But there’s no single, universally accepted definition for what actually qualifies as a rom-com.
Is 1987’sThe Princess Bridea rom-com?
(No, yes, and no, but I’ll get to that.)
Everett Collection; 20th Century Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Everett Collection
A disclaimer: There is no official ruling on what is or is not a rom-com.
Terminology evolves over time and genres are subjective, especially one as mainstream and popular as the romantic comedy.
To be a rom-com, a movie cannot just be a romance and also a comedy.
Everett Collection
A rom-com is a discrete, unique category for a film.
Someone falls in love with the person whose (shenanigan!)
wedding they’re planning.
Everett Collection
An immature character tries to make a relationship with someone who they (shenanigan!)
impregnated during a one-night stand.
A protagonist falls in love with the individual they’re emailing who (shenanigan!)
Chuck Zlotnick/Fox Searchlight
owns the bookstore and threatens to shut their store down!
And it’s a romance (“As you wish"swoon).
We’re told from the beginning that their love is perfect, epic, and pure.
TONE
Does itfeellike a rom-com?
Is there a feeling of aspirational lightheartedness?
Doessomeone work in mediabut live in an inexplicably massive apartment?
Is the title sequence establishing shots of New York City played under a catchy song?
The relationship isn’t essential to the plot in either movie.
The same is true for Warner (Matthew Davis) in 2001’sLegally Blonde.
Elle’s (Reese Witherspoon) primary conflict is her future career.
Thus, it’sNOT A ROM-COM.
To go back toThe Princess Bride, tonally, it doesn’t feel like a romantic comedy.
So my judgment call is no, it doesn’t qualify.
You might weigh that and conclude the low tone score outweighs the points for structure; I would disagree.
My verdict is that this is aROM-COM.
(2001):More of a drama than a comedy, it’sNOT A ROM-COM.
It’s just a romance movie and isNOT A ROM-COM.
(I’m right.)
