Cover These films put new twists on old tropes, introducing fresh faces and updating the romcom genre for modern audiences. (Photo: IMDb)
These films put new twists on old tropes, introducing fresh faces and updating the romcom genre for modern audiences. (Photo: IMDb)
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If you’ve been missing the golden age of romantic comedies, here are seven modern rom-coms that capture the charm and humor of ’90s and early 2000s classics
The romantic comedy genre seems to have faded from the spotlight since its golden age in the ’90s and early 2000s, but a recent wave of rom-coms has emerged, intent on recapturing the charm, heart and magic of the classics.
These recent films put new twists on old tropes, introduce fresh faces and update the romcom genre for modern audiences. The formula for success, however, remains the same: sizzling chemistry, sharp comedy and swoon-worthy romance.
From a Shakespearean retelling to genre mashups, here are seven new rom-com movies that seem to have gotten it right.
Also read: The full spectrum of Jane Austen screen adaptations: what to watch (and what to skip)
‘Anyone But You’
The movie, based loosely on William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, owes much of its success to the undeniable chemistry of its stars Sydney Sweeney (Bea) and Glen Powell (Ben)—a chemistry so palpable it led to speculations of an off-screen romance.
Rumours aside, the film delivers on both romance and comedy, breathing fresh life into familiar rom-com tropes. It’s sexy without being tawdry, sweet without being treacly and funny without being cheesy. Of all the recent romantic comedies, this one comes the closest to recapturing the magic of the genre’s golden age in the ’90s and early 2000s.
Don’t miss: 5 times Sydney Sweeney made us swoon on the red carpet
‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’
The fourth and final Bridget Jones movie finds everyone’s favourite London gal (Renée Zellweger) dipping her toe back into the dating pool after spending years being a smug married woman. Now a widow and a single mother, she finds herself tentatively navigating Tinder and age-gap relationships.
She does so in true Bridget fashion and with the trademark humour audiences have come to expect. But what might take fans by surprise is the depth with which the movie explores grief and loss, too. Yes, there’s plenty of romance and laughs, but there’s also plenty of tears and heartbreak.
‘Set It Up’
Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell star as Harper Moore and Charlie Young, two frazzled assistants to demanding, high-power executives, Kirsten Stevens (Lucy Liu) and Rick Otis (Taye Diggs). Desperate for some relief, they hatch a plan to, as Charlie puts it, “Parent Trap” their bosses. The assistants set them up and hope they fall in love to finally get their own time back. But things take an unexpected turn when Charlie and Harper end up falling for each other in the process.
If people are looking for the next generation of rom-com stars, they need look no further than Deutch and Powell. They have the charm to take on romantic roles, the comedic timing to land the laughs and the sensibility needed to sell a romantic comedy to an audience.
‘A Family Affair’
In this Netflix age-gap romantic comedy, Zara Ford’s (Joey King) life is turned upside-down when her widowed, award-winning author mom, Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman), falls for her vapid Hollywood action star boss, Chris Cole (Zac Efron).
The movie is a cross between Nancy Meyers (see: Brooke’s swoon-worthy home and that supermarket finale) and the Hallmark Channel (hello, Christmas at the family cabin). And although it captures the charm of both, it asks viewers to suspend disbelief—and then some. However, Kidman and Efron’s warm and easy rapport still manages to sell the unlikely romance.
See also: Dolly de Leon joins Nicole Kidman in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ season 2
‘The Lost City’
Sandra Bullock, poster child for ’90s and 2000s rom-coms, delivers once again in The Lost City. Here, she plays Loretta Sage, a socially awkward romance novelist, opposite Channing Tatum as her hilariously dense cover model, Alan. A run-in with an eccentric billionaire played by Daniel Radcliffe takes them on a wild treasure hunt deep in the jungle, where hijinks ensue and romance blossoms.
The movie works thanks to Bullock’s sharp comedic instincts and her chemistry with Tatum. It’s brimming with zany wit and charm, and features a scene-stealing cameo from Bullock’s pal and Bullet Train co-star Brad Pitt.
‘Hit Man’
It’s beginning to look like Glen Powell is shaping up to be what Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock were to rom-coms in the ’90s and early aughts. In this Richard Linklater-directed romcom-slash-crime caper, he stars as a philosophy professor who moonlights as a fake hitman for police sting operations. He shares the screen with Adria Arjona, who quickly goes from suspect to love interest.
On top of Linklater’s witty dialogue and sharp humour, Powell and Arjona bring insane chemistry and deliver strong performances that merge screwball and sexy to create something fresh and unique.
‘The Fall Guy’
David Leitch, director of John Wick, Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train, ventures into rom-com territory with The Fall Guy. The film follows retired stuntman Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), who returns to work on the set of a big-budget action movie his ex, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), is directing, all in a bid to win her back.
It’s double the charisma and star power with Gosling and Blunt, who share exceptional romantic and comedic chemistry. There’s a lot of high-octane action, but at the heart of the movie is the love story between Colt and Jody.
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