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My big fat Greek wedding is MY SHIT!!!! It’s so great. Also the best use of the makeover trope. As a curly haired girl is is SO REFRESHING to see her learn how to care for her curls and embrace them rather than just straighten them away! Also she chooses to change to make her own life better for herself not just for a man! Ian is also so dreamy lol 10/10 movie!
Same! I just recently learned how to care for my curly hair, and I really wish that there had been more than like one movie where the "frumpy" frizzy haired girl actually learns to care for her curls and leans into it.
Seeing these clips from the film makes me realise how AWFUL the series became, especially with that train wreck of a third film. But yeah the first one is an all-time classic.
@@xEllieRose it’s funny how people/studios can work so hard to make something great, and when that great thing makes a load of money, they think they don’t need to try anymore and can just make rubbish based on the great thing to make more money.
And that is why it is so kind and decent to promote a scam BetterHelp that is absolutely awful service which was called out by therapists and medical professionals 👍
My spouse let our love bamboo die, and we both crack up about this movie every couple of years. I bought a cheap $5 bamboo from the mall and one by one, the stalks all rotted out. She’s also known as a “black thumb” gardener, where literally everything she tries to coax through its plant existence will almost immediately die, so we knew there was no chance of it surviving anyway… Got to set realistic expectations. ;)
I get it 😂. When my partner and I want more attention we blurt out “YOU HATE ME” or “YOU HATE *whatever action we happen to be doing now*” and then it resets us 😅
I would love to see a video about "he's just not that into you" and "the holiday" talking about the different perspectives of love and the different types of relationships they portray.
My girlfriend introduced me to The Proposal a few months ago telling me she loved it, so we watched it and something that really caught my eye and made the movie so much sweeter for me was the line "Mary me, because i'ld like to date you." Because to me it showed he was aware that to just marry her was a far stretch since they hadn't been connected for that long, so he clarifies that he wants to marry her specifically so she can stay, and then they can date. He wasn't like "Lets get married because you're the love of my life despite only being in love with you for about a week." but instead he was like "I wanna get to know you more and properly date you, but for that I need you to marry me so you can stay." (I hope this makes at least some sense)
Yes, and it shows that with small things in the script, chatacters can show awareness of their behavior, also that they're being a bit delulu and not just being completely delusional while trying to pretend it's normal behavior.
The reason I love “The Proposal” is there is finally a woman who admits that she is comfortable being alone and is scared to be in a relationship. That hugely resonated with me! ❤
Finally? That's almost every female protagonist for the last 2 or 3 decades. At this point it would be refreshing to see a woman to wants to find love and have a family
I feel like you guys missed the BIG but very well hidden bomb in Sweet Home Alabama about "do you think things would have been different if we didn't get pregnant?". I think there is an avenue of how grief effects even long established relationships here
Also in that scene when she says she can’t do this, I always took it as she can’t be vulnerable with him without feeling feelings for him that it makes her want him still.. and she goes to leave but is compelled to kiss him bc despite her not wanting to go there the moment is already there they had to.. he knows too and he gives in bc he still loves her and was in the moment but tells her to go bc he loves her and doesn’t want her to regret something more bc she’s engaged to Andrew.. unlike Noah in the notebook 👀.. idk maybe it’s still toxic but to me it’s still 🥹
Yeah, it's almost like they watched the beginning and the end. If you're paying attention you know there was a pregnancy involved and that initially she wanted him to be successful and have some direction in life. By the time he felt worthy she had a guy, who honestly not too many men would feel they were "better than". It's all there if you watch and listen.
@@Ingmastershadow AND Andrew may be the better guy on paper because he is legit a good man, SHE felt she had to lie to him about her true past and so their relationship was doomed and based on lies from the beginning!
Please discuss The LAST Holiday starring Queen Latifah. I rewatch it every year. It is so beautiful. To this day I want to grow up to be her. And no one ever talks about it! Make that movie go viral because it deserves it. Arguably, it's a film about a woman falling in love with herself and seeing her own worth that was always there, realizing she is enough of a reason to eat the good food, wear the good clothes, etc. But she still finds someone great in LL Cool J's character, because of what a considerate and charming person he is! I would love to see this movie enter the zeitgeist today.
One thing I did enjoy in "The Proposal" was both of them admitting that they were scared to death. That was a moment of actual honesty that really hit for me.
I'm autistic and movies have always been a way to help me to figure people out, I appreciate these videos so much, I'm glad I came across your channel 🥰 Edit to be that person: I had no idea so many people would connect with this comment! And such a lovely bunch of people at that 🥰 Going to shoot my shot of suggesting a video talking about the movie He's Just Not That Into You ❤️
@@rayeregan8114 it's definitely more that it provides a helpful starting point for understanding now, I too had some very warped perceptions of people based on movies -particularly as a teenager. I really am so happy I found these guys because they point out what things people in real life really wouldn't do or are actually awful behaviour lol
"I don't remember Frump Girl, but I remember you." I love Toula and Ian's relationship so much, and how they manage to stay down to earth, despite the antics of Toula's wacky family.
Interesting note about how the movie "Return to Me" is so strong on the issue of consent. The script makes clear that these are two grown adults who basically have ZERO experience in dating. They're not socially awkward, it's just that she had always been too ill, and his late wife was the first and only girl he ever went with as a teenager. So they are very hesitant about going out with someone now, but also they never learned bad habits or took in bad advice about meanness or treating dating as some kind of competition. They just want to find a kind person who they can be equally kind with.
I ADORE Return To Me and rewatch it regularly. Both the leads are so lovely and Bonnie Hunt is a gem. I cry every time I watch the dog waiting at the door. Such an underrated movie!
The Baptism scene in MBFGW is one of my favorites scenes in all romcomdom. Toula: "Any minute now he's going to look at me and go 'right, you're so not worth this'..." Nick: "Yes, you are."
The thing I like most about My Big Fat Greek Wedding is that it eschews the required "they break up for stupid reasons/misunderstanding and then get back together" idiot plot that is SO common in romcoms. The main source of narrative tension is what many of us encounter in real life -- finding a way to merge two families. Everyone wants what is best for the people they care about and is reasonable and kind about it. It's refreshing.
Return to Me also doesn't try to drag out drama through anything meaningless. There is the big "she leaves and he chases after her" moment, but it's done so differently in the movie than most romcoms. He isn't making some big sweeping chase at the last minute at an airport, he shows up like two days late because he had to sort some shit out like a real adult and it *still works.* Most romcoms are... just awful at setting expectations for real-life romance. All drama, no maturity. Sure, adrenaline and passion are great in a film, but they're not really reasonable and you can't base a relationship purely off of passion. It's okay to sit and think for a few days when your entire life has just been turned upside down.
Yes YES to all of these comments. WORD. IT always makes me angry - in books, too - when they break up for some shitty reason and I can't get behind their motivation when they're actually in love. It just feels SO STAGED. In SO MANY movies and books. Wow, up until watching this video I wasn't aware of how much this thing bugs me 😂
This movie was also semi-autobiographical, the husband of the main actress converted in the Greek Orthodox Church in order to marry her. He plays the best friend of Ian in the film
My big fat Greek wedding is my favorite rom com because of Toula’s journey. I feel like most movies would go the route that the girl needs to change her appearance so that people will like her, and changing her appearance gets the guy, like in She’s All That. But because Toula is unhappy with her life, changes her circumstances. She goes back to school, she buys new clothes that make her feel good, pushes herself to meet new people. She does this only to improve the quality of her life. By doing that, she increases her confidence and finally opens herself up to love. I think that is so nice to see that she does all that for herself rather than to please others. Most of the drama comes from her family which is the truth for many families like hers.
Yes! She didn't really change her appearance all that much, mostly a shot of confidence and taking care of herself (FOR herself!! Like you said) And I love the line "I don't remember frump girl but I remember you" because he thought she was cool from the start, even if she didn't realize it yet :)
I missed the 'will fix' at first, so I was looking at 'my magic sex broken boy' like it was a weird spiritual sequel to 'Coin-operated boy' by the Dresden Dolls.
I would add Love and Basketball on your list too. Brown Sugar....idk.. I love it but they absolutely sleep together whiles he's still married and she's engaged lol
@@erikayoung4344 Love & basketball was not that romantic to me. He wasn't that great to her. Playing for his love...eh. They should definitely do an EP about it.
25:19 When my boyfriend and I first got together he was so sweet and did EXACTLY that and asked "Can i hold your hand, can i hug you, would you like to try kissing" etc and it was SO FREAKING SWEET and was way more romantic than just going for it without warning
Yeeess!! With my husband and me, out first kiss was initiated by me asking ”should we go make out?” (Btw i don’t know if that could be interpreted as having sex in english, but in our language it clearly meant just kissing 😂), and he was just like yeah let’s do it. Some people have been weirded out by that, but my husband has said that he thought it was sweet and actually kinda sexy 🥰
@@francesca6301 Awww that’s actually so sweet!! Apparently I was about as subtle as a pregnant hippo with my feelings for my boyfriend so he ended up figuring out I had feelings for him himself and I ended up panicking when he brought it up (bc I assumed it was unrequited) and said “If you don’t feel the same let’s carry on being friends I can restrain my feelings!” And he responded with “that wouldn’t be entirely true” One year later we’re going strong 💪🏻
I loved ‘While You Were Sleeping’, ‘Moonstruck’, and ‘Just Like Heaven’, and rewatch them frequently. I’d love your analysis, and all the comments of course.
