Draw your own conclusions.
As founder of The Warren Report, Warren Etheredge hosts over 250 events every year,
a podcast and television series. The Warren Report promotes "slow culture" through commentary, outreach,
events and education. Our principle: Smarter audiences make a better world!
If you must paraphrase FORREST GUMP
I prefer my romance bittersweet; there’s a reason my modifier as a romantic is “die-hard.” (If I could, I’d inscribe a Valentine’s to my dad: Yippi-ki-yay, motherf**ker!) Despite my darker leanings, the good folks at KUOW — Seattle’s premier NPR affiliate — asked me to come on air and identify three romantic comedies that do NOT suck. You may very well be surprised by my answers on today’s edition of Sound Focus at 2:00pm PST.
Then, I want to read your opinions. What are your all-time favorite romantic comedies? Which don’t suck? And, must we ever endure another Matthew McConaughey-Kate Hudson tear-tugger
Check back later, when The Warren Report’s over-worked and undersung Technical Director, Aaron McIntosh, will reveal a link to today’s Sound Focus podcast.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
February 13th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Not a fan of Minnie Driver, but I have to say that I have a soft spot for “Return to Me”, with Minnie and David Duchovney. Although it was also sprinkled liberally with the songs of Sinatra and Dino, so that probably has something to do with it…
February 14th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Splash.
I wish I was smart and funny.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
What’s so funny about romance?
Romantic comedies are akin to horror films to me at the moment, but I do love comedies and there are a few of my favorites that have a romantic element –
Love and Death – One of my favorite scenes comes right after Woody Allen’s quest to win the heart of the woman he loves creates a void that precipitates a desire to kill himself. It’s the kind of twisted sense of humor that rings a few true tones and makes me wonder – was it because the quest was more important than the conquest, or if once you have everything you wanted and wished for – if life doesn’t hold meaning, or if getting what you wanted you find out it wasn’t what you thought it would be. In anycase, it’s a delightfully funny film with a hint of real-life romance. Is that funny?
Secondly, this film is more heartfelt and less intellectual than Woody Allen’s and could’ve been a one joke film, but it actually made me cry a few times. ‘Lars and The Real Girl’ is about a man learning to love and how a town comes together to help support him. Tissue, please.
Lastly, I was thinking of some of my favorite romantic films – like The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Wings of Desire (remade into City of Angels and far better!)- but they don’t have much comedy in them. They did however remind me of a sweet film that I loved as a kid – ‘Heaven Can Wait’. It’s funny AND romantic – and the comedy isn’t bent on the dysfunctional romantic element.
I’d also like to send that Die Hard Valentine to a few nameless people. Thanks for the suggestion.
Sidse
and I have to admit some of my favorite comedies have a romantic element but I doubt they qualify to anyone other than me – but that’s the point right – that they’re funny to me. So here’s my top three: