Are Romantic Comedies Generally Sexist? Are They A Misnomer, Anyway? (1 Viewer)

[rockaction]

Reading a recent LA Weekly piece, I came across a play-by-play of the new Reese Witherspoon movie which had taken it as given that the sort of underground thematic assessment that romantic comedies were sexist was indeed the correct one. 

What always startled me -- indeed, stunned me -- about this argument was that the underground's lament of inherent sexism in romantic comedies was missing the point that these were comedies largely by women and for women. I'm not sure when the backlash against the romantic comedy as sexist started, but at what point did romantic comedies, as a whole get considered sexist? Is this accurate? Why?  

 

[DallasDMac]

Sounds like an issue for the PC people of the world to discuss. I have way more important things to waste my time on. Which means basically anything else I have to.

 

[Quint]

what's wrong with being sexy? 

 

[Boston]

Who are they sexist against...men or women?

 

[rockaction]

Who are they sexist against...men or women?

Women, so goes the argument.  

 

[Boston]

Women, so goes the argument.  

For what reason?  I think of it as a women's revenge...the guys are all wus's in the movies and in a real life a man is forced to spend two hours of his time as a trade-off for watching college football...when I think sexism I do not think of a Hugh Grant movie...

 

[Snickers]

When it comes to romantic comedies, you could do a whole lot worse than Along Came Polly

 

[rockaction]

Because they portray a woman's greatest joy in life as meeting a great guy who saves her from a life of loneliness? I haven't heard this before but that would seem the obvious rationale. 

And I saw Witherspoon interviewed recently and she was talking about her amazing company with 100% female writers, directors and producers. Whatever. Good for her. If there's a market for it, go nuts.  

About that, yes. 

And yes, if there's a market for it, go nuts. But I wonder if these "comedies" will be any "funnier" than the older ones, or if they'll be even worse. Personally, I can just see an hour-and-a-half-long sociopolitical spiel. Ugh.  

 

[wikkidpissah]

I was hoping that Kristen Wiig and Amy Schumer would use their hit films to catapault into it, to write the amicus curiae brief on how women set themselves up to be confused, misused & abused (NOT saying they're the reason for the last two - that's still on we knuckledraggers). I take women very seriously because my dream when i was young that the "lesser" half coming into their own in the Age of Aquarius would unlock free, happy & aware lives for us all and it breaks my heart that they're off to such a bad start half-running the world. But the reason is pathetically simple - almost all of them are still conducting their lives backward in heels. And the hypocrisy & hysteria of their ways is wearing out their partners & ####### up their sons. The right wing didn't invent truthiness - women did.

This is all very serious and, therefore, could be all very hilarious. It's gonna take women taking themselves on to do it, but comedy is usually the first way in on difficult social problems and i look fwd to the first salvo like i do Taylor Swift droppin' a new ####......i mean hit. Please somebody set the romcom free by pointing out how silly it is that all someone who spends 45 minutes putting their face on wants is your honesty. Lawnlord out.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Sounds like an issue for the PC people of the world to discuss. I have way more important things to waste my time on. Which means basically anything else I have to.

Thanks for coming in to post that you have better things to do than post about this. 

 

[El Floppo]

what's wrong with being sexy?

 

[Thorpe]

A lot of them have the male star stalking the female until she agrees to go out with him.

 

[Kal El]

When it comes to romantic comedies, you could do a whole lot worse than Along Came Polly

That was a decent one. I tend to avoid rom coms, mostly because I find them dull.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I'm not sure when the backlash against the romantic comedy as sexist started, but at what point did romantic comedies, as a whole get considered sexist? 

As far as I can tell, the backlash started with your post and and most likely will end when this thread sinks to page 2.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

fwiw: True Romance was good romcom, as was Princess Bride.

 

[TheFanatic]

So basically, people who need reasons to be pissed off and offended have decided laughing at a Rom Com is against the PC By Laws. Good. Now we have that going for us

 

[Boston]

So basically, people who need reasons to be pissed off and offended have decided laughing at a Rom Com is against the PC By Laws. Good. Now we have that going for us

They must wake-up horrified when they don't have something to get pissed about...so instead of going to the gym or shaving their armpits they direct their ire towards When Harry Met Sally...gotta give them credit...they do find ways to keep themselves busy...