The "Bird Cage" with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. I don't think it was a RomCom actually but the relationship between the Goldman's is worth examining I think. Both in the dynamics between the spouses and with their son. I love that movie.
On that note, I was thinking Victor / Victoria too! 😂 The Birdcage is a great choice! I like the musical it was based on even better - La Cage Aux Folles. I was literally just looking up and istening to some songs from that musical YESTERDAY!!! 😮😛 Some of the truly most beautiful, romantic songs ever. If unfamiliar but interested, look up - all are on TH-cam: 1) Song on the Sand - sung by Davis Gaines And the La Cage Aux Folles original soundtrack versions of: 2) Anne on My Arm 3) Look Over There 4) I Am What I Am (not one of the love songs but it's the classic, cheeky, funny, genuinely inspiring opening number / theme song).
“Return to Me” is just amazing. It handles emotions and relationships so well. I wish there were more movies like this. Movies don’t need dysfunction and manipulation to be amazing. Real, honest and open relationships are full of enough drama, humor and connection!!
“Return to Me” is just the ideal rom-com. Nothing toxic, nothing violent, nothing unnecessarily raunchy, sweet characters with a sweet, innocent romance and an absolutely charming supporting cast and a catchy soundtrack.
"I can't do this" is her seeing his sincerity and honest love that she's wanted from him the whole time, is finally here, and it's only when she's choosing another man over him. It may not be his intent to be charming her into considering him again, but that is what's happening. She's with another man now, but she's still in love with this one. "I can't be letting these feeling take over when I've committed to someone else." She knows staying and talking any longer will cement the fact that she's still in love with him. She's saying this to herself. "I can't do this." Kissing afterwards is a familiar chemical reaction with a dusting of feelings after a nice heart to heart talk.
Thank you ! She left because she was scared to dream and grow with someone. And she told herself her life in Alabama wasn’t worth caring about and her husband couldn’t change . The I can’t do this is because she was wrong - all of a sudden she realizes she was wrong - maybe she could have grown with the support of her family and friends and husband instead of being chicken and ditching them all… and now the childhood love that knows her ( unlike the New York sweet man that didn’t now her when he proposed) is showing growth and all the things she wanted but didn’t ask for .. anyway thanks for writing it with clarity - I love that movie because the main characters grow up and let each other grow up
I’m tickled pink that you chose one of my and my husband’s favorite movies-Return to Me-as the healthiest relationship. I could argue that it really isn’t a rom com, though. It’s a romance with some lovely comic themes, but it deals with some pretty serious ideas. It doesn’t minimize the grief and pain of Duchovny’s character. Because it showed that honestly, his walking away to work through that discovery makes sense. Both actors gave it their all. And I agree. Bonnie Hunt needs to direct lots more movies
I agree. I was surprised to see it on this list, because it's definitely not a romcom in my opinion. I haven't watched it since childhood because it broke me so much emotionally. I remember it being a beautiful movie, but it's just tough for me to want to choose to watch a movie that's going to make me cry that much.
It still has lots of comedy though. And the more times you watch it, the more the humor comes out. Like every thing the old men say to each other and Kate and her many children and husband. So maybe a romantic comedic drama? 🤭
In terms of diverse rom coms/romance, I’d love to see you guys do Love and Basketball, Someone Great, and Crazy Rich Asians! There’s also a huge amount of Bollywood movies you could do.
I saw the blurbs for it on netflix, and thought it was going to be another super cheesy saccharine formula "rom-com". So, I didn't watch it. My husband did. He loved it. And then for a 'movie night" (when we go watch movies together at home) we watched it. and watched it a few more times too. I loved it. I thought the relationship side-story of Astrid was good in showing what not to do. (even if sad.) The scene as she walks out on Michael is good as she realizes what she did wrong (hiding her purchases, turning down jobs etc to avoid making him feel bad because her family is rich.) I loved Pek Lin, . . " *you're dating Nick Young?????* "
I really loved Crazy Rich Asians. The books were fun, too. There's another rom com movie that came out in 2018 on Netflix called "Nappily Ever After" about an African American woman that I really enjoyed.
One of my favorite parts about Return to Me is that their dates sometimes include her family, and he's fine with that. They are both mature adults just living their lives, and her family is part of that and they're all just hanging out having a good time.
I absolutely loved everything about this movie. Watched it years ago for Carol O'Connor. He died right after it was made. It should have gotten so many more views, and was advertised a lot around him being in it. I enjoyed it a lot then, and so much more now. When these guys got to reviewing that, stopped before the end of their review and watched it right away. What I love about it even more now is how wholesome it is. You never see romantic movies or pretty much any movie where they date in the old fashioned way. Actually get to know each other, kiss and hold hands, interact w/ family and friends, and don't jump right in bed. They actually get to know one another and fall in love the honest way. Almost ironic that a woman directed this. She threw away that cheesy formula I hate so much.
Life is a plot contrivance. But yeah, despite it being unrealistic, it's reasonably unrealistic, but that's how life is sometimes. The chances of it happening are slim, but not so slim that it's impossible to believe. Knowing it actually happened (though obviously not exactly this way; they came close to meeting several times in the movie before they actually did and of course movies never tell an accurate story of true events no matter what because it's just not as interesting) makes the film's plot more... well, believable. Not that I needed it.
I love My Big Fat Greek Wedding. When I showed it to my husband whose family is Turkish, he was angry about how much he liked it! "This reminds me of my family way too much." 😂
As someone who spent 6 years studying and working with Turks, I can totally see why he had that reaction 😅😅😅 PS I love Turks and Greeks (don’t tell your husband I used those two in the same sentence hahaha)
@@KsyuSmith According to my husband, the only ones who hate Turks more than Greeks... are other Turks. XD It cracks me up how similar the two cultures are, but they will never admit it!
I’m not a rom com person, but a couple weeks ago I was sick with Covid and watched Return to Me because it was free on TH-cam. I was so surprised at how genuinely heartwarming and sweet that movie was.
@@kaylahensley1581 I will die on this hill that it does. The way sean tracks her all the way across the world to spend her last days with her D': Devastatingly romantic
@@kaylahensley1581 The love interest is a bit shoe horned in there, and if he were removed, it'd still be a great movie. She learns to love herself and life?
I completely relate to "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." My husband has no cousins, while I have 24 first cousins, and that's just one side of my family. I come from a very large, Mexican family. What has made us work well is not only that my husband is chill like Ian, but he is willing to learn how to best support me with the dynamics of my family. He is humble enough to change and grow in empathy involving family situations he has not experienced before. He is a huge advocate for not just my feelings, but also for my family's. Just as Ian encourages Tula not to elope, my husband has never pit me against my family even when it's tough. That has been so important because I really love my quirky large family. I love my husband so much! 💕
Whoever made and sent you the “My magic sex will fix broken boy” poster to the side of Alan is my hero. That deserves to be in the Met. The Louvre. The Sistine Chapel. It is actual art and the creator deserves acknowledgement, praise, and accolades worthy of only the finest artists. I will accept no other options.
Return to Me is a movie I have watched many times. The whole movie is so well done and the supporting characters are wonderful. I’m really glad you covered it.
If you do a part two to this, PLEASE include the Ugly Truth, the Wedding Planner, or 27 Dresses! I'd love to hear your opinions on some of these (dumpster fire) relationships in film 😂. Love your channel!
Yes, please, that would be perfect. The only person you really felt sorry for in "Wedding Planner" was Bridgette Wilson, the fiancée, who had her future husband lie to her and emotionally cheat on her with their wedding planner.
Both Andie and Ben started the relationship under false pretenses, him for money, and her for creative integrity. They both get hypocritically angry at the other for lying, only to later decide that they're meant to be together after all. At this rate, they deserve each other!
I also super dislike the fact that she finally gets some guts and leaves for another workplace where she can write what she's always been wanting to, aaaaaannnnndddd, she gives it all up for a guy she met 2 weeks ago 🙄 Always hated the ending even as a kid. If they wanted their dramatic ending of running after her, they should’ve had him giving his job frankly, not telling her to give up her dream. OR him running to her to tell her he found an even better job for her so she can follow her dream in the same city.
I just thought about how Alan and Jono are slowly healing my father wound. The world needs more men like you! Thank you for being just the way you are 💛
Honestly, Jono reminds me so much of my dad. My dad was the sweetest, nicest man ever. He taught school for 40 years and at his funeral, students of his of all ages, came up to me to tell me how great he was and how he made their lives better. Grown adults with their own kids now told me my dad made a difference in their lives. Everyone needs someone like that in their lives and we all need to try to be that person for others. I'm so glad that they can model that for you. Big hugs.
They both have a lot in common with my Dad, and it just makes these videos more enjoyable! I was very lucky in being brought up by parents who had no hesitation in both telling me when something I was told or said was shitty and in being willing to throw down in my defence.
@@eshbena Thank you for saying that about your dad! i'm a special education teacher. I just (today) re-retired so I could have more time to spend with my 1-year old grandson. But I have loved being a teacher since 2002. My daughter has had some of my grown students and their parents tell her I made a difference to them, and I have had students of hers or their parents do the same to me! My daughter was an ABA therapist for many years for non-verbal 2 year olds on the spectrum. .
Have you seen The Birdcage? It's an older one but a classic!! Or seen the TV show Schitt's Creek? I know that's not a movie but the relationship arc ( no spoilers) is the most beautiful one I have seen in any media!!
I do hate that Scott went for the sister first and then went back to her for a while. It makes me soo angry 😅 but I love that movie. I love queen Latifah
Please do the Parent Trap (Lindsey Lohan version)!!! Im curious about your thoughts on the divorce, marriage, Meredith, kids, the whole idea of splitting your kids up(!), etc!!
