Most of the men I know take their wives or girlfriends to see the newest romantic comedy with less than enthusiastic hearts. I wanted to share this little bit of advise to the men and women out there who love movies, but maybe not the same genre of movie. There are romantic comedies out there that most assuredly amuse both men and women.
The films are written and/or directed by two women; Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers. If a new comedy has either of these names connected to it, we are off to the theater. As more mature adults (gray-heads), we don’t venture to the theater for many movies these days because we generally leave the theater with a bad case of culture shock.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and it’s a day when we want to do something particularly romantic for one another. There are a ton of romantic ideas floating out there, but if your life is filled with busyness, just sitting down and watching a movie can be a real treat.
Here is a short list of Nora Ephron films:
Julie & Julia (2009)
Meryl Streep & Amy Adams: the parallel lives of Julie (a New York blogger who cooked every recipe in Julia Child’s cookbook in 2002) and Julia (masterfully played by Meryl Street) whose life in France with husband Paul and the Cordon Blue Cooking School are chronicled. Lots of great laughs.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks: this is a remake of an old Jimmy Stewart film called, “The Shop Around the Corner” that was released around 1936. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are emailing one another after meeting in a chat room even though they are both book sellers (Tom Hanks puts Meg out of business) they don’t know the identity of one another for quite some time in this story line. Delightfully funny and romantic.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks: Do you believe in destiny? How can two people who live on either side of the country be romantically connected even though they have never met? If you believe it was destiny who shoved you together with your mate, then you’ll love the monumental hurdles these two overcame to get together.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Meg Ryan & Billy Crystal: This lovable little romantic film is chuck-full of barbed quips between two people who meet in college and run into one another every five years until they become good friends. Can a man and woman remain good friends after having sex? That is the threaded discussion played out in this film.
Here is a short list of Nancy Meyers films:
It’s Complicated (2009) still in theaters
Meryl Streep & Alec Baldwin: My husband I have been to the theater twice to see this one; it’s absolutely hilarious. Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin have been divorced for 10 years, but get back together at their son’s college graduation. Even though Alec Baldwin is married to a much younger woman, he longs for the family he left behind. However, there is plenty of hilarious conflict to keep any man awake and laughing to the end. Do they stay together? This one is a MUST see!
The Holiday (2006)
Cameron Diaz & Jude Law; Kate Winslet & Jack Black: The trailers for this film didn’t interest us, so we waited for it to come out on DVD before seeing it. Kate Winslet has been dealt a blow by her foolish boyfriend in England as has Cameron Diaz in L.A. Through the magic of the Internet, they swap houses for the Christmas to New Year holiday and find love when they weren’t looking for it. The plot may be simplistic, but the masterful editing keeps your interest to the end. Do they maintain their long-distance relationships after the New Year? Delightful.
Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
Diane Keaton & Jack Nicholson: Jack Nicholson is playing himself in this film (based on everything I’ve read about his reputation). He is a philandering bachelor who is fast-approaching later life. He ends up at Diane Keaton’s beach house because he is dating her daughter (Amanda Peet). He suffers a heart attack while there and Diane Keaton is left in charge of his recovery. They fall in love (much to their surprise), but Jack has some huge commitment issues to overcome before making it all work out. Another belly laugh for all!
What Women Want (2000)
Mel Gibson & Helen Hunt: Mel Gibson is an ad exec who has to market women’s products but is too macho to know how to pull it off. Through a bathroom accident, he is given the ability to hear the thoughts of women. It’s cute and funny. The actors pull it off with comedy that keeps your watching to the end.
So check your DVD collection for these and more by Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers. These films never grow old because they are extraordinarily written and directed.