My Favourite Rom Coms
When I want to escape, my usual way of doing this is with a film. I love a good thriller, am a little obsessed with anything Agatha Christie, and will always make time for a good musical, whether it be an old classic like Singin in the Rain, or a new favourite like The Greatest Showman. But for real escapism, with just a touch of romance, I have to opt for a romantic comedy, and if it also happens to be a British romantic comedy like Bridget Jones, so much the better.
Notting Hill
There are a few things that will always pull me in. Anything starring Hugh Grant is usually a thumbs up from me, and anything London based, particularly if it shows the city in a romantic, iconic light that may not be strictly true, but is oh so attractive. This is one of the reasons why I love Notting Hill, which now has it’s own movie tour that takes in all the key locations from the most iconic moments. The Notting Hill Tour takes in the famous bookshop and the market, along with the doorway where Spike (Rhys Ifan) famously appeared in a rather dubious pair of underpants. You also get to find out about the area, which is famous for its carnival and the wonderful Portobello Market.
Sliding Doors
The Notting Hill Tour also takes in another of my favourite rom coms, the very clever Sliding Doors. This is one of those ‘what if’ films, where the opening and closing of a door could totally change a person’s future. Gwyneth Paltrow is just brilliant in this movie, as is the adorable John Hannah, and without wanting to spoil it too much, it really shows how fate can change in a split second, the difference between catching the tube, and just missing it.
Bridget Jones Diary
For fabulous, funny and ultimately uplifting, you have to look at Bridget Jones. Renee Zellweger was just perfect in the role of Helen Fielding’s singleton who was a bit of a walking disaster area, but was wonderfully loveable, and very real, particularly if you have ever indulged in drunken karaoke, or a relationship with the wrong, but still very sexy man.
Hugh Grant was at his devilish best as Daniel Cleaver, and Colin Firth still makes my heart flutter as Mark Darcy, the uptight but oh so handsome barrister who loves Bridget ‘Just as she is.’
La La Land
And, just because love can be bittersweet, and should sometimes come with a health warning, I have to include at least one American film in my list, the incredible La La Land. Watch it for Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, who are just so perfect together, watch it for the songs, and watch it for Emma’s yellow dress.
And cry at that still stunning finale. Sob!
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One Comment
AMWF
A charming movie that will leave you smiling at the end, La La Land is a wonderfully scripted and beautifully shot film that at times feels almost like a misty fantasy world where dreams can and do come true.
Gosling and Stone do very well in their roles though they miss entirely on one key aspect: the dance numbers. It’s more than obvious neither are trained dancers, the numbers coming off a bit staid and flat because of it. But the rest of film more than makes up for it especially when one learns that Gosling learned to play the piano for this role. It’s always incredible to see how filming a scene changes when no one has to hide an actor’s face while they’re performing a complex skill.
My favorite part though is the rather atypical ending. Chazelle somehow manages to make you smile despite it. I won’t say any more for fear of spoilers but it is wonderfully done.
Give this a watch any time you’re looking for a dreamy musical romance. You won’t be disappointed.