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Give Yourself The Gift Of Watching These Classic Rom-Coms This Valentine’s Day
the federalist ^ | February 14, 2021 | Elle Reynolds

Posted on 02/14/2021 1:55:08 PM PST by Kaslin

Whether you're cozied up with your sweetheart or enjoying a girls' night, grab some popcorn (and chocolate) and treat yourself to the classics.


Picking a movie is always a daunting task in my family. My mom and I have had to sit through our fair share of war movies with no discernible plot, while my dad and brother have patiently suffered through “Gone With The Wind.” The beauty of a good rom-com is having enough “rom” to satisfy more sentimental audiences and enough “com” to keep less romantic viewers interested.

As a connoisseur of the “rom,” I can’t guarantee all the movies on this list will please the most macho of audiences, but I can promise they’re quality classics everyone should see at least once.

Father Of The Bride

There is nothing like watching Steve Martin and a hilariously flamboyant Martin Short argue about a front yard full of swans. In this 1991 classic (a remake of the 1950 Elizabeth Taylor movie), Martin plays a practical but loving father who has a hard time coming to terms with his daughter’s marriage—and the fact that he has to pay for it. Short plays the wedding planner brilliantly with an indeterminate but comical accent.

The comedy in this movie—and in its 1995 sequel—is superb. But the film is also a heartwarming reminder of the gifts of family and memory. Especially in a year when pandemic restrictions have forced many to downsize their weddings and other celebrations, “Father of the Bride” reminds us that everyday moments with loved ones are more important than a picture-perfect ceremony. I never watch it without tearing up at the end, and I never watch it without belly laughing.

Father of the Bride trailer 1991

Hitch

This 2005 classic stars Will Smith as a “date doctor,” who helps men learn to pursue women intentionally and creatively. He successfully pairs wealthy, beautiful celebrity Allegra Cole with his kindhearted but stereotypically average client Albert. In his own romantic pursuits, however, he finds his tactics less successful.

Albert and Allegra’s relationship is adorable and heartwarming, but the movie also brings a profound message to an audience steeped in hookup culture.

The art of dating is neither a means to an inevitable one-night stand nor a drab ritual of “hanging out.” Dating shouldn’t be a passive excursion—as Hitch shows us, dating is an opportunity to be authentic but also to put thought and effort into making another person feel interesting.

Hitch (2005) - Trailer

High Society

This musical rom-com is definitely on the effervescent side, but a cast that includes Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and Grace Kelly makes up for any deep intrigue the film might lack. Kelly plays Tracy Lord, a spoiled heiress and the divorced wife of jazz musician C. K. Dexter Haven (played by Crosby), who happens to live next door.

While Lord prepares to marry another man, her ex-husband tries to win her attention, as does a journalist sent to cover the wedding, played by Sinatra. Armstrong and his band grace the whole drama with toe-tapping musical numbers.

Fun fact: this was Kelly’s last film before she left Hollywood to marry real-life Prince Rainier of Monaco, so the whopping 10-carat ring she wears in the movie is her real engagement ring.

The film is a remake of the 1940 movie “The Philadelphia Story,” which has no less impressive of a cast, featuring Katherine Hepburn, James Stewart, and Cary Grant.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: audreyhepburn; bingcrosby; carygrant; charade; fatherofthebride; highsociety; hitch; louisarmstrong; megryan; misscongeniality; romcoms; sandrabullock
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To: jocon307

While You Were Sleeping is a great movie. Charming, funny, great cast.....& not saccharine. Sandra Bullock is delightful.


41 posted on 02/14/2021 5:09:51 PM PST by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
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To: EvilCapitalist
I always liked “So I married an axe murderer.” It’s good for a laugh.

Phil Hartman stole that movie, in that one scene....'This way to the cafeteria!'

42 posted on 02/14/2021 5:13:17 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: leaning conservative; jocon307
While You Were Sleeping is one of our all time favorites too ... one of those rare movies we can see at least once every year and never get tired of.