 

[wikkidpissah]

I've written two romantic comedies - the musical i'm working on now (in which a female Manhattanite has a Christmas Carol-type dream after a date with a fun, good, bad-fit guy in which she's Alice and her substandard romantic history plays out as Wonderland, ending in a trial where she has to defend herself) and my Irish Annie Hall - Morningside Heights (which El Floppo may or may not have read years ago), a roman a clef about my days as a comedy writer in NYC, where the romantic device was that the lead started a relationship with someone he'd already slept with but didn't remember and the moral fulcrum was stagefright in life & love. I thought it was pretty funny, but famous cousin sent it to CAA and they wouldnt represent it or me. I was scrupulous with each (if Floppo read MH, he can back me up) to view love as a bonus and keep the sexes on a par with each other in attractiveness & decrepitutde. And i'm still here talking with you bums, so that's what the world thinks of my themes and/or talent.

 

[TheFanatic]

They must wake-up horrified when they don't have something to get pissed about...so instead of going to the gym or shaving their armpits they direct their ire towards When Harry Met Sally...gotta give them credit...they do find ways to keep themselves busy...

That's the thing. They can't keep themselves busy. They have so much free time that they just invent drama to be upset about. I wish I had that kind of free time. Nah, I like living in reality and not giving a #### about this kind of crap

 

[El Floppo]

I've written two romantic comedies - the musical i'm working on now (in which a female Manhattanite has a Christmas Carol-type dream after a date with a fun, good, bad-fit guy in which she's Alice and her substandard romantic history plays out as Wonderland, ending in a trial where she has to defend herself) and my Irish Annie Hall - Morningside Heights (which El Floppo may or may not have read years ago), a roman a clef about my days as a comedy writer in NYC, where the romantic device was that the lead started a relationship with someone he'd already slept with but didn't remember and the moral fulcrum was stagefright in life & love. I thought it was pretty funny, but famous cousin sent it to CAA and they wouldnt represent it or me. I was scrupulous with each (if Floppo read MH, he can back me up) to view love as a bonus and keep the sexes on a par with each other in attractiveness & decrepitutde. And i'm still here talking with you bums, so that's what the world thinks of my themes and/or talent.

I remember reading and genuinely liking MH (la floppa- "wtf are reading on your ####### computer for so long?")... but tbh I don't remember MH. I know it was on my laptop that got wrecked in the great fire of 2010... but I might still have it on a backup somewhere. going to look now.

 

[wikkidpissah]

I remember reading and genuinely liking MH (la floppa- "wtf are reading on your ####### computer for so long?")... but tbh I don't remember MH. I know it was on my laptop that got wrecked in the great fire of 2010... but I might still have it on a backup somewhere. going to look now.

the fire was that long ago?!?! where does it all go?

 

[El Floppo]

the fire was that long ago?!?! where does it all go?

no idea. certainly not retained in my memory banks. 

 

[Juxtatarot]

I don't watch many romantic comedies, but that sounds like a fair criticism. Apparently their target audience doesn't mind though.  If/when they do, changes will be made.

 

[rockaction]

As far as I can tell, the backlash started with your post and and most likely will end when this thread sinks to page 2.

No, this has been going on for a while now in film criticism. Sorry that this or my posting offends your sensibilities, lacking however they are in understanding of the criticism du jour.  

 

[El Floppo]

what's wrong with being sexy?

dammit. nothing? 

one of my all time favorite lines and one I always use when confronted with that word.

 

[Hilts]

I don't watch many romantic comedies, but that sounds like a fair criticism. Apparently their target audience doesn't mind though.  If/when they do, changes will be made.

Pretty much. I would have never thought of it but after considering the argument they have a point. Guessing this is part of what has sparked the women hero run in recent films.

There are definitely a lot of isms on screen in our culture. How many black nerds do we generally see? Indians are often typecast. Gay characters are stereotypes. Things are slowly changing but there's definitely some cultural issues on screen. I'm not going to make any of this my fight as I prefer to spend energy elsewhere, but if I look at it honestly I can't think of any reason to deny there probably do need to be some adjustments. 

 

[El Floppo]

I've written two romantic comedies - the musical i'm working on now (in which a female Manhattanite has a Christmas Carol-type dream after a date with a fun, good, bad-fit guy in which she's Alice and her substandard romantic history plays out as Wonderland, ending in a trial where she has to defend herself) and my Irish Annie Hall - Morningside Heights (which El Floppo may or may not have read years ago), a roman a clef about my days as a comedy writer in NYC, where the romantic device was that the lead started a relationship with someone he'd already slept with but didn't remember and the moral fulcrum was stagefright in life & love. I thought it was pretty funny, but famous cousin sent it to CAA and they wouldnt represent it or me. I was scrupulous with each (if Floppo read MH, he can back me up) to view love as a bonus and keep the sexes on a par with each other in attractiveness & decrepitutde. And i'm still here talking with you bums, so that's what the world thinks of my themes and/or talent.

