Thursday, February 16, 2012
ScreenCrave.com
Screenwriters and studio executives alike have seemed to run out of ways to tell the boy-meets-girl, or girl-meets-boy, story. Nowadays, all of the rom-coms we hear about are those between Jennifer Aniston and some bounty hunter or Katherine Heigl playing… well, a bounty hunter. With this year’s Valentine’s Day, we decided to put a list together of romantic comedies that don’t fall into the Hollywood cliché. The movies below show that there are still unique ways to tell a love story. Here are 10 Oddball Romantic Comedies for you to check out this Valentine’s Day.
10. Adventureland
- Year: 2009
- Romantic Leads: Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart
Set in the summer of 1987, Adventureland tells the story of a college graduate who is forced to work at a theme park before heading off to grad school in New York. Before he got a job working at games booths, he was sure about his future plans, but when he falls for his co-worker, he learns a real life lesson that changes him. Adventureland may sound like your typical boy-meets-girl story, but it’s the numerous quirky characters that make this romantic comedy stand out.
9. Manhattan Murder Mystery
- Year: 1993
- Romantic Leads: Woody Allen and Diane Keaton
Manhattan Murder Mystery is definitely one of Woody Allen’s most underrated films. Not only is there’s a great cast (not just Mr. Allen and Diane Keaton) including Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston, Joy Behar and even a brief appearance by a very young Zach Braff, but it’s also got the perfect combination of mystery, romance and comedy. This film is Woody Allen’s twisted, satirical version of Double Indemnity where an old married couple, on the verge of divorce, solve a murder mystery and in the process, fall for each other again.
8. Beginners
- Year: 2011
- Romantic Leads: Ewan McGregor and Mélanie Laurent
Among the many, many romantic comedies that hit theaters in 2011, Beginners was one of the few that didn’t suck. It was actually pretty great. This isn’t just a love story between two people (of the opposite sex), but a story about love between family, friends and lovers.
7. Some Like It Hot
- Year: 1959
- Romantic Leads: Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis
Some Like It Hot is one of the best comedies ever, but the reason it’s on this list is because of the story. Sure, there’s been plenty of films where some guy tries to be someone he’s not in order to impress a gal, but none are told in such a hilarious and original manner as this one.
6. Annie Hall
- Year: 1997
- Romantic Leads: Woody Allen and Diane Keaton
Woody Allen gave faith to all self-centered people around the world with Annie Hall. This film shows the relationship between a neurotic stand-up comedian and the ditsy and fashionable Annie Hall. This is one of Allen’s most popular films, not just because it mirrored Woody Allen’s real-life relationship with Diane Keaton, but for its witty dialogue and the outstanding performances.
5. Juno
- Year: 2007
- Romantic Leads: Ellen Page and Michael Cera
Juno will forever be remembered as the teen pregnancy movie that won our hearts in 2007. With its quirky dialogue and sarcastic characters, this movie shows a different side of the teenager. Juno put its writer Diablo Cody on the map, and gave us all new vocabulary words.
4. Chasing Amy
- Year: 1997
- Romantic Leads: Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams
In this highly quotable Kevin Smith romantic comedy, Ben Affleck plays a guy who falls deep for a girl who likes girls. The premise of a guy falling for a lesbian has disaster spelled all over it, but Smith was able to turn this dangerously disastrous idea into a thought-provoking, hilarious conversation about relationships and sexuality. Believe it or not, Ben Affleck actually stars in a good rom-com.
3. Lost In Translation
- Year: 2003
- Romantic Leads: Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson
In 2003 Sofia Coppola directed this quirky film about a married movie star and a lonely newlywed. The film went on to win big awards and big money, thanks to Coppola’s original screenplay and the casting of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as the offbeat couple. These two find comfort in each other during a difficult phase in their lives, and although they are on separate journeys, they are able to share something very special.
2. Harold and Maude
- Year: 1971
- Romantic Leads: Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon
Hal Ashby‘s cult classic tells the story of a truly original relationship between a suicidal 19-year-old boy and a 79-year-old swinger. Thanks to its whimsical tone, Cat Stevens’ soundtrack and unconventional relationship, Harold and Maude is one of the most memorable films out there.
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- Year: 2004
- Romantic Leads: Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind â€" doesn’t that just roll off your tongue? No? Alright, so the title isn’t obvious or short like No Strings Attached or Killers, but this film is anything but. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a cerebral film with an incredibly believable relationship between Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. The two play a couple who try to erase each other from their memories. This film shows the decline of a relationship, or what happens after the credits roll? It is surreal, truly magnificent love story.
That’s our list, do you agree? Which are you favorite quirky romantic comedies?
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