I guess I consider myself a romantic comedy connoisseur. Maybe even an expert or possibly an aficionado, for sure a snob. More than just casual 'date night' entertainment, I expect a lot from my romantic comedies and Nora Ephron (oh, add name dropper to the list), Julie & Julia's writer and director, almost always delivers.
The worst thing about being an expert about anything is when it's done badly, it's pure torture to watch. Let's say you were really, really into, I don't know, blowing bubble gum bubbles and you are forced to, no, have to pay to watch someone doing it all wrong, or not the way you would do it–making a sticky mess with small careless, unacceptable bubbles. That is what it's like for me when I watch a bad romantic comedy (Like any movie Jennifer Aniston has made…pick anyone.) Luckily, Julie & Julia is a good movie. A great one, with exceptions.
Larry was one of three men in the almost full theatre when we went to see it last week. I suppose being a chick movie about cooking gave this movie a one-two punch that even a cameo of Jason Bourne concocting a Molotov cocktail from one of Julia's discarded olive oil bottles couldn't dodge. But, even without that, (I think brilliant image) Larry enjoyed it. He's like that, all big and tough, but he will nudge me in a movie and say things like "That's just like you," "Cute dog," or "I like that kitchen."
Nora Ephron is the master of romantic comedies: When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle…you get the idea. She is absolutely my romantic comedy idol (and very funny) and she has made this movie sweet and likable even with its flaws–like making Julie less adorable and more whiney and dreary.
There were so many things in this movie that were so Ephron; the way Julie holds her ranch-dipped carrot as she talked, the mix of '40s jazz and modern music, the manner that Paul (Julia's husband) asks her if she really wants to make hats, and even blatant lines from her other movies, "You're right. You're right. I know you're right" is straight out of "When Harry Met Sally."
The best test of a good romantic comedy is if the next day you still feel a residual warm, golden, syrupy sweetness in your heart that you can't quite pinpoint, but makes you want to throw your arms around your husband and laugh at his silly ways when he forgets to run the dishwasher, again. A great one should make you feel your heartbreak is part of some super corny, yet noble global sorority, not alone in your bedroom watching a movie on Lifetime at 1 a.m. They should leave you happy, hopeful and quoting memorable lines for years to come.
My top five romantic comedies:
❅❅❅❅❅❅
Other Amateurish Reviews by Me:
I’m looking forward to seeing Julie & Julia. I love all of your top five except I haven’t seen His Girl Friday which is weird because I adore all Cary Grant movies. Bridget Jones’ Diary is probably my least favorite but that’s ONLY because I think the book is so much better. I laugh until I cry when I read that book. The movie is still in my top ten though. 🙂
I’ve seen all of your top picks and love them except for Roxanne- I’ve never watched. I just caught Julie and Julia last week and loved it! It was clever, funny and I just love anything by Nora Ephrom or Meryl Streep. The combination makes it a win win!
I love this Suz. I love Nora also, she is brilliant. I think she should write, produce and direct the movie about us one day.
So, is Jason Bourne NOT in this movie? For a second there, I thought I could get my husband take me too. 🙂
When Harry Met Sally is one of my all-time faves. I could watch it weekly and not get sick of it!
Don’t forget When a Man Loves a Woman!!! I love that my husband will go see any movie I like too. 🙂
When Harry Met Sally is one of my all-time favorites & Roxanne is high on that list! 🙂
(“Worms, Roxanne! Worms!” LOL)
Okay well, 40-year old virgin is technically a romantic comedy and I love the heck out of that movie.
I really want to see Julie and Julia but I’ll have to go with a friend.
I saw 500 Days of Summer recently and really liked it. It’s quirky and refreshing, and written by guys if I remember right . . . that’s probably why. It’s got that “I think this was written by someone about my age with a similar perspective” quality about it.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a really fun one, too.
I need to go see this…I love Nora!
I love all of your favorite movies, too! Every one of them! Great picks! Now I must see Julie and Julia (that is the only one I haven’t seen, LOL.)
I so want to see this movie! I’m sure I won’t see it until it is available on Netflix or Cable on demand.
Love this! And I love your other movie picks!
Cant wait to see this!
Love your new look!
It looks wonderful.
Julie and Julia was amazing. I had the perfect birthday of seeing the afternoon show and then off to a nice dinner. What I loved about this movie was the constant smile on my face while Julia was on. Julie was a little (well really a lot) grating, but it made the Julia parts all the more delicious!
I loved Julie and Julia–couldn’t miss with me, with Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Stanley Tucci starring. I saw it with my sis-in-law and her guy, and we all loved it. It inspired me to make Boeuf Bourgougnone (sp??) a few days after, from Julia’s book, and it was wonderful, of course.
I just met Amanda Hesser and instantly adored her. As tiny as she looks in the movie, in real life she is even smaller! I do not understand how she can write about food and cooking constantly when it looks like she must survive on nothing but a celery stick a day.
I get that same feeling from Pulp Fiction.