I remember reading and genuinely liking MH (la floppa- "wtf are reading on your ####### computer for so long?")... but tbh I don't remember MH. I know it was on my laptop that got wrecked in the great fire of 2010... but I might still have it on a backup somewhere. going to look now.

"always know your haiti from your hades" and don't forget your hat.

 

[wikkidpissah]

"always know your haiti from your hades" and don't forget your hat.

 that's IT!! *throws Irish wool cap off Skelligmichael to fall to the sea below* Music swells, fade out.  Havent thought about that pig in years....

 

[Ilov80s]

Wait, since when were romantic comedies made by women? 

It Happened One Night: Frank Capra, Robert Riskin

When Harry Met Sally: Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron

Love Actually: Richard Curtis
The Shop Around the Corner: Ernst Lubitsch, Samson Ralpaelson, Miklos Laszlo

Say Anything: Cameron Crowe

Roman Holiday:William Wyler, Dalton Trumbo

Jerry Maguire: Cameron Crowe

Sixteen Candles: John Hughes

As Good As It Gets: James L Brooks

500 Days of Summer: 2 guys I've never heard of 

There's 1 woman involved in those 10 famous romantic comedies of many generations and styles. Men make like 95% of all movies. 

 

[EYLive]

So basically, people who need reasons to be pissed off and offended have decided laughing at a Rom Com is against the PC By Laws. Good. Now we have that going for us

Exactly. The snowflake SJW are expanding their horizons.

 

[Ilov80s]

Also if you've seen the older romantic comedies, they are sexist to the point where it's a bit uncomfortable. The Philadelphia Story starts out with Cary Grant knocking Katherine Hepburn to the ground with an open palm to the face. I believe in It Happened One Night, Claudette Colbert's father tells Clark Gable that what his daughter needs is a good beating every once in awhile to keep her in line. Woman of the Year is a Hepburn-Spencer Tracy romantic comedy where Hepburn plays an internationally famous political writer and Stewart is a sports reporter. They fall in love and get married but Hepburn considers her career more important than being a traditional wife and certainly more important than sports. She regularly blows off Tracy for important political stories, figures, etc. After viewing the ending, the studio didn't like it because they felt it allowed Hepburn to get away unpunished for the way she treated her husband. The studio heads themselves rewrote the last 15 minutes and Hepburn was furious about it. They reshot an ending where Hepburn finally gives up her whole career to be a devoted loving stay at home wife. She tries to make breakfast and do traditional wifely tasks. She fails miserably at them all and gets totally humiliated. 

 

[Ilov80s]

So basically, people who need reasons to be pissed off and offended have decided laughing at a Rom Com is against the PC By Laws. Good. Now we have that going for us

I haven't read the article and won't, but I didn't sense any anger or sense of offense in the OP. Maybe the author of the article is just a writer that is writing about stuff. I can critique something, write a negative review of something, etc. without being angry or offended. Also, if someone gets offended because someone else is offended by something that they don't find offensive, then both people are basically equally sensitive. 

 

[Ilov80s]

These all sound pretty great to watch now for the funny "so wrong" effect.  

They are funny movies all the way around and the outdated views on the sexes do add to it. It Happened One Night is a fantastic movie and well worth watching. It basically invented the romantic comedy and the screwball comedy. First movie to win best picture, director, actor, actress and screenplay. It wouldn't happen again until Silence of the Lambs about 60 years later. I think it's probably the oldest movie to really hold to the point of near any casual movie fan could enjoy it. 

The Philadelphia Story is also fantastic. Grant, Hepburn and Stewart are the pinnacle of classic Hollywood. 

 

[rockaction]

Wait, since when were romantic comedies made by women? 

It Happened One Night: Frank Capra, Robert Riskin

When Harry Met Sally: Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron

Love Actually: Richard Curtis
The Shop Around the Corner: Ernst Lubitsch, Samson Ralpaelson, Miklos Laszlo

Say Anything: Cameron Crowe

Roman Holiday:William Wyler, Dalton Trumbo

Jerry Maguire: Cameron Crowe

Sixteen Candles: John Hughes

As Good As It Gets: James L Brooks

500 Days of Summer: 2 guys I've never heard of 

There's 1 woman involved in those 10 famous romantic comedies of many generations and styles. Men make like 95% of all movies. 

That's a random selection of romantic movies that seems to be self-selecting for the men involved rather than the thematic roles the men and women play. I'm thinking more of When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, etc. Those are the movies I think of when I think of the modern romantic comedy.  