Some other LGBTQ films are Shelter and Big Eden. The dialogue in Shelter isn’t great, but I think the storyline is still interesting and I remember Big Eden actually being pretty good.
50 first dates is my favorite romance movie (and my husband’s favorite) of all time. Please please do an episode on that one! It’s so funny, sweet, and genuinely heartwarming. For therapy purposes I’d like y’all to explore the dad/Henry’s relationship and the grieving father swallowing his pride and allow Henry to show him a better outcome/life for his daughter. I just love how respectful, patient, and caring the main character is.
Great film. This was one of my first introductions to LGBT+ relationships and I think it really helped me be more understanding towards other people who I otherwise wouldn't have understood (as I'm a cis straight woman).
Black Romcoms and dramedies: Love & Basketball, The Best Man, The Wood, Two Can Play That Game (Please do this one and discuss the 'playbook' of Vivica Fox's character) also the various relationship dynamics in Think Like a Man! Also, Love Don’t Cost a Thing!
I hope they notice this thread. Yes, they could cover so many great aspects. I loved the Christian aspect of this too. Faith in times of grief, loss, hope and just every day life. I also loved the aspect of her, even though she is beautiful, felt less than or like she might not meet someone, because of her surgery. I think so many of us can relate to that, for different reasons.
I love it when great, but under rated, or underperforming movies get a plug like this. "Return to Me" is one of my favorite Rom-Coms for all the reasons you stated, plus you get the feeling that everyone in it could be a real person, and someone I would like to know. That's from the grand father, to the leads, to the Italian "uncle", to the best friend in Helen Hunt and her hubby Jim Belushi. It is a heart warming, at times funny, but very real movie that I love. Thanks guys.
Honestly SUPER HAPPY that "Return to Me" is #1 because this is my favorite rom-com of all time. I love seeing people finally talking about this film because it's SO GOOD!!
Right... I originally watched it back in the day because I was a David Duchovny fan but it turned out to be a great film overall that I never hear ANYONE talk about.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of the very, very few rom coms that I actually just adore. Everyone in it is fantastic. John Corbett slays. "What do you mean, you don't eat no meat?! It's okay, I'll make lamb." As an aside, everyone is in love with Catherine Hahn. Don't feel bad. And I do remember a lot of my romances being based off of the question "would it be alright if I kissed you?"
Sweet Home Alabama-what they did not even give enough detail on was tat they got married(during high school?) because she was pregnant, she miscarried then left as they were both horribly traumatized by it and couldn't stand being around each other. Then he sees how successful she is becoming in NYC (on a trip he kept secret) and decided it was time to improve his immature self in order (to him) be worthy of her and the stupid drama detail of refusing to sign the divorce papers was how he got her back to her hometown to show her.
THANK YOU! Also, she was lying the whole time to Andrew. She was pretending to be someone she was not; she didn't tell him about her upbringing, about her time as a teenager, about her friends, about her boyfriend/husband, about her pregnancy and miscarriage. Yeah, Jake and her were nasty to each other, because they were both hurt and not able to communicate about their feelings, about their disappointments, about their loss. And yeah, maybe they were not the right fit, but the movie was not about their relationship, it was about them failing to communicate with each other and finding their way back to talking to each other about the stuff that matters and then their decision to give it another shot. I think it's difficult to compare some of those films because they were just in such different stages of their relationships
Always Be My Maybe is an Asian Rom-Com and is actually pretty mature. How Stella Got Her Groove Back? I mean there are plenty of Korean Dramas, but they also have some... interesting laws as well. The Rom-Com "My Girlfriend is an Agent" from Korea is the original Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
From a similar time, I'd love to see you cover My Best Friend's Wedding! It has always stuck out in my memory for being the one otherwise-cliche rom com where the female lead does *not* get the man of her dreams at the end. Love the ending sentiment of the movie that you still have to live life despite not always having your dreams come true/getting who you want, and you could talk about accepting someone's no.
In the movie my best friends wedding I believe all 3 characters are terrible. They all lie and manipulate. If I had a man with a pick me girl "friend" it would be a big fat red flag..he would have to give her up. The constant sabotage of your relationship to pick her (just so she could win) would ruin my marriage otherwise..
Since you asked for some more diverse rom coms, here's a couple of my favs: 1. Always Be My Maybe 2. The Lovebirds 3. Crazy Rich Asians 4. The Big Sick 5. The Half of It Hope we can hear you break down some of these, and love your channel!
The Big Sick is fantastic AND it is a multi-racial romance, includes respectful realities of loving someone with a severe illness, and it's based on their real lives ❤️ Great suggestion!
I like how My Big Fat Greek Wedding highlighted married couples who fall in love regardless of major cultural differences. I reminds me of my own parent’s story. My dad a Irish American boy and my mom a Filipino immigrant. Her family is exactly like Toula’s family in that movie.
Something just always clicked with me in "The Proposal" when she is realizing how wonderful of a family he has and that she will ruin this all and feels guilty. The scene in the barn and the scene with her clinging to the boyue (is it called that?) in the water are just so extremely well acted.
@@animeotaku307 Yeah these two made it really funny to watch, also I enjoy characters who are being assholes, but deep down they actually have a kind heart.
A fun ranking show might be ranking the couples in "He's just not that into you" dir Ken Kwapis. Its an ensemble with an insane cast, and has "when Harry Met Sally" vignettes on it.
I ADORE Return to Me, I used to watch it with my mom growing up and it's a big comfort movie when I'm heartsick. The way they're both just so genuine and respectful and their conflict is so realistic (even if the premise isn't really) but they work through things so well, it's everything I've ever wanted for myself. If you want some POC romcoms How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Crazy Rich Asians, The Big Sick, Love and Basketball, Always Be My Maybe, Love Jones, Last Holiday, and Fools Rush In are all bangers imo!
I was scrolling through Tubi while watching this trying to find something to watch after. While you were talking about Return to Me what do come across? Return to Me! Must be a sign. Time for a rewatch.
Return To Me has been a top tier movie for my wife and I since she first showed it to me while we were dating back in 2006. Still amazing and holds a special place for me.
The thing with Sweet Home Alabama, and they touch on it closer to the end of the movie, was he went to New York after she left and thought about trying to win her back, but realized he needed to make something more of his life for her. At the time they split up he was working at a tire factory and he wanted to give her the life he knew she wanted and that he felt she deserved. They had also just gone through a super painful tragedy in their marriage (miscarriage) and didn't handle the feelings of that loss well. I've seen that movie like 1000 times and it's one of my favorites.
@@PittsburghSportsFan43 It's a fun drama contrivance, for sure, but I'd still rank it pretty low in terms of real-life relationships, because he could've communicated what he was doing at any point instead of waiting for years to tell her and then being passive-aggressive about her wanting a divorce when he's given her no indication that he still wants to be with her. Again, no shade if you love it - relationships don't have to be healthy for a movie to be enjoyable.
@@rizahawkeyepierce1380 He could've communicated? He's a guy. Guys don't communicate. You're lucky if they understand words at all. That was totally real-life. He was trying to his best to be able to win her back into his life, then she comes in and blows everything up with an attitude, and supposed to explain everything without reacting when she's reacting all over the place? This was totally real-life behavior for him. She was the one who was out there and lost it.
7:18 I think something that came out to me in this moment was that when she said “I can’t do this” is because THIS is the guy she needed in their marriage before she took off for New York. She knows she has a great man that she’s about to marry, but seeing this guy from her past being this way Now.. it’s making her feel emotionally vulnerable, and she’s trying to put a wall up to keep him at bay because the girl she was in her past is finally seeing the guy she needed him to be manifested. Regardless of the timing of it all, that’s going to throw her into a very complicated head space, which is why she ends up kissing him. I can relate so well, seeing as the guy I thought I was going to end up with and I experiencing a heartbreaking miscarriage that “we” didn’t survive because he closed up and distanced himself from me when I needed him to comfort and just be there with me through that horrible grief together. We broke up later, he ended his life years later, and I know that had there been a moment between us that he was able to address and mend that rift caused from that moment, no matter if I was with someone else or not, I would have most likely reacted similarly to how Reese did.
I've never felt so validated in my life! Return to Me is my all-time favorite romantic comedy. Bonnie Hunt is such a subtle comedic writer, director AND actress and I don't feel like she gets the attention and kudos that she deserves. What I love about Return to Me is that it's extremely romantic, however, it's not completely over blown with sex, nudity and profanity. I even thought that the older side characters were hilarious- I love how they bickered about whose ethnicity was the best- not to mention the relationship that Bonnie Hunt's character had with her own husband. The background music filled with classic Sinatra and Dean Martin just added to the charm of the film. I can't recommend this movie enough and I hope that everyone that has seen this Vlog takes the time to watch this movie.❤❤❤❤
One of the better ones is Fever Pitch (2005). They meet, they hit it off, they get to know each other, they find there is a major lifestyle conflict, they each separately realize that their relationship means so much that they're willing to work past it. "If you love me enough to give up your season tickets, I love you enough not to let you." The fact that their reconciliation also breaks the Curse of the Bambino is just a bonus.
My bff and I adored Return To Me when we were teenagers - I wasn't a big romcom lover, but that one was at the top of the list. I can't express how happy I was to rewatch it and find that it was just as heartfelt and authentic as I remembered... I'm so glad it's getting the love from you too
I think a film I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts on is Mississippi Masala which is a 90s rom-com/dramedy about an interracial romance between an Indian woman and a Black man. But it’s also about displacement and generational trauma, and I feel like is a really good example of a film that does representation right while telling a very meaningful story. Love your videos!
