Rushmore was released in 1998 and directed by Wes Anderson, who also directed Fantastic Mr. Fox. Crazy Rich Asians was released in 2018 and directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed Step Up 2: The Streets and Step Up 3D. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was released in 2003 and directed by Donald Petrie, who also directed Miss Congeniality. Phantom Thread was released in 2017 and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who also directed Punch-Drunk Love. Just Go With It was released in 2011 and directed by Dennis Dugan, who works with star Adam Sandler regularly. 10 Things I Hate About You was released in 1999 and directed by Gil Junger, who also directed If Only. Longshot was released in 2019 and directed by Jonathan Levine, who also directed Warm Bodies. The Proposal was released in 2009 and directed by Anne Fletcher, who also directed 27 Dresses and Step Up.
Courtesy of IMDB
By Sophie Ojdanic
It’s that time of year again. Every store you enter is coated in pinks and reds. Teddy bears that say “I wuv you” when you squeeze them watch you as you pick up a box of chocolates; they know you’re gonna go home and eat the chocolates by yourself.
If you find yourself in search of something to do on the holiday of love during the middle of a pandemic, look no further than this list of The Crow’s Nest staff’s picks for their favorite romantic comedy.
Annalise’s Pick: Rushmore
Wes Anderson films haunt my nightmares. Rushmore has held up this reputation.
Rushmore follows a private school student and his mentor as they compete for the affection of a teacher at the school. While the premise could have led to a prank-filled extravaganza, Anderson’s style just made the film awkward and unsettling. Something about the framing and cuts in the film had me anticipating a rapid turn into horror.
Anyone into odd, borderline-horror type humor could probably get into Rushmore. It just wasn’t for me.
Aya’s Pick: Crazy Rich Asians
I went into this film with more expectations for comedy than what actually paid off. There wasn’t a point in the movie where I laughed. At all.
But I think Crazy Rich Asians is still a solid romance in terms of sincerity. The film showcases genuine-seeming relationships between its characters, which add another layer to the drama of the story.
While I don’t think Crazy Rich Asians is a film to get your laughs out with, I think it’s still a solid romance movie for those who enjoy an occasional soft chuckle.
Catherine’s Pick: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Mid 90s to early 2000s rom-coms feel like a time capsule of hilarity. Newer rom-coms, for me at least, don’t live up to the charm of the 2000s.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days stars Matthew McConaughey — so you know we’re already headed in the right direction — and Kate Hudson as an ad manager and magazine writer who use each other to further their own careers. As Hudson tries to convince McConaughey to leave her within 10 days for an article, McConaughey tries his best to make Hudson fall in love with him so he can deliver an advertising pitch.
The misadventures and shocking moments had me laughing out loud at times, and certain areas of the film still felt genuine and romantic. Anyone looking for a heartfelt comedy can find that here.
Darnell’s Pick: Phantom Thread
Now, I know what you’re thinking: This isn’t a rom-com. But Darnell insisted that he spent the entire film laughing. Maybe he was just uncomfortable.
The Phantom Thread stars Daniel Day-Lewis as an English dressmaker who instantly falls in love with a woman in a cafe, played by Vicky Krieps. Krieps becomes Day-Lewis’ muse and lover, but distance grows between the two. The film focuses on the dramatic aspects of a deteriorating and toxic relationship.
Though this film is critically acclaimed, I don’t think it would be the best watch for Valentine’s Day. Maybe a dramatic and rainy evening.
Edyn’s Pick: Just Go With It
With Blended, 50 First Dates, Spanglish, and many more, I think it’s safe to say that Adam Sandler is in the pantheon of rom-com stars. He’s coming for your title as king, Hugh Grant.
The story follows a plastic surgeon, played by Sandler, as he attempts to fake a divorce to get a girl he connected with at a party. Yes, fake a divorce. That wasn’t a typo. At some points, as can be expected with Sandler, it got a little over the top, but most of the film was pretty funny.
For a relatively simple laugh, I would recommend watching Just Go With It. It won’t necessarily tug at your heartstrings, but it’ll put everyone in a positive mood.
Molly’s Pick: 10 Things I Hate About You
I had largely evaded this film until recently, when I finally sat down to experience baby Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Heath Ledger in all of their glory.
The movie is less funny than romantic or iconic, but it still has its moments of A-tier humor. It follows the story of two sisters who are pursued by Gordon-Levitt and Ledger. While Gordon-Levitt and the younger sister get along while, Ledger and the older sister could not be more different. 10 Things I Hate About You focuses on the challenging relationships between these two characters, and manages to portray both sides sympathetically.
Of the movies on this list, 10 Things I Hate About You would be the most oriented to teens, in case anyone is looking for a bit of a lighter Valentine’s Day flick.
Trevor’s Pick: Longshot
If anyone is wondering how much I also love this film, know this: I have the poster hanging on my wall. It’s behind me as I write this.
It stars Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron as a journalist-turned-speechwriter and a presidential candidate, respectively. The relationship between the duo, who turn out to have some history, develops as Rogen’s character works on Theron’s character’s speeches. It manages to be both sincere and silly, making it one of my favorite rom-coms ever and possibly the best of recent years.
Seth Rogen can turn some people off from films, but I will say that this is one of his more reserved roles, if that helps any of you. Rogen and Theron play well off of each other, and they’re humor seems well-balanced and well-timed throughout.
Sophie’s Pick: The Proposal
Ryan Reynolds. Sandra Bullock. I mean, what else do you need? Scenes from this movie were linked in my Instagram bio for years.
The Proposal is absolutely hilarious as it follows the story of Bullock as Reynolds’ Canadian boss, who needs to get married as quickly as possible to stay in the United States. Reynolds agrees, but drags Bullock back to his home town to meet his family before the wedding. Did I mention that Reynolds and Bullock start this film absolutely despising each other?
This movie lands at the edge of the perfect era of rom-coms I mentioned above, meaning that it serves as a time capsule of 2009 while also delivering a feel-good story.