Also in that category: Family Man, A Walk In The Clouds, Overboard, Sweet Home Alabama, House Sitter, and Frequency. All but Frequency have romance, but its strong affirmation of the importance of family ties far outweighs its status as a crime drama.

Most people consider It's A Wonderful Life as only a "Christmas Movie," but the scene of Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed sharing the phone receiver is one of the sexiest scenes ever filmed without having to show a lot of bare skin.

43 posted on 02/14/2021 5:44:28 PM PST by CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC (Unity? Of course! I pledge to respect your President as much as you respected mine the past 4 years.)
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To: CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC

I like ‘Frequency’ a lot.


44 posted on 02/14/2021 5:54:09 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Jamestown1630

it’s pretty good so far! Notwithstanding directed by Meathead.


45 posted on 02/14/2021 6:46:06 PM PST by Theophilus (Breathe free!)
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To: cdcdawg

My favorite movie with those two is The Three Amigos. I especially love when they all sing the little cowboy song.


46 posted on 02/14/2021 6:47:38 PM PST by Ladysforest (Racism, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia and vulgarity - with just a smattering of threats and violence)
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To: Theophilus

People can have talents beyond their political beliefs.


47 posted on 02/14/2021 6:51:05 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC

I remember reading a revue of It’s A Wonderful Life where the critic said it is the movie where Stewart shows the greatest range of acting in his storied career. The movie wasn’t a big hit on initial release but of course has become part of the American cultural fabric. If one could give retro Oscars Stewart should get one for that movie.


48 posted on 02/14/2021 6:51:08 PM PST by xp38
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To: Jamestown1630

Amen! Thanks for the tip!


49 posted on 02/14/2021 6:57:24 PM PST by Theophilus (Breathe free!)
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To: Theophilus

I was kind of hoping that in the end, he’s become a writer of children’s books. But who knows what’s down that road???


50 posted on 02/14/2021 7:00:52 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: IYAS9YAS
There are ten hot dogs in a pack and eight buns per pack.

This has been the case since the 1940s.

51 posted on 02/14/2021 7:05:40 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (May their path be strewn with Legos, may they step on them with bare feet until they repent. )
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

You can always chop those other two dogs into baked beans, and make a wonderful meal worthy of Pope Frankie.


52 posted on 02/14/2021 7:19:15 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Jamestown1630
But would that not fill the beans with pride? :)

Homemade Beanie Weenies.

Every time my nieces visit I have to make them.

53 posted on 02/14/2021 7:24:34 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (May their path be strewn with Legos, may they step on them with bare feet until they repent. )
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To: cdcdawg

i liked the one with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor, but not the Steve Martin version. Martin Short was hilarious, though.


54 posted on 02/14/2021 7:31:41 PM PST by MayflowerMadam (They HAD to kill somebody for their plan to work. RIP Ashli.)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

Oh, gosh. Pride is a sin...

Beans only, for Frankie, then. We wouldn’t want him to get a swelled-head...


55 posted on 02/14/2021 7:42:53 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC

Oh yes! And the Donna Reed/James Stewart phone scene is pure sex. It’s why a woman in a turtleneck & pearl earrings is so much sexier than a dress slit to the crotch & loads of cleavage.


56 posted on 02/14/2021 7:47:41 PM PST by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
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To: Kaslin

I am now watching The Way We Were. I know there are not many Streisand fans here, but I love this movie & I love the song. Le sigh.....


57 posted on 02/14/2021 7:58:31 PM PST by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
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To: leaning conservative

James Woods is soooo young in this, practically a baby.


58 posted on 02/14/2021 8:03:27 PM PST by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
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To: Kaslin

The original rom-com: Much Ado ABout Nothing. Pretty good rendition played and directed by Kenneth Branaugh in 1993.


59 posted on 02/14/2021 8:11:22 PM PST by Lakeshark (Trump. He stands for the great issues of the day. Stay the course!)
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To: leaning conservative

I grew up absolutely LOVING Streisand. I think I first saw her doing a Central Park concert in the late 1960s.

I remained a fan until she started spouting off about her politics. I lost interest in her, then.


60 posted on 02/14/2021 8:11:39 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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