Please consider Mississippi Masala. It was a really important film for a lot of us with South Asian heritage and one of the few representations of us on screen when it released in 1991.
Ah! You did two of my absolute favorites! I'm not a huge fan of romcoms, but My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Return to Me are some of the few that I truly enjoy.
Black romcom, ensemble movie: The Best Man A movie with a problematic couple heavily discussed in our community: Love Jones One of our favorite black romcoms: Love and Basketball
Return to Me is one of my favorite movies of all time, not only because you have the three stooges playing bowling ball, but also because the couple is actually nice to each other. I definitely put this in my number one spot of greatest rom-com of all time.
It’s not fair to say Jake wouldn’t sign the divorce papers just because he was still in love with her. He followed her to NYC and realized he was just a small town guy. He drug his feet because he was trying to get his glass business off the ground and prove to Mel that he’s not just a loser. Also, exactly Mel “can’t do this”= be emotional with you because it’s making me feel things for you again.
"I can't do this" can also refer to her not being able to talk to him about her possible wedding to Andrew because she needs time to figure it out. He lingers, she lingers, they kiss, and he sends her away, and in every scene after that she is trying to deal with him closing that possibility, even though she clearly wants the opposite now that they're finally talking.
Yesss. I was so frustrated when they were talking about the “can’t do this” line. I’ve always interpreted it as he’s not sincere when he says he’s happy for her. He’s saying it as a cover for what he really feels, which is that he wishes she would stay and be his wife. But she sees right through it.
Yes!!!!! They never really lost feelings for each other. They got married young because she was pregnant. When the miscarriage or stillbirth happened she was distraut, he was probably being unavailable too since that has to be an intense loss. She needed more/a distraction and he couldn't provide so she left to New York trying to forget. He realized that she was gone, partly his fault too, so he followed her and took in that he couldn't compete with this grand city. Still wanting his first love he decides to build up himself so someday he could prove himself. It took 7 years unfortunately. She found another guy who was (Mc-Freaking-Dreamy) and thought she finally had her do-over that she needed to finally heal. When she went back to Alabama she had her guard up because she needed that divorce to move on. He was upset because she is with someone else. They can't communicate because all the past and current hurt getting in the way. When she actually talks to him that night she confirms her feelings for him never left, and he realized she's going whether or not he wants. He let's her go she knows what he's doing and her mind starts to change. They finally end up together because the other is who they wanted and needed the entire time. Sorry about the Ted talk that's just how I've always interpreted it.
"Return to Me" has been one of my most favorite movies since it was released and I saw it in the theatre. The leads are so likable and sweet, the side characters are AMAZING, and the sound track is perfect. I love it from top to bottom!!
Hi, there. I am a caucasian woman, but I would recommend you consider the movie "Love & Basketball" (2000) as the topic for one of your next couple videos. There you can see the relationship between the two main characters grow and change as they go from their childhood to their adult years.
I would LOVE more recommendations for movies to watch with good relationships. My therapist and I always talk about how I got so many lessons growing up from media and how damaging they can be. But then good media has so much power in that respect
I can recommend a book, MISTAKEN IDENTITY by Vivian Perez. It feels like MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING mixed with FROZEN. I like it, because every time one of the characters, Hunter, starts behaving like a jerk, he listens, he stops, he apologizes and communicates his feelings better. When the grandfather says to the girl that Hunter is a clown, but he is okay, it hit me hard. It reminded me when I was a child, when one of my neighbors was getting married. I heard her mother saying that she was marrying a "clown" but at least he was trying his best. They were together for decades until he died.
@kazza6078 I feel this!! I have been through so much horrible relationships or things that luckily didn't turn into relationships before I met my husband and I remember watching all these silly movies when I was a kid and growing up. But then again, I'll admit that the friends that I watched the movies with did, in contrast to me, end up in healthy relationships that last up until today. Sooooo... I guess Jono has a point about being able to enjoy these kinds of movies while not taking them for real advice. I never could. I'd always seek out the drama. That never had a happy end in real life :') Anyways, wish you all the best for your own therapy and journey towards healthy relationships.
Black/Interracial Rom Coms - Think Like A Man; The Lovebirds (Hilarious); Malcolm and Marie; The Photograph; Why Did I Get Married; Guess Who; The Best Man; Last Holiday; Deliver Us from Eva; How Stella Hot Her Groove Back; Our Family Wedding; Just Wright; Two Can Play That Game; Brown Sugar; Jumping the Broom; Really Love (romantic); Love Jones etc. Some of these are certified black culture classics! Would love to hear your takes 🫂🤍 thanks for watching and loving movies
The way I kicked my feet when Return to Me was number 1-I’ve also ADORED that movie since I was a kid! I especially agree that the supporting characters really make that movie, and add to the depth of the story. She’s surrounded by such good people that he not only falls in love with her, but is coaxed back to life by getting to know her friends and family. It really hammers home the value of community as the context for relationship. Plus, the bottled water scene is simply an all-time fav. 😂
Yes! It's sort of like the "While You Were Sleeping" fact that she's alone and she falls in love not just with Jack, but with his entire family. Community can actually help a relationship if it's a caring, supportive family or group of people surrounding the couple in some way.
If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/cinematherapy for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy with a licensed professional specific to your needs.
2 weeks ago?!
Dang I can't watch the episode now 😔 and I was so excited to
It’s so disheartening to know you guys will take money from anywhere. I guess I’m not gonna watch this episode either.
Better help is in ALOT of scandal, I would suggest you better stop sponsoring them
Betterhelp are still mired in controversy for not vetting their therapists (As well as selling customer data)
My big fat Greek wedding is MY SHIT!!!! It’s so great. Also the best use of the makeover trope. As a curly haired girl is is SO REFRESHING to see her learn how to care for her curls and embrace them rather than just straighten them away! Also she chooses to change to make her own life better for herself not just for a man! Ian is also so dreamy lol 10/10 movie!
Same! I just recently learned how to care for my curly hair, and I really wish that there had been more than like one movie where the "frumpy" frizzy haired girl actually learns to care for her curls and leans into it.
Yes! She just becomes a more elevated version of herself instead of turning into a whole different person 🎉
Seeing these clips from the film makes me realise how AWFUL the series became, especially with that train wreck of a third film. But yeah the first one is an all-time classic.
@@alexp601yeah the second and third definitely did not recreate the magic the first did
@@xEllieRose it’s funny how people/studios can work so hard to make something great, and when that great thing makes a load of money, they think they don’t need to try anymore and can just make rubbish based on the great thing to make more money.
"Can we model kindness and decency more?" YES PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS ASDFGHJKL
I second this 🙋🏽♀️😂
Bros mom hit him with the keyboard
And that is why it is so kind and decent to promote a scam BetterHelp that is absolutely awful service which was called out by therapists and medical professionals 👍
Plus a million!
Ikrrrrr! That seriously needs to be a much more common thing than it is.
Whenever my wife isn't feeling loved she quotes how to lose a guy by yelling "YOU LET OUR LOVE FERN DIE" and it resets us
omg i love that!
Ahahaha this is amazing 👏
This sounds like you two know each other so well you understand what you're each saying even though they're with different words.
My spouse let our love bamboo die, and we both crack up about this movie every couple of years.
I bought a cheap $5 bamboo from the mall and one by one, the stalks all rotted out. She’s also known as a “black thumb” gardener, where literally everything she tries to coax through its plant existence will almost immediately die, so we knew there was no chance of it surviving anyway… Got to set realistic expectations. ;)
I get it 😂. When my partner and I want more attention we blurt out “YOU HATE ME” or “YOU HATE *whatever action we happen to be doing now*” and then it resets us 😅
I would love to see a video about "he's just not that into you" and "the holiday" talking about the different perspectives of love and the different types of relationships they portray.
'Get Over It' would be an interesting one too in my opinion.
I want The Notebook!
@@fidyldounmccree I think they already did one video about the notebook
YES
My girlfriend introduced me to The Proposal a few months ago telling me she loved it, so we watched it and something that really caught my eye and made the movie so much sweeter for me was the line "Mary me, because i'ld like to date you." Because to me it showed he was aware that to just marry her was a far stretch since they hadn't been connected for that long, so he clarifies that he wants to marry her specifically so she can stay, and then they can date. He wasn't like "Lets get married because you're the love of my life despite only being in love with you for about a week." but instead he was like "I wanna get to know you more and properly date you, but for that I need you to marry me so you can stay." (I hope this makes at least some sense)
Plus it's both sweet and hilarious.
Yes, and it shows that with small things in the script, chatacters can show awareness of their behavior, also that they're being a bit delulu and not just being completely delusional while trying to pretend it's normal behavior.
@@inmay4446 Exactly👏
What a terrible movie . What a terrible line. I am sorry very sorry
@@jmurdock8303 Its ok, not everyone is going to agree or like this movie and that's fine :)
The reason I love “The Proposal” is there is finally a woman who admits that she is comfortable being alone and is scared to be in a relationship. That hugely resonated with me! ❤
YES
and then she changed her mind after 3 days. really dumb script
I would love Ryan Reynolds insulting me. I live for sarcasm.
Finally? That's almost every female protagonist for the last 2 or 3 decades. At this point it would be refreshing to see a woman to wants to find love and have a family
Runaway bride did it better in my opinion
Has anyone else noticed the hilarious Twilight poster behind Alan? It says, "My magic sex will fix Broken Boy." 😂😂😂
It's a quote from Alan from one of the Twilight episodes. One of our editors made the poster for him. 😂
Oh my lanta what the heck! 😂
@@CinemaTherapyShow Oh my gosh that makes it even better!
