February
14, 2008 Hollywood Romantic
Comedies:
They are Not What they Used to Be By Sevanand Gaddala
They just don't make them like they used to. In those romantic
comedies of the golden era of Hollywood there would be two
headstrong, independent people virtually warring continually before
eventually falling in love. A lot more movies then used this simple
premise to create the kind of romantic movie magic that we
desperately miss in our fare these days.
But now our romantic comedies are predictable, bland and try to make
us feel good than depicting love as an exhilarating feeling and an
adventure. As the focus on love in general intensifies around
Valentine's Day, it is timely to examine just how different the
movies' interpretation of love today differs from the past.
The movies of the 1930s and 40s starring onscreen pairs like
Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant or Doris Day and Rock Hudson
(though he was gay in real life) in classics like "Bringing Up
Baby", "Holiday", "The Lady Eve" and "The Palm Beach Story" are
simply so much more entertaining.
The dialogue was sharp, acidic and witty, especially since the man
and woman were stubborn people who did not easily give in to love.
They would resort to sarcasm and verbal attacks to sometimes hide
their true feelings of love. There was a thrill in just trying to
keep up with the sharp verbal exchanges as the two tried to be one
up on each other. The women might have been sweet but they could
also whip out a streak of meanness just to put the man in place.
The problem with romantic comedies these days is not that they are a
worn out genre. There is nothing wrong with the romantic comedy
formulas even if they are straightforward. There will usually be a
single woman with two men interested in her. One will seem perfect
for her but in the end she will go for the man who is so opposite to
her that they spend the whole time fighting.
Or, a womaniser will be reformed by a woman who initially found him
repulsive. Then there is the couple struggling with their
relationship before they realise they are meant for each other.
Though the movies use the same formula today, the problem is the
blandness. It all started to go wrong in the 1990s with the onset of
many Meg Ryan starrers. "Sleepless in Seattle" kicked it off and
continued with "You've Got Mail", "While You Were Sleeping" and "Notting
Hill."
The woman is all cute and supposed to represent the girl next door.
She doesn't banter much and will only go as far as to assert herself
a little in an argument with a man.
The filmmakers seem to be under the impression that we the audience
are wounded by love and more in need of therapy. The men are either
too nice, noble or just too scared to offend. Love here is too
comfortable and served as comfort food. We are meant to renew our
hope in love by feeling good about ourselves.
The dearth of good romantic comedies could be a phase. Hollywood is
notorious for its cycles and trends. But for those looking for more
from romance in movies, a look back into the past will prove more
satisfying.
(Sevanand Gaddala is an Indian film writer. He can be contacted at
sevanand@gmail.com)
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