Rom-Coms: The Good, The Bad, and The Cliché
There’s nothing better than curling up on a cozy couch with some popcorn and a classic romantic comedy. From Pretty Woman to Love Actually, rom-coms have been a staple in Hollywood for decades.
But as popular as they are, are these movies really effective at teaching us about love and relationships? It’s no secret that we live in a media-obsessed world.
We’re constantly bombarded with messages about what a perfect relationship should look like, from the pages of newspapers to social media, blogs, TV, and radio. But how much of these messages are actually helpful to us when it comes to navigating the real-world pitfalls of the dating arena?
In many ways, romantic comedies are a reflection of our collective desire for love and romance. They showcase the trials and tribulations of the search for “the one,” and the lengths we will go to in order to find and win over our soulmate.
But all too often, these films rely on tried and tested clichés that have become so ingrained in our collective consciousness that we hardly even notice them anymore. Let’s take a closer look at some of these classic rom-com clichés, and how they may not always hold up so well in the real world.
Worlds Apart
One of the most common rom-com tropes is the “gutter rat” or “street girl” falling in love with the “classy sophisticate.” This trope is often used to demonstrate that relationship success isn’t about social class, and that love can transcend barriers of wealth and privilege. But in reality, relationships between lower class individuals and those in the silver spoon circuit can be fraught with issues related to power dynamics, access to resources, and cultural differences.
The Bumble
A hallmark of the Hugh Grant brand of romantic comedy, the “bumble” trope involves a stammering, psychologically afflicted leading man who eventually wins over his potential soulmate with an attractive, smoldering kiss. While this trope may be entertaining on the big screen, in real life, mental health struggles are no joke, and it’s important to be sensitive to the needs of those around us who may be dealing with psychological issues.
Love and Hate
Another common trope pits outspoken types against one another, with the two falling in love after a vitriolic verbal exchange, often at a police station or other high-stress setting. While these scenes can be entertaining to watch, in real life, falling in love after a heated argument is not always the recipe for romantic bliss.
Always There
The “perennially supportive friend” trope often appears at the romantic conclusion of many films. This character may have extra-platonic merits, but ultimately they’re written as a symbol of the protagonist’s desperation, disillusionment, and bitterness.
In real life, relationships between friends and romantic partners can be complicated, and it’s important to prioritize healthy boundaries and communication.
The Quirk and the Jerk
Sometimes, a romantic comedy will pair up an unusual object of someone’s desires (a free-living hippie chick, perhaps) with a charming serial adulterer or charmless misanthrope. This can lead to a lot of plot twists and drama, but in real life, such a pairing can be anything but functional.
In real life, being with someone who drives you insane doesn’t tend to be a recipe for happily ever after.
Physical Mismatch
The romantic leading man or woman is often presented as a physically perfect Adonis or Aphrodite type, while their love interest may have shallowness, good looks, and little else going for them. While it may be fun to imagine a dynamic where the most conventionally attractive person winds up with the bumbling lost cause, in real life, relationships are most successful when all involved parties are looking for more than just skin-deep attraction.
The Late Bloomer
The “nerdy wannabe leading man or woman” tropes can be popular, with glasses being symbolic of the lead’s lack of sexual appeal. However, in real life, looks and charm are not mutually exclusive, and the trope may come across as dated and out-of-touch.
Secret Identity
Another popular plotline involves a character pretending to be someone they’re not, often to win someone’s heart. While this may work in film, in real life, dishonesty is rarely the best foundation for any type of relationship.
It’s important to be honest and true to oneself.
Ridiculous Liaisons
Finally, the “rain stops play” cliché involves scenarios such as kissing in the rain, getting stuck in a broken-down elevator, or being rescued from a house fire. While such scenarios can make good, silly movie moments, in real life, romance is often unlikely to blossom under such circumstances.
Conclusion
While rom-coms can be entertaining, they’re not always the best source of relationship advice. So, the next time you’re watching a film with a cliché or two, remember to take them with a grain of salt.
In the real world, relationships can be complicated, nuanced, and full of challenges. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be rewarding and fulfilling in their own right.
In conclusion, romantic comedies may be entertaining, but they should not be taken as the gospel on love and relationships. While they can offer some insight into the human condition and the complexities of romantic interactions, they are often filled with clichés that do not hold up under scrutiny.
In the real world, successful relationships require communication, empathy, and a willingness to work through obstacles. So, the next time you watch a rom-com, take it with a grain of salt, and remember that true love is much more complicated and infinitely more rewarding than anything Hollywood could ever create.