Heheheheeeeeeeeee.
I noticed. I also find the constantly changing posters distracting as heck. 🤣
I feel like you guys missed the BIG but very well hidden bomb in Sweet Home Alabama about "do you think things would have been different if we didn't get pregnant?". I think there is an avenue of how grief effects even long established relationships here
Yes! This is what I thought too
Also in that scene when she says she can’t do this, I always took it as she can’t be vulnerable with him without feeling feelings for him that it makes her want him still.. and she goes to leave but is compelled to kiss him bc despite her not wanting to go there the moment is already there they had to.. he knows too and he gives in bc he still loves her and was in the moment but tells her to go bc he loves her and doesn’t want her to regret something more bc she’s engaged to Andrew.. unlike Noah in the notebook 👀.. idk maybe it’s still toxic but to me it’s still 🥹
Yeah, it's almost like they watched the beginning and the end. If you're paying attention you know there was a pregnancy involved and that initially she wanted him to be successful and have some direction in life. By the time he felt worthy she had a guy, who honestly not too many men would feel they were "better than". It's all there if you watch and listen.
@@Ingmastershadow AND Andrew may be the better guy on paper because he is legit a good man, SHE felt she had to lie to him about her true past and so their relationship was doomed and based on lies from the beginning!
@@KelKelray25Agreed! Andrew deserved better honestly
“Falling in love is a beautiful thing. Staying in love is a difficult thing.” Brilliant and so true.
Please discuss The LAST Holiday starring Queen Latifah. I rewatch it every year. It is so beautiful. To this day I want to grow up to be her. And no one ever talks about it! Make that movie go viral because it deserves it. Arguably, it's a film about a woman falling in love with herself and seeing her own worth that was always there, realizing she is enough of a reason to eat the good food, wear the good clothes, etc. But she still finds someone great in LL Cool J's character, because of what a considerate and charming person he is! I would love to see this movie enter the zeitgeist today.
YES!!! I love this movie! Seconded! Would love a CT ep about the Last Holiday!
I love this movie! We watch it every holiday season!
Omg! SUCH a great movie!! 🥰🥰
Yes! I just watched this movie for the first time in years, and I forgot how much I loved it until now!
Loooove last holiday. Watch it every year! I even have the dvd with the recipe extras 😂😂
One thing I did enjoy in "The Proposal" was both of them admitting that they were scared to death. That was a moment of actual honesty that really hit for me.
I love when I find other people who love Return to Me as much as I do. It’s SO damn good. I never get tired of rewatching.
Not me crying real tears from the ONE clip they showed. It's such a good movie. I could rewatch and rewatch too.
DITTO!! The Grandpa Gang and Joe are such amazing supporting characters that feel real. I want to hang with these people and eat Angelo’s food.
@@LaneyPorter2008totally! The supporting characters are so great. Amazing writing.
@@jellogirl2010I cry at that scene every time. 😭
It’s one of my top favorite movies ever!
I'm autistic and movies have always been a way to help me to figure people out, I appreciate these videos so much, I'm glad I came across your channel 🥰
Edit to be that person: I had no idea so many people would connect with this comment! And such a lovely bunch of people at that 🥰 Going to shoot my shot of suggesting a video talking about the movie He's Just Not That Into You ❤️
:)
Looking back this has been true for me and why I had such bad ideas about what relationships looked like.
@@rayeregan8114 it's definitely more that it provides a helpful starting point for understanding now, I too had some very warped perceptions of people based on movies -particularly as a teenager. I really am so happy I found these guys because they point out what things people in real life really wouldn't do or are actually awful behaviour lol
I can relate as a fellow Autistic person
That's so sweet, I also use rom coms as a similar guide, and this channel has helped me recognise toxic relationships.
"I don't remember Frump Girl, but I remember you." I love Toula and Ian's relationship so much, and how they manage to stay down to earth, despite the antics of Toula's wacky family.
Such a great line. The sincerity he says it with makes it play even better. I love that movie.
I think this is a great example of how their quirky humor draws them together from the get go. ❤
How were they wacky?
That line might be the most romantic line I've ever heard in a rom com.
Listening to the commentary over the movie is worth it for this one. They are so adorable as friends behind the scenes as well.
Interesting note about how the movie "Return to Me" is so strong on the issue of consent. The script makes clear that these are two grown adults who basically have ZERO experience in dating. They're not socially awkward, it's just that she had always been too ill, and his late wife was the first and only girl he ever went with as a teenager. So they are very hesitant about going out with someone now, but also they never learned bad habits or took in bad advice about meanness or treating dating as some kind of competition. They just want to find a kind person who they can be equally kind with.
Very well said. I adore this movie and watch it with my wife a couple times each year.
It's such a fantastic movie!
I ADORE Return To Me and rewatch it regularly. Both the leads are so lovely and Bonnie Hunt is a gem. I cry every time I watch the dog waiting at the door. Such an underrated movie!
"She's not coming back"
Me, ugly crying in the corner 😭
The Baptism scene in MBFGW is one of my favorites scenes in all romcomdom.
Toula: "Any minute now he's going to look at me and go 'right, you're so not worth this'..."
Nick: "Yes, you are."
Nick's sweet little moments in that movie are so touching 🥺
Really nice sibling moment
He’s such a good brother 🥹
The thing I like most about My Big Fat Greek Wedding is that it eschews the required "they break up for stupid reasons/misunderstanding and then get back together" idiot plot that is SO common in romcoms. The main source of narrative tension is what many of us encounter in real life -- finding a way to merge two families. Everyone wants what is best for the people they care about and is reasonable and kind about it. It's refreshing.
YES!!! This!!! 👏🏻🎉
Return to Me also doesn't try to drag out drama through anything meaningless. There is the big "she leaves and he chases after her" moment, but it's done so differently in the movie than most romcoms. He isn't making some big sweeping chase at the last minute at an airport, he shows up like two days late because he had to sort some shit out like a real adult and it *still works.*
Most romcoms are... just awful at setting expectations for real-life romance. All drama, no maturity. Sure, adrenaline and passion are great in a film, but they're not really reasonable and you can't base a relationship purely off of passion. It's okay to sit and think for a few days when your entire life has just been turned upside down.
Yes YES to all of these comments. WORD. IT always makes me angry - in books, too - when they break up for some shitty reason and I can't get behind their motivation when they're actually in love. It just feels SO STAGED. In SO MANY movies and books. Wow, up until watching this video I wasn't aware of how much this thing bugs me 😂
This movie was also semi-autobiographical, the husband of the main actress converted in the Greek Orthodox Church in order to marry her. He plays the best friend of Ian in the film
My big fat Greek wedding is my favorite rom com because of Toula’s journey. I feel like most movies would go the route that the girl needs to change her appearance so that people will like her, and changing her appearance gets the guy, like in She’s All That. But because Toula is unhappy with her life, changes her circumstances. She goes back to school, she buys new clothes that make her feel good, pushes herself to meet new people. She does this only to improve the quality of her life. By doing that, she increases her confidence and finally opens herself up to love. I think that is so nice to see that she does all that for herself rather than to please others. Most of the drama comes from her family which is the truth for many families like hers.
Yes! She didn't really change her appearance all that much, mostly a shot of confidence and taking care of herself (FOR herself!! Like you said) And I love the line "I don't remember frump girl but I remember you" because he thought she was cool from the start, even if she didn't realize it yet :)
I love this!
Return to Me!! I never see people talk about this movie, it made me so happy to see it in your list. It’s underrated and really, really special.
Totally agree!
Gotta appreciate the my magic sex will fix broken boy poster
This comment just NEEDS to be highly liked !
Omg yes, I noticed it like mid-video. Priceless.
I did a HARD double-take (no, not like that)
I missed the 'will fix' at first, so I was looking at 'my magic sex broken boy' like it was a weird spiritual sequel to 'Coin-operated boy' by the Dresden Dolls.
Lol I watched that shizz show baked outta my mind because I couldn't do it sober.
Some good black rom-coms: Boomerang, Coming To America, Brown Sugar, Just Wright, Two Can Play That Game, Really Love
I would add Love and Basketball on your list too. Brown Sugar....idk.. I love it but they absolutely sleep together whiles he's still married and she's engaged lol
@@erikayoung4344 Love & basketball was not that romantic to me. He wasn't that great to her. Playing for his love...eh. They should definitely do an EP about it.
I love Coming to America... I doubt it would rank high in healthy relationships but its a GREAT movie.
I love Coming to America, what a great romcom.
OMG Just Wright has an excellent trope for them to discuss! YEsssss
25:19 When my boyfriend and I first got together he was so sweet and did EXACTLY that and asked "Can i hold your hand, can i hug you, would you like to try kissing" etc and it was SO FREAKING SWEET and was way more romantic than just going for it without warning
well done him! glad to hear some people out there do this!
