By Leatithia C. Zeitouny | Staff Writer

Poems, songs, and movies have always been about love. But how can people trust something that ends so quickly? Whether you think romantic comedies are overrated, cheesy or just a waste of time, you have got to admit that there are a lot of good romcoms out there. Hopeless romantics have always fancied watching romcoms as their guilty pleasure. Romantic comedies do not only portray a love story, but they also offer it with a comedic sense as the name suggests, showcasing rather complex characters. From “You’ve Got Mail” to “Harry Meets Sally”, those movies won so many awards and are still being rewatched by enthusiasts. But what makes them so great? I, for one, love to spend my free time watching such movies. They feel lighthearted and although some complications might occur between characters, romcoms usually end on a happy ending. These endings warm my heart and give me hope that such love can exist even in the generation we live in today. Those movies leave you at awe of what could possibly be. They make you want to live for the hope of finding such a perfect loving partner.

Romcoms usually start off with the female lead getting ready, going to school or to work. They show the moment where both protagonists meet and that’s where the story begins. They are filled with sweet, heart-warming moments as you thoroughly watch both characters start to fall in love with each other. Romcoms usually involve a shy, clumsy girl who is so unique and a kind, sweet, and loving man who can’t figure out something he won’t do for his partner. The romantic leads should have believable chemistry and a dynamic relationship that keeps viewers engaged and rooting for them. That’s why a meticulous process should happen in order to pick the right actors for the role. 

A sometimes-recurring plot is when one of the main characters doesn’t believe in love at first sight or even love in general like “The Sun Is Also a Star”. Occasionally, in some romcoms, a travel or a getaway aspect is introduced. For example, in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”, the couple go on a getaway so that the girl can meet his parents. Sometimes, movies are associated with an iconic song they include. The song becomes inseparable from the film itself, forging a deep connection between the music and the cinematic experience. Whether it is “(I’ve Had) the Time of my life” by Bill Medley in “Dirty Dancing” or “Can’t Keep My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli in “10 Things I Hate About You”, a good classic song defines a romcom. 

Typically, in the middle of the movie, the couple get into this huge conflict or argument where the chances of them getting back together become slim in the eye of the viewer. This is where the grand romantic gesture occurs. Whether it is a guy holding up a boombox outside of the girl’s window or him running after her in the airport as she is about to catch a plane, the guy always tries to fix things by planning this huge romantic gesture. While people might argue that it isn’t realistic, people find themselves anxious, counting the minutes until the girl notices or hoping that the guy will get there in time. If a romantic gesture is not introduced, then, usually there is some sort of confession being made. For example, in Notting Hill when Julia Roberts famously said: “I am just a girl, standing in front of a guy, asking him to love her”. As previously mentioned, most romcoms end on a happy note. After the grand romantic gesture, the guy usually gets the girl. As the couple share a kiss of joy and fulfilment, the movie ends leaving a bittersweet sensation among the viewers. However, in other romantic comedies, the guy finds himself at loss as he reminisces about their time together or even hopeless like in “500 Days of Summer”.

Many tropes happen to be the base of romcoms. These tropes are often recurring, but they still form a great plot for these movies. It can be friends to lovers or even enemies to lovers. There is also forced proximity or fake dating like in “To All The boys I’ve Loved Before”. There’s also the forbidden love and the second chance love.

At last, whether you don’t typically choose to watch romcoms, these movies have been in the industry for quite a long time and some of them have been blockbusters. Whether it’s the timeless appeal of a classic love story or the fresh perspective of a modern twist, the best romantic comedies remind us of the enduring power of love and laughter. So, the next time you’re in need of a pick-me-up or a heartwarming escape, look no further than a well-crafted romcom to lift your spirits and leave you with a smile.