Be The Plot Twist

Right people, let’s take a nosedive into the world of Romcom films.  

There are SO many out there that at first glance, it’s a little overwhelming. I mean, how many films about unlucky in love men and women do there need to be? Answer: LOTS. We need to look at these people and just KNOW that it’s all going to be ok.  

Yeah ok, so Lara-Jean found Peter Kavinsky while she was in high school. And Josie Gellar actually had to go back to high school to find the love of her life. (I ain’t no spring chicken and definitely couldn’t get these laughter lines to pass as a college kid…) But then we’ve got good old Bridget and Mr Darcy. Carrie and Mr Big. Jane, Kevin and her 27 Dresses. Relatable characters, relatable ages. (Although give me Noah Centineo any day over them, I mean, hello?! Yummy much?) 

My point is, there’s different romcoms for different situations, different ages, different sexual orientations. There’s a little bit of something for everyone. But what makes a good Romantic Comedy? What gives us that desire to keep going back for more? 

1. The Lead Characters 

At the heart of every Romantic Comedy, is a couple. A couple who ends up together at the end, vomit-inducingly in love. Throughout the film, you find yourself backing them to the very end. Screaming at one for being a total douchebag (*Cough cough* Danny Zuko) but then still totally shipping them. Or praying the 2 best friends finally realise they’re perfect for each other like Jenna and Matty from 13 Going On 30. (Mark Ruffalo is a god, pass it on.) But either way, they are the spine of the film. The focus. The end goal.  

2. The Meet-Cute 

The meet-cute seems to be an abstract concept in modern dating, after the introduction of dating apps. Can’t exactly call it a meet-cute when the first message you get from a guy is ‘Your tits look massive in that photo. Want to go on a date?’ But nevertheless, meet-cutes are a staple to a good Romcom. The moment that the couple meets for the first time. The adorable, sometimes awkward, sometimes irritating moment that the viewer realises… he/she’s the one. Whilst not present in every Romcom, they’re certainly one of my favourite things in most of them. Kumail and Emily (The Big Sick) meet after his stand-up gig where he accuses her of heckling him, and she insists she was just trying to show her support. When Jonathan and Sara (Serendipity) reach for the same pair of gloves. Or when Annie is pulled over for drink driving by Officer Rhodes (Bridesmaids).  

3. The Sidekick 

I don’t think this is solely for Romcoms… but in all great films, there’s a loveable, relatable, or sometimes annoying sidekick or two. But Romcom sidekicks are the best. They help the lead character navigate love and life, usually throwing in some wisdom and some witty remarks. Lily Moscowitz (Princess Diaries), with her no-nonsense attitude and sometimes quite harsh critiques for our young princess! Damien (Mean Girls) is loyal, straight talking and comes out with some memorable lines for Cady. (She doesn’t even go here!). The sidekick is there ‘til the end, supporting and guiding, the way only a best friend knows how. 

4. A ‘Situation’ 

The beginning of the story. The reason that they’re there. It wouldn’t be a love story without a beginning, would it? The characters have to have a reason for meeting each other. Margaret blackmails her assistant to get him to pretend they’re in a relationship (The Proposal). Nyles and Sarah are stuck in a time loop alone (Palm Springs). A famous actress falls in love with a humble shopkeeper (Notting Hill). There has to be something there at the very beginning. 

5. The Fun and Games section 

This is the premise of the film. The bit where the lead characters get to know one another, spend time together and fall head over heels in love without saying it. Like when Peter and Lara-Jean (To All The Boys I‘ve Loved Before) begin fake dating and spend all their time together and head off on the ski trip. (Noah in the hot tub though… Swoon!) Or how about when Kumail spends all that time with Emily’s parents (The Big Sick) getting to know her while she’s in a coma? Ok maybe that’s not exactly fun and games… but its sweet. But either way, it’s the time that the couple spends together, be it on a road trip, fake dating, working together or at a fun fair, where they really get to know each other. 

6. The Bump in the Road 

You can’t have a love story without some drama. Sometimes the situation comes with a bump in the road, a blockade that the couple have to get around in order to be together. It’s what grips the viewer, gives us something to fight for. Like when Sarah realises that her and Nyles had got together many, many times before (Palm Springs). Or when Hannah turns out to be Cal’s daughter in Crazy, Stupid Love. Whatever it is, it pulls the characters apart, before they inevitably come back together, stronger than before.  

7. The Click 

Otherwise known as the ‘Lightbulb Moment’. That moment in the film where there’s a realisation from either of the characters. The ‘Oh Shit’ moment. And the viewer is sat there screaming ‘YOU LOVE HER, YOU IDIOT!’. This is, without a doubt, one of my absolute favourite moments. A moment that has me letting out a little squeal, grinning like a Cheshire cat. When Harry realises that Sally is the one. When Mike asks for tap water at dinner with Abby (The Ugly Truth). It’s the moment in the film where we just know were getting to the best bit! 

8. The Grand Gesture 

We’re so close to the best bit, but first, we need the heart-stopping moment or the body-melting line. We need cheese, we need spontaneity, we need romance. We need Harry running through New York to find Sally (When Harry Met Sally). We need Mark flipping through his cards to show Juliet how he feels (Love Actually). We need Lloyd blasting ‘In Your Eyes’ on his boombox under Diane’s window (Say Anything). Fun fact – I know someone who actually recreated the famous boombox scene for a girl he was seeing (Don’t all swoon at once guys and gals!) … I have no idea what is wrong with that girl, but she let him get away! But to quote him: ‘Love in real life is more complex than big gestures.’ And whilst I do agree, if anyone wants to stand under my window playing our ‘first sex’ song… I’m all for it!  

And that brings us to the epic grand finale of our list… 

9. The Happy Ending 

The moment that is accompanied by a sigh from every viewer’s mouth, all over the world. The kiss, the wedding, the glimpse of the future featuring 2.5 kids and a white picket fence. The moment where they all live happily ever after. When Jane got married and all her bridesmaids had to wear their own, ugly-ass bridesmaids dresses in 27 Dresses. When Jenna and Matt got married and lived in a pink house (like the dream house he built for her as kids!) in 13 Going on 30. When Lara Jean and Peter started a new contract for a ‘real relationship’ in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.  

The list is tried and tested. It works. It keeps us coming back for more. And the truth is, these 9 parts that make up the ultimate romantic comedy film, somewhat apply in the real world too. Sure, there may be more than one bump in the road, your sidekick might live hundreds of miles away, your grand gesture might not lead to a happily ever after or your meet-cute might be one cringy message amongst 100 perverts on tinder, but don’t let it put you off. There’s someone out there for everyone.   

This week, I want to hear about your stories. Tell me your meet-cutes, tell me who your sidekick is, tell me about your happy endings (Even if they’re ongoing!). Give other people (like me) hope and inspiration. Let us bask in the knowledge that it’s all possible, and not just something that we see on the screen in a movie theatre.  

For now, I’m going to go ahead and rewatch a few of the films I’ve mentioned in this list and probably google repeatedly to find out who’s single and who’s not… For research purposes of course… And in case I just happen to bump into Noah Centineo on my run to B&M for cleaning supplies.  

Next week, were going to be talking books, and I cannot wait. World of Books has probably received a large portion of my wages in the last year. (Literally got a book delivery yesterday!) But a word of warning for next week, get the tissues at the ready because we’re in for an emotional night!

So, lets switch up the narrative, rewrite the script and maybe we could actually be the plot twist.  

Love ya! x