Yeeess!! With my husband and me, out first kiss was initiated by me asking ”should we go make out?” (Btw i don’t know if that could be interpreted as having sex in english, but in our language it clearly meant just kissing 😂), and he was just like yeah let’s do it. Some people have been weirded out by that, but my husband has said that he thought it was sweet and actually kinda sexy 🥰
@@gallnerx Awww that’s actually so wholesome and cute
I had to throw myself at my husband. He's so shy he wouldn't make the first move. 15 blissful years later, I'm glad I got up the courage to act. 😂
@@francesca6301 Awww that’s actually so sweet!! Apparently I was about as subtle as a pregnant hippo with my feelings for my boyfriend so he ended up figuring out I had feelings for him himself and I ended up panicking when he brought it up (bc I assumed it was unrequited) and said “If you don’t feel the same let’s carry on being friends I can restrain my feelings!” And he responded with “that wouldn’t be entirely true”
One year later we’re going strong 💪🏻
I loved ‘While You Were Sleeping’, ‘Moonstruck’, and ‘Just Like Heaven’, and rewatch them frequently. I’d love your analysis, and all the comments of course.
I feel like they’ve done While you were sleeping. Maybe just like heaven as well.
The "Bird Cage" with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. I don't think it was a RomCom actually but the relationship between the Goldman's is worth examining I think. Both in the dynamics between the spouses and with their son. I love that movie.
LOOOOOVE bird cage!
Totally agree! Fantastic movie!
Yeah, I was thinking there were gay movies made in this era, but they're mostly tragedies...😬
On that note, I was thinking Victor / Victoria too! 😂
The Birdcage is a great choice! I like the musical it was based on even better - La Cage Aux Folles.
I was literally just looking up and istening to some songs from that musical YESTERDAY!!! 😮😛 Some of the truly most beautiful, romantic songs ever.
If unfamiliar but interested, look up - all are on TH-cam:
1) Song on the Sand - sung by Davis Gaines
And the La Cage Aux Folles original soundtrack versions of:
2) Anne on My Arm
3) Look Over There
4) I Am What I Am (not one of the love songs but it's the classic, cheeky, funny, genuinely inspiring opening number / theme song).
@@tinaperez7393 I should watch the original. My husband has seen it, but I haven't yet.
“Return to Me” is just amazing. It handles emotions and relationships so well. I wish there were more movies like this. Movies don’t need dysfunction and manipulation to be amazing. Real, honest and open relationships are full of enough drama, humor and connection!!
I love this movie!
“Return to Me” is just the ideal rom-com. Nothing toxic, nothing violent, nothing unnecessarily raunchy, sweet characters with a sweet, innocent romance and an absolutely charming supporting cast and a catchy soundtrack.
I also liked how it didn’t undermine the love he felt for his first wife and she wasn’t jealous.
Return to Me is one of my all-time favorites, and the fact that it has been so overlooked is a travesty.
@@singingwordwright148 And most importantly: consent. Jon-o loves that.
"I can't do this" is her seeing his sincerity and honest love that she's wanted from him the whole time, is finally here, and it's only when she's choosing another man over him. It may not be his intent to be charming her into considering him again, but that is what's happening. She's with another man now, but she's still in love with this one. "I can't be letting these feeling take over when I've committed to someone else." She knows staying and talking any longer will cement the fact that she's still in love with him. She's saying this to herself. "I can't do this."
Kissing afterwards is a familiar chemical reaction with a dusting of feelings after a nice heart to heart talk.
Thank you ! She left because she was scared to dream and grow with someone. And she told herself her life in Alabama wasn’t worth caring about and her husband couldn’t change . The I can’t do this is because she was wrong - all of a sudden she realizes she was wrong - maybe she could have grown with the support of her family and friends and husband instead of being chicken and ditching them all… and now the childhood love that knows her ( unlike the New York sweet man that didn’t now her when he proposed) is showing growth and all the things she wanted but didn’t ask for ..
anyway thanks for writing it with clarity - I love that movie because the main characters grow up and let each other grow up
@@mandyholly6947Well said!
I’m tickled pink that you chose one of my and my husband’s favorite movies-Return to Me-as the healthiest relationship. I could argue that it really isn’t a rom com, though. It’s a romance with some lovely comic themes, but it deals with some pretty serious ideas. It doesn’t minimize the grief and pain of Duchovny’s character. Because it showed that honestly, his walking away to work through that discovery makes sense. Both actors gave it their all. And I agree. Bonnie Hunt needs to direct lots more movies
I agree. I was surprised to see it on this list, because it's definitely not a romcom in my opinion. I haven't watched it since childhood because it broke me so much emotionally. I remember it being a beautiful movie, but it's just tough for me to want to choose to watch a movie that's going to make me cry that much.
It still has lots of comedy though. And the more times you watch it, the more the humor comes out. Like every thing the old men say to each other and Kate and her many children and husband. So maybe a romantic comedic drama? 🤭
I can't believe you included "Return To Me"! It's been one of my absolute favorite movies of all time, and no one even knows about it. I'm so happy.
Haven't seen it since around the time it was first out, and would have sworn it was even older. A movie lost in time! 😂
It's so underrated!
I was so excited to see it on their list. I knew it would rate high against MBFGW.
@CinemaTherapyShow thank you so much for what you do.
My wife showed it to me when we were dating and it's one of my favorites.
In terms of diverse rom coms/romance, I’d love to see you guys do Love and Basketball, Someone Great, and Crazy Rich Asians! There’s also a huge amount of Bollywood movies you could do.
I saw the blurbs for it on netflix, and thought it was going to be another super cheesy saccharine formula "rom-com". So, I didn't watch it. My husband did. He loved it. And then for a 'movie night" (when we go watch movies together at home) we watched it. and watched it a few more times too. I loved it.
I thought the relationship side-story of Astrid was good in showing what not to do. (even if sad.) The scene as she walks out on Michael is good as she realizes what she did wrong (hiding her purchases, turning down jobs etc to avoid making him feel bad because her family is rich.)
I loved Pek Lin, . . " *you're dating Nick Young?????* "
They did add Crazy Rich Asians into their "Ranking Cinderella Stories"! I love that movie so much :)
@@acadiafire128 oh wait - they did! Why did I forget that? I loved their breakdown of the Mahjong scene too
I really loved Crazy Rich Asians. The books were fun, too.
There's another rom com movie that came out in 2018 on Netflix called "Nappily Ever After" about an African American woman that I really enjoyed.
@@suzyrichins7958 yes, I loved Nappily Ever After - sooo good!
I'm a big Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds fan, so the proposal has always been right up my alley
Dont forget Betty White
@@grennbalze How could anyone?
The Proposal was the first film I saw Ryan Reynolds in.
Not being familiar with it I'm concluding from watching this that The Proposal probably works at least in good part thanks to those two.
TO THE WINDOW! TO THE WALL! TO THE WALL! TO THE SWEAT RUNNING DOWN MY BALLS!
You forgot the best part of Return to me: Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi! Their relationship and scenes were HILARIOUS!
"Grace has Bob's dead wife's heart!"
"Oh. So he's not married." 😂
@@amandaklopping2880 "Anybody want ice cream?"
Bonnie Hunt - ultimate wingwoman!
One of my favorite parts about Return to Me is that their dates sometimes include her family, and he's fine with that. They are both mature adults just living their lives, and her family is part of that and they're all just hanging out having a good time.
I absolutely loved everything about this movie. Watched it years ago for Carol O'Connor. He died right after it was made. It should have gotten so many more views, and was advertised a lot around him being in it. I enjoyed it a lot then, and so much more now. When these guys got to reviewing that, stopped before the end of their review and watched it right away. What I love about it even more now is how wholesome it is. You never see romantic movies or pretty much any movie where they date in the old fashioned way. Actually get to know each other, kiss and hold hands, interact w/ family and friends, and don't jump right in bed. They actually get to know one another and fall in love the honest way. Almost ironic that a woman directed this. She threw away that cheesy formula I hate so much.
It's a true rare gem of cinema. My only favorite Romance movie.
I adore Return to Me. Fun fact, the two main characters meeting isn't a plot contriavance, its based on real people who this happened to.
Life is a plot contrivance.
But yeah, despite it being unrealistic, it's reasonably unrealistic, but that's how life is sometimes. The chances of it happening are slim, but not so slim that it's impossible to believe.
Knowing it actually happened (though obviously not exactly this way; they came close to meeting several times in the movie before they actually did and of course movies never tell an accurate story of true events no matter what because it's just not as interesting) makes the film's plot more... well, believable. Not that I needed it.
My favourite part of Return to Me is the old guys at the bar, they are hilarious
@@heathergarnham9555The old widowers club that immediately accepts Bob when they find out his wife is dead is one of my favorite parts of the movie!
@@maryhales4595I think they immediately thought of Grace, that’s why they were delighted?!
I love My Big Fat Greek Wedding. When I showed it to my husband whose family is Turkish, he was angry about how much he liked it! "This reminds me of my family way too much." 😂
Probably has a grandmother with dementia who rants about the filthy Greeks invading, too.
As someone who spent 6 years studying and working with Turks, I can totally see why he had that reaction 😅😅😅 PS I love Turks and Greeks (don’t tell your husband I used those two in the same sentence hahaha)
@@KsyuSmith According to my husband, the only ones who hate Turks more than Greeks... are other Turks. XD It cracks me up how similar the two cultures are, but they will never admit it!
@@Tales2TellU YES!!! I always tell my Turkish friends about it and omg I love their reactions ahhaha
Me with my Romanian husband 🤣
I’m not a rom com person, but a couple weeks ago I was sick with Covid and watched Return to Me because it was free on TH-cam. I was so surprised at how genuinely heartwarming and sweet that movie was.
Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you're feeling better!
Some of my favorite Black romantic comedies are: Two Can Play That Game; Deliver Us From Eva; Last Holiday; The Wood; The Best Man.
Does Last Holiday count?
