"One of my least favourite storylines from the romcom genre is the "will they, won't they". I find it deeply maddening. From the opening credits you know where it's going. This movie wouldn't be being made about these two people if the outcome was going to be the "won't they". I maintain that the "will they, won't they" hasn't been done well since When Harry Met Sally."
"And let's face it, there's literally nothing that film didn't do well. It managed to sell us several paradoxical and highly unlikely concepts. 1) That Billy Crystal could be a convincing love interest; 2) That maybe a perm would be a good idea and 3) That Bruno Kirby could net Carrie Fisher - no offence to either Crystal or Kirby."
"Maybe it says more about me than the romcom genre in general that I find these formulas irritating. Am I just a soul-dead, heartless, unromantic hater? One of my favourite romcoms ever is about a couple who seem great together, then break up and... stay broken up! I'm talking about the wonderful Celeste And Jesse Forever starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg."
The 'will they, won't they' romcom trope often feels predictable and maddening because the outcome becomes apparent from the opening credits. Such movies assume the central couple will ultimately end up together, making prolonged uncertainty feel manufactured. When Harry Met Sally represents a high-water mark for the trope, successfully selling several unlikely premises, including unconventional casting and odd stylistic choices. Preferences vary among viewers, and some favor romcoms that subvert formulaic beats. Celeste And Jesse Forever offers a refreshing alternative by portraying a couple who break up and remain apart, challenging standard romantic expectations.
Read at Independent
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]