He Said/She Said: Romantic Comedies 101

On the cover of the DVD is a quote from a reviewer and it says, "The best romantic comedy of the year!" - Maria Salas, CBS-TV. Now, don't get me wrong I really enjoy You've Got Mail but no way would I say it was one of the best romantic comedies of 1998. It does not compare to Something About Mary, The Wedding Singer, Can't Hardly Wait, or Out of Sight (all which were released in '98 as well).

If you are apart of the original AOL generation, in your 20-30's, a Nora Ephron or a Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks fan than You've Got Mail is right up your alley. The essence of this movie is that sometimes you can find love where and with whom you least expect. (Teenagers though might find this dated and a bit cheesy since they live in a world filled with instant responses and text messages). The only appeal to them might be Dave Chappelle.

Speaking of Dave Chappelle, every time he is on screen he steals the scene right under Tom Hanks nose. In a supporting role, he plays Kevin Jackson, Joe Fox's right hand man in work and life. Dave delivers his lines as if he was performing stand up. While discussing the new Fox Books Superstore Joe mentions how that they "should announce ourselves to the neighborhood. Just let them know, here we come." In his classic comedic tone, Kevin responds by saying, " Oh, no, this is the Upper West Side, man. We might as well tell 'em we're opening up  a crack house. They're gonna hate us..." HIL-AR-IOUS!! Unfortuantely though he's not in the special features. Most of it is devoted to Nora Ephron, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I say bring on the bloopers, give us Dave Chappelle commentary, have him interview Tom & Meg! But... I digress.

So how does You've Got Mail fit into the romantic comedy genre? Is Ephron going against the conventions or using them? I say Ephron does a bit of both. Yes, there are the over the top scenes with the dramatic music score (ie: When Kathleen is saying there isn't anyone in particular in her life but the dream of someone. Or after the store is closed and empty she sees herself as a little girl twirling with her mother in the store). Those were a little too much even for you, Ephron. There is the love/hate storyline between Kathleen and Joe, which interestingly enough parallels Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's realtionship in the book Pride and Prejudice, (a book featured in this movie). And who can forget the numerous conflict scenes, which cause us to wonder: Will they or won't they? Are they ever going to meet? Will business get in the way of love? 

But when Ephron isn't incorporating the romantic comedy conventions she does give us something fresh and witty. Two protaganists (male and female): Hanks, Ryan, and a supporting cast that get opportunities to tell the jokes. This is extremely refreshing particularly for the female actresses who are often the joke itself. As mentioned earlier Ephron doesn't just tell a love story, rather she comments on society, technology, pop culture, business world, money, corporate greed, NYC lifestyle, love, etc. And last but not least the beautiful scenery of NYC's Upper West Side as the backdrop. For me that's what added to the element of realism in the movie. A good amount of the scenes were either shot outside or if inside with a view of NYC in the background.

You've Got Mail, gives all us single people some hope and insight. Perhaps the person you hate, or the person sitting next to on the train, or bumped into on the street could be your next friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wive. Yes, I know that sounds completely cheesy, cliche and unrealistic but isn't that one of the reasons people go to the movies?For entertainment value, to escape their life even if it is for a brief two hours. I mean no one said movies had to be 100% accurate and real all the time.

Ephron, you brought it on and did quite well. So now it's Crowe's turn. Bring it on. Bring- it- on.

Stay tuned...

// posted by singleinthecity @ 9:07 PM