@@kaylahensley1581 I will die on this hill that it does. The way sean tracks her all the way across the world to spend her last days with her D': Devastatingly romantic
Yes! I also commented Deliver us from Eva (before I saw your comment)- that one has a great storyline to dissect :)
@@kaylahensley1581 The love interest is a bit shoe horned in there, and if he were removed, it'd still be a great movie. She learns to love herself and life?
Ooo Last Holiday is definitely a favorite of mine! Especially for New Years!
I completely relate to "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." My husband has no cousins, while I have 24 first cousins, and that's just one side of my family. I come from a very large, Mexican family. What has made us work well is not only that my husband is chill like Ian, but he is willing to learn how to best support me with the dynamics of my family. He is humble enough to change and grow in empathy involving family situations he has not experienced before. He is a huge advocate for not just my feelings, but also for my family's. Just as Ian encourages Tula not to elope, my husband has never pit me against my family even when it's tough. That has been so important because I really love my quirky large family. I love my husband so much! 💕
Whoever made and sent you the “My magic sex will fix broken boy” poster to the side of Alan is my hero. That deserves to be in the Met. The Louvre. The Sistine Chapel. It is actual art and the creator deserves acknowledgement, praise, and accolades worthy of only the finest artists.
I will accept no other options.
They made it (their editor, I think).
Yeah, an above comment they replied to states the editor made it for Alan. It's great, I agree.
Return to Me is a movie I have watched many times. The whole movie is so well done and the supporting characters are wonderful. I’m really glad you covered it.
If you do a part two to this, PLEASE include the Ugly Truth, the Wedding Planner, or 27 Dresses! I'd love to hear your opinions on some of these (dumpster fire) relationships in film 😂. Love your channel!
Yes, please, that would be perfect. The only person you really felt sorry for in "Wedding Planner" was Bridgette Wilson, the fiancée, who had her future husband lie to her and emotionally cheat on her with their wedding planner.
I would love them to comment 27 Dresses, though I think the most interesting relationship is between the sisters.
Or just Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore rom coms
Yes! 27 Dresses!
OMG 27 Dresses is a guilty pleasure of mine! I hate that I love that movie I would love an episode picking apart all the red flags lol
Both Andie and Ben started the relationship under false pretenses, him for money, and her for creative integrity. They both get hypocritically angry at the other for lying, only to later decide that they're meant to be together after all. At this rate, they deserve each other!
It's like the romcom relationship version of two wrongs make a right somehow?
@@acelovesdiyschristopher7023 excellent point
@@prestonochsenhirt1246 thanks Preston. 👋🏻
I also super dislike the fact that she finally gets some guts and leaves for another workplace where she can write what she's always been wanting to, aaaaaannnnndddd, she gives it all up for a guy she met 2 weeks ago 🙄 Always hated the ending even as a kid.
If they wanted their dramatic ending of running after her, they should’ve had him giving his job frankly, not telling her to give up her dream. OR him running to her to tell her he found an even better job for her so she can follow her dream in the same city.
@Asharra12 you said what I was thinking only better. Agree.
I just thought about how Alan and Jono are slowly healing my father wound. The world needs more men like you! Thank you for being just the way you are 💛
Honestly, Jono reminds me so much of my dad. My dad was the sweetest, nicest man ever. He taught school for 40 years and at his funeral, students of his of all ages, came up to me to tell me how great he was and how he made their lives better. Grown adults with their own kids now told me my dad made a difference in their lives. Everyone needs someone like that in their lives and we all need to try to be that person for others. I'm so glad that they can model that for you. Big hugs.
They both have a lot in common with my Dad, and it just makes these videos more enjoyable! I was very lucky in being brought up by parents who had no hesitation in both telling me when something I was told or said was shitty and in being willing to throw down in my defence.
@@eshbena Thank you for saying that about your dad! i'm a special education teacher. I just (today) re-retired so I could have more time to spend with my 1-year old grandson. But I have loved being a teacher since 2002. My daughter has had some of my grown students and their parents tell her I made a difference to them, and I have had students of hers or their parents do the same to me! My daughter was an ABA therapist for many years for non-verbal 2 year olds on the spectrum. .
I'm really glad you included the segment asking for folks to suggest more diverse romcoms! I've been searching for ages for some
Have you seen The Birdcage? It's an older one but a classic!! Or seen the TV show Schitt's Creek? I know that's not a movie but the relationship arc ( no spoilers) is the most beautiful one I have seen in any media!!
You might like "Love and Other Disasters" (2006), as well as the short film by Miike Snow "Genghis Khan"
For a Black/ POC romcom, I would suggest Leslie and Scott in the film Just Wright. It's a FANTASTIC friends to lovers story.
I do hate that Scott went for the sister first and then went back to her for a while. It makes me soo angry 😅 but I love that movie. I love queen Latifah
Or another Queen Latifah movie...the Holiday!
Please do the Parent Trap (Lindsey Lohan version)!!! Im curious about your thoughts on the divorce, marriage, Meredith, kids, the whole idea of splitting your kids up(!), etc!!
Ooo yeah a divorce/kids episode would be super interesting actually. Not that I can think of any movies besides parent trap for it 😅
i need you guys to watch “but i’m a cheerleader”
I second that! Also "Better Than Chocolate"
@@AK-gd7vh Second to both of these! Also maybe The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
Some other LGBTQ films are Shelter and Big Eden. The dialogue in Shelter isn’t great, but I think the storyline is still interesting and I remember Big Eden actually being pretty good.
I was about to recommend this one! is silly and deep all at once
Beautiful Thing (1996) is lovely.
50 first dates is my favorite romance movie (and my husband’s favorite) of all time. Please please do an episode on that one! It’s so funny, sweet, and genuinely heartwarming. For therapy purposes I’d like y’all to explore the dad/Henry’s relationship and the grieving father swallowing his pride and allow Henry to show him a better outcome/life for his daughter. I just love how respectful, patient, and caring the main character is.
Please please please cover lesbian legend "But I'm a Cheerleader." It's got everything. Conversion therapy, identity issues, denial, RuPaul....
Great film. This was one of my first introductions to LGBT+ relationships and I think it really helped me be more understanding towards other people who I otherwise wouldn't have understood (as I'm a cis straight woman).
"Zuko here."
It was trip to see what he looked like IRL.
Oh, good call!
OH THAT MOVIE IS GREAT
Yes!! One of my favorites.
Black Romcoms and dramedies: Love & Basketball, The Best Man, The Wood, Two Can Play That Game (Please do this one and discuss the 'playbook' of Vivica Fox's character) also the various relationship dynamics in Think Like a Man!
Also, Love Don’t Cost a Thing!
Would you consider doing a full episode just on Return to Me? The family dynamics, grief, survivors guilt etc. So many good things.
Yes please!
A million times yes!
Yyyyeeeesssss!!!
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
I hope they notice this thread. Yes, they could cover so many great aspects. I loved the Christian aspect of this too. Faith in times of grief, loss, hope and just every day life. I also loved the aspect of her, even though she is beautiful, felt less than or like she might not meet someone, because of her surgery. I think so many of us can relate to that, for different reasons.
I love it when great, but under rated, or underperforming movies get a plug like this. "Return to Me" is one of my favorite Rom-Coms for all the reasons you stated, plus you get the feeling that everyone in it could be a real person, and someone I would like to know. That's from the grand father, to the leads, to the Italian "uncle", to the best friend in Helen Hunt and her hubby Jim Belushi. It is a heart warming, at times funny, but very real movie that I love. Thanks guys.
“Movies: super-fun, unless they’re happening to you!” seems like a good tagline for this show.
I love this 😂
Honestly SUPER HAPPY that "Return to Me" is #1 because this is my favorite rom-com of all time. I love seeing people finally talking about this film because it's SO GOOD!!
Right... I originally watched it back in the day because I was a David Duchovny fan but it turned out to be a great film overall that I never hear ANYONE talk about.
SAAAAMMMME.
It deserves more love!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of the very, very few rom coms that I actually just adore. Everyone in it is fantastic. John Corbett slays. "What do you mean, you don't eat no meat?! It's okay, I'll make lamb." As an aside, everyone is in love with Catherine Hahn. Don't feel bad. And I do remember a lot of my romances being based off of the question "would it be alright if I kissed you?"
I’ve been obsessed with Kathryn Hahn since Crossing Jordan!
I LOVE showing people Return to Me! Nobody expects much, because they’ve never heard of it and I love seeing them find a new favorite movie.
my best friends wedding and 27 dresses really deserve a cinema therapy review!
I concur!!
27 Dresses is my favorite rom-com, even though it is NOT a healthy way to start a relationship. It's just so fun!
@@Nightfire613 I feel like every relationship in that movie is a hot mess, and its part of the charm
Sweet Home Alabama-what they did not even give enough detail on was tat they got married(during high school?) because she was pregnant, she miscarried then left as they were both horribly traumatized by it and couldn't stand being around each other. Then he sees how successful she is becoming in NYC (on a trip he kept secret) and decided it was time to improve his immature self in order (to him) be worthy of her and the stupid drama detail of refusing to sign the divorce papers was how he got her back to her hometown to show her.
Yea, but they are still awful to each other and fail to communicate well. Yes, they have their reasons but it doesn't excuse bad behavior either.
