoint, they felt the movie lacked the cathartic character development that can be seen in other similar movies like Bruce Almighty and 17 Again. Contrary to their opinion, another Redditor justified that maybe that's the whole point of the film—it demonstrates that "personal change does not happen overnight."
Vicky Christina Barcelona Has Annoying Narration
While some see it as a mere reflection of Woody Allen's persona, others call it a sorrowful comedy. At its core, however, Vicky Christina Barcelona offers an unflinching look at relationships that are always on the horns of a dilemma.
Like most of the auteur's movies, this one, too, divides viewers and critics. For instance, a Redditor was turned off by the bright yellow tint on its beautiful imagery and also its dull narration. As they quoted, the narration sounds like "a computer text-to-speech program" and detracts viewers from the movie's general tone. However, a responder on the thread agreed to disagree, suggesting that the bland narration purposefully juxtaposes its poignant characters.
You've Got Mail Is A Tragedy In Disguise
Even after more than two decades since its release, many can't help but obsess over the scintillating on-screen chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail. It isn't surprising though as the duo seamlessly weaves together the simplicities of classic romcoms with the complexities of modern internet-centric relationships.
Looking beyond its heartwarming premise, a Redditor called it a "Libertarian fantasy." They pointed out that Tom Hanks' character is more or less of a capitalist subjugator who "gets the girl in the end...and shuts down a shop that was her family's business so his father's superstore can cut a tiny sliver more profit." The interpretation sure has some merit to it, but it doesn't overshadow the film's lovey-dovey semblance.
50 First Dates Has A Disturbing Ending
With Somewhere Over the Rainbow playing in its backdrop, the closing scene of 50 First Dates unfolds amidst a scenic mid-sea landscape and makes viewers swoon over the adorable relationship between a vet and a girl with short-term amnesia. It's an almost perfect rom-com "happy" ending. However, according to a Redditor, there's more to it than meets the eye.
The Reddit user suggested that as adorable as it may seem, the movie's climactic scene is disturbing from the female protagonist's perspective as she wakes up in the middle of nowhere, with a man she doesn't know. While they do have a point, it seems unfair to take a Happy Madison film too seriously.
Love, Simon Is Clichèd
At the forefront of Love, Simon, there's a complex love story that highlights the coming-of-age of a 17-year-old named Simon who struggles to come out as gay. Many critics and viewers have agreed that with its comical yet moving representation of his journey to fit in, the movie finds its place among the most influential and commendable modern takes on LGBTQ+ representation in cinema.
Contrasting the above, a Redditor called it "clichèd and tone-deaf," arguing that it's no different from most other teen comedies that "mainstream" viewers admire. Others on the same thread seemed discontent with the LGBTQ+ genre as a whole and even suggested that it seemed like "Love, Simon was not made to look progressive."
Love Actually Is Over-Rated
The romantic developments and cheesy but warmed-over moments of Love Actually don't fall too far from the machinations of mainstream rom-com. Still, by the virtue of its star-studded cast, fluid production, and commendable writing, the film tugs a string or two in a viewer's heart.
Many Redditors, however, disagree with the crowd and detest almost everything about the film. Some call it a "sugar-coated ultimate Christmas rom-com that romanticizes cheating" while others see it as a film about people being mean to one another. There are a few others, though, who still stand by it and claim that its realistic portrayal of love may not be easy to digest, but is relatable nonetheless.
My Best Friend's Wedding Is Unrealistic
What initially seems like another run-of-the-mill rom-com romp, later defies a viewer's expectations and subverts almost every known trope of the genre. That's the beauty of My Best Friend's Wedding. Contrasting other romcoms, the characters of this one are flawed, unpredictable, and confused in love. Due to this, it isn't unsurprising why critics called it realistic.
A Redditor, on the other hand, isn't convinced by the movie's sense of realism. They argued that although Julia Roberts' character is charming, she doesn't act her age and seems immature. Meanwhile, even Cameron Diaz's character, Kimmy, is too good and "naive" to be true.
500 Days Of Summer Is Terrible
Offbeat in every sense, 500 Days of Summer offers new insight into the reality of romantic relationships. By the virtue of its cast and well-written characters, the film remains heartwarming despite its bold take on incompatibility and the perils of falling in love.
However, while most appreciate its clever portrayal of romantic pursuits, one Reddit user had a hard time understanding it the first time. They did appreciate the movie's overall message but reasoned that its "extremely disjointed and boring" plot jumps overshadow everything it has to say. The sentiments of the Redditor are understandable, but perhaps, it's the film's convoluted chronology that makes it so unique and intriguing to most.
Alex Strangelove's Is Slightly Problematic
Alex Strangelove seamlessly uses comedy as a tool to address didactic subject matters surrounding sexual identity and self-discovery, kicking heteronormativity to the curb. Contrary to many viewers and critics, a Reddit user found the movie's LGBTQ+ representation slightly problematic.
They felt that the movie's representation of a gay character using bisexuality as a mere cover "is a really common stereotype that plagues the bi community." However, it seems like the viewer's insights are based on their personal interpretation since the director, Craig Johnson, explained how the film is semi-autobiographical and is more about the character's journey through sexual exploration where "bisexual was a stop on the bus," not a cover.
La La Land Is Boring
As the title of the movie suggests, La La Land takes viewers on a magical rhapsodic journey through love, life's choices, and their co-dependency in relationships. Not to mention, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling's singing and dancing performances make it all the more endearing.
However, not everyone's pleased with the many talents the two stars displayed in the film. A Reddit user claimed to love both, but not their singing performances. They further added that the film was "incredibly boring" and none of the songs were memorable enough. But despite panning the movie, its music, and even its ending, the Redditor at least agreed with one popular opinion: "the cinematography was very beautiful."