 

[Ilov80s]

That's a random selection of romantic movies that seems to be self-selecting for the men involved rather than the thematic roles the men and women play. I'm thinking more of When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, etc. Those are the movies I think of when I think of the modern romantic comedy.  

When Harry Met Sally was on my list. It was directed by a man. Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail were made by females. You've Got Mail is a remake of the Lubitsch I listed above. Also, do we really think Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally are sexist? What is sexist about them? Both the male and female characters in those movies are in very similar situations and follow similar arcs if I remember correctly. 

 

[Ilov80s]

Pretty Woman: men

Knotting Hill: men

Annie Hall: men

Say Anything: men

Groundhog Day: men

4 Weddings and a Funeral: men

Amelie: men

There's Something about Mary: men

Knocked Up: men

40 Year Old Virgin: men 

Breakfast at Tiffany's: men 

Sweet Home Alabama: men

Silver Linings Playbook: men

Pretty in Pink: men

Moonstruck: men

Most of the famous romantic comedies are written and directed by men. There are a exceptions: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Bridget Jones, Nora Ephron movies. Those are in the massive minority though.

 

[Snickers]

Pretty Woman: men

Knotting Hill: men

Annie Hall: men

Say Anything: men

Groundhog Day: men

4 Weddings and a Funeral: men

Amelie: men

There's Something about Mary: men

Knocked Up: men

40 Year Old Virgin: men 

Breakfast at Tiffany's: men 

Sweet Home Alabama: men

Silver Linings Playbook: men

Pretty in Pink: men

Moonstruck: men

Most of the famous romantic comedies are written and directed by men. There are a exceptions: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Bridget Jones, Nora Ephron movies. Those are in the massive minority though.

A huge % of women are not funny so it makes sense

 

[Ilov80s]

A huge % of women are not funny so it makes sense

There's a lot of unfunny men out there as well. Also very few women had opportunities to make films until rather recently. Ida Lupino, Ruth Gordon and a few others were the rare women allowed to direct or even write films during the golden age of Hollywood and even into the 70s really. Even now film making is a heavily male dominated world. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

So basically, people who need reasons to be pissed off and offended have decided laughing at a Rom Com is against the PC By Laws. Good. Now we have that going for us

You must know some really angry people.  Just like the discussions in the mighty GoT thread - sometimes people just notice things and comment on them - they don't need to be offended and angry at it.    

 

[KarmaPolice]

Wait, True Romance is a rom-com?

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Does Taxi Driver count?

 

[Hilts]

Women can be sexist and partake in stereotypes too.

 

[TheFanatic]

I haven't read the article and won't, but I didn't sense any anger or sense of offense in the OP. Maybe the author of the article is just a writer that is writing about stuff. I can critique something, write a negative review of something, etc. without being angry or offended. Also, if someone gets offended because someone else is offended by something that they don't find offensive, then both people are basically equally sensitive. 

Except I'm not at all offended by someone being outraged by this. Closer to amused and disappointed at the same time. It's funny how easily offended people so quickly project being offended onto others. I have far more important things to deal with in my life than to worry about what gets someone's panties in a bunch over 2 hours of escapism. 

 

[rockaction]

It's okay. I didn't know Ilov80s would Henry Ford the thread and seize on a throwaway part of it (a misplaced word or offhanded comment) and make it the centrality of it. 

For women, by Nora Ephron. 

And what is this about being offended in the OP or not or something? It's just a casual observation I was making about film criticism and feminism's rise within. Nothing big, just something to watch out for when you read your reviews deciding whether whether you should go the movieplex based on some freak from Bard college who is opining about the movie because of zir's views on gender politics.  

 

[rockaction]

But no bitterness. I just wanna pound the freak from Bard college into something a little more gamey.  

 

[Ilov80s]

It's okay. I didn't know Ilov80s would Henry Ford the thread and seize on a throwaway part of it (a misplaced word or offhanded comment) and make it the centrality of it. 

For women, by Nora Ephron. 

And what is this about being offended in the OP or not or something? It's just a casual observation I was making about film criticism and feminism's rise within. Nothing big, just something to watch out for when you read your reviews deciding whether whether you should go the movieplex based on some freak from Bard college who is opining about the movie because of zir's views on gender politics.  

You didn't even post the article to read. We are all guessing as to what the supposed issue even is. 

 

[Ilov80s]

Also Henry Ford does it and gets a million likes and support from his legion. I am against the grain of the FFA here based on reactions.

 

[El Floppo]

Also Henry Ford does it and gets a million likes and support from his legion. I am against the grain of the FFA here based on reactions.

I gave you a like.

and then took it back.