THANK YOU! Also, she was lying the whole time to Andrew. She was pretending to be someone she was not; she didn't tell him about her upbringing, about her time as a teenager, about her friends, about her boyfriend/husband, about her pregnancy and miscarriage. Yeah, Jake and her were nasty to each other, because they were both hurt and not able to communicate about their feelings, about their disappointments, about their loss. And yeah, maybe they were not the right fit, but the movie was not about their relationship, it was about them failing to communicate with each other and finding their way back to talking to each other about the stuff that matters and then their decision to give it another shot. I think it's difficult to compare some of those films because they were just in such different stages of their relationships
Always Be My Maybe is an Asian Rom-Com and is actually pretty mature.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back? I mean there are plenty of Korean Dramas, but they also have some... interesting laws as well. The Rom-Com "My Girlfriend is an Agent" from Korea is the original Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
i love always be my maybe! its so good, i could endlessly rewatch it
I instantly thought of Always Be My Maybe when Jono asked for recs!
Oh my gosh! Return to Me is one of my absolute favorites! I’m so glad you guys talked about it, it’s so underrated.
From a similar time, I'd love to see you cover My Best Friend's Wedding! It has always stuck out in my memory for being the one otherwise-cliche rom com where the female lead does *not* get the man of her dreams at the end. Love the ending sentiment of the movie that you still have to live life despite not always having your dreams come true/getting who you want, and you could talk about accepting someone's no.
In the movie my best friends wedding I believe all 3 characters are terrible. They all lie and manipulate. If I had a man with a pick me girl "friend" it would be a big fat red flag..he would have to give her up. The constant sabotage of your relationship to pick her (just so she could win) would ruin my marriage otherwise..
I second this one!
Since you asked for some more diverse rom coms, here's a couple of my favs:
1. Always Be My Maybe
2. The Lovebirds
3. Crazy Rich Asians
4. The Big Sick
5. The Half of It
Hope we can hear you break down some of these, and love your channel!
The Big Sick is fantastic AND it is a multi-racial romance, includes respectful realities of loving someone with a severe illness, and it's based on their real lives ❤️
Great suggestion!
The Half of It is so good!
I love Crazy Rich Asians. Rachel is the best romantic lead of all time. I also enjoyed Always Be My Maybe. The Keanu Reeves scenes were unhinged.
@@kendalkolasinski8055ooo Crazy Rich Asians is fantastic! I watched it 3 times in theaters when it came out and it made me cry each time 😂
I loved the Half of It so much!
For a non straight couple please discuss The Bird Cage! It's my favorite romance movie and I would hugely appreciate it!
This was my first thought as well.
I like how My Big Fat Greek Wedding highlighted married couples who fall in love regardless of major cultural differences.
I reminds me of my own parent’s story. My dad a Irish American boy and my mom a Filipino immigrant. Her family is exactly like Toula’s family in that movie.
And that relatability is why it was such a huge hit, I think. You didn't have to be Greek to look at her big loud family and say "That's MY family!"
Something just always clicked with me in "The Proposal" when she is realizing how wonderful of a family he has and that she will ruin this all and feels guilty. The scene in the barn and the scene with her clinging to the boyue (is it called that?) in the water are just so extremely well acted.
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds’s acting and chemistry is pretty much what keeps me from forgetting about how squicky the plot is.
Buoy?
@@animeotaku307 Yeah these two made it really funny to watch, also I enjoy characters who are being assholes, but deep down they actually have a kind heart.
A fun ranking show might be ranking the couples in "He's just not that into you" dir Ken Kwapis. Its an ensemble with an insane cast, and has "when Harry Met Sally" vignettes on it.
I ADORE Return to Me, I used to watch it with my mom growing up and it's a big comfort movie when I'm heartsick. The way they're both just so genuine and respectful and their conflict is so realistic (even if the premise isn't really) but they work through things so well, it's everything I've ever wanted for myself. If you want some POC romcoms How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Crazy Rich Asians, The Big Sick, Love and Basketball, Always Be My Maybe, Love Jones, Last Holiday, and Fools Rush In are all bangers imo!
Second the Big Sick! that's such a good one!
I was scrolling through Tubi while watching this trying to find something to watch after. While you were talking about Return to Me what do come across? Return to Me! Must be a sign. Time for a rewatch.
Return To Me has been a top tier movie for my wife and I since she first showed it to me while we were dating back in 2006. Still amazing and holds a special place for me.
The thing with Sweet Home Alabama, and they touch on it closer to the end of the movie, was he went to New York after she left and thought about trying to win her back, but realized he needed to make something more of his life for her. At the time they split up he was working at a tire factory and he wanted to give her the life he knew she wanted and that he felt she deserved. They had also just gone through a super painful tragedy in their marriage (miscarriage) and didn't handle the feelings of that loss well. I've seen that movie like 1000 times and it's one of my favorites.
Same. I think that one deserves to be higher on the list.
@@PittsburghSportsFan43 Maybe 1 higher. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is more garbage than it. But only just, sorry 😬
@@PittsburghSportsFan43 It's a fun drama contrivance, for sure, but I'd still rank it pretty low in terms of real-life relationships, because he could've communicated what he was doing at any point instead of waiting for years to tell her and then being passive-aggressive about her wanting a divorce when he's given her no indication that he still wants to be with her.
Again, no shade if you love it - relationships don't have to be healthy for a movie to be enjoyable.
@@rizahawkeyepierce1380 He could've communicated? He's a guy. Guys don't communicate. You're lucky if they understand words at all. That was totally real-life. He was trying to his best to be able to win her back into his life, then she comes in and blows everything up with an attitude, and supposed to explain everything without reacting when she's reacting all over the place? This was totally real-life behavior for him. She was the one who was out there and lost it.
I was shocked, it's actually a very good romantic comedy
It's so nice to see Return to Me getting love! It's so good and emotionally honest.
7:18 I think something that came out to me in this moment was that when she said “I can’t do this” is because THIS is the guy she needed in their marriage before she took off for New York. She knows she has a great man that she’s about to marry, but seeing this guy from her past being this way Now.. it’s making her feel emotionally vulnerable, and she’s trying to put a wall up to keep him at bay because the girl she was in her past is finally seeing the guy she needed him to be manifested. Regardless of the timing of it all, that’s going to throw her into a very complicated head space, which is why she ends up kissing him. I can relate so well, seeing as the guy I thought I was going to end up with and I experiencing a heartbreaking miscarriage that “we” didn’t survive because he closed up and distanced himself from me when I needed him to comfort and just be there with me through that horrible grief together. We broke up later, he ended his life years later, and I know that had there been a moment between us that he was able to address and mend that rift caused from that moment, no matter if I was with someone else or not, I would have most likely reacted similarly to how Reese did.
I've never felt so validated in my life! Return to Me is my all-time favorite romantic comedy. Bonnie Hunt is such a subtle comedic writer, director AND actress and I don't feel like she gets the attention and kudos that she deserves. What I love about Return to Me is that it's extremely romantic, however, it's not completely over blown with sex, nudity and profanity. I even thought that the older side characters were hilarious- I love how they bickered about whose ethnicity was the best- not to mention the relationship that Bonnie Hunt's character had with her own husband. The background music filled with classic Sinatra and Dean Martin just added to the charm of the film. I can't recommend this movie enough and I hope that everyone that has seen this Vlog takes the time to watch this movie.❤❤❤❤
Oh my God I think I really really have to watch it soon, after this video and your comment :')
Return to Me, While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding are my favorite rom-coms. They're like a warm cozy blanket.
And the thing that all three of them have in common is how important the characters' families are to the story!
YAAAAAASSSS!
Amen
One of the better ones is Fever Pitch (2005). They meet, they hit it off, they get to know each other, they find there is a major lifestyle conflict, they each separately realize that their relationship means so much that they're willing to work past it. "If you love me enough to give up your season tickets, I love you enough not to let you." The fact that their reconciliation also breaks the Curse of the Bambino is just a bonus.
My bff and I adored Return To Me when we were teenagers - I wasn't a big romcom lover, but that one was at the top of the list. I can't express how happy I was to rewatch it and find that it was just as heartfelt and authentic as I remembered... I'm so glad it's getting the love from you too
I requested Return to Me a year ago for Relationship Goals/Grieving Stages, or Support System and I'm soo glad you guys finally used it. Thank you!
I think a film I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts on is Mississippi Masala which is a 90s rom-com/dramedy about an interracial romance between an Indian woman and a Black man. But it’s also about displacement and generational trauma, and I feel like is a really good example of a film that does representation right while telling a very meaningful story. Love your videos!
Hey guys, I've always been _dying_ to see your analysis of _When Harry Met Sally,_ from 1989. It's by far my favourite Romcom.
YES! Return to Me is my favorite rom-com. I'm so glad you acknowledged it and gave it the praise it deserves
Why do I feel the strange urge to make them watch Red White and Royal Blue….
YES❤
@@anoukpenna1048 OMG YES
This is the recommendation I was hoping to see 😂
That would be amazing!
Because the lack of LGBTQ romcoms would mean it would be one of the few that are mainstream enough to even do as a list? Lol
Please consider Mississippi Masala. It was a really important film for a lot of us with South Asian heritage and one of the few representations of us on screen when it released in 1991.
❤❤❤ loved it
Ah! You did two of my absolute favorites! I'm not a huge fan of romcoms, but My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Return to Me are some of the few that I truly enjoy.
They’re some of the best romcoms!
Black romcom, ensemble movie: The Best Man
A movie with a problematic couple heavily discussed in our community: Love Jones
One of our favorite black romcoms: Love and Basketball
So glad you picked Return to Me as the best one. It’s a hidden gem that more people should know about.
Return to Me is one of my favorite movies of all time, not only because you have the three stooges playing bowling ball, but also because the couple is actually nice to each other. I definitely put this in my number one spot of greatest rom-com of all time.
It’s not fair to say Jake wouldn’t sign the divorce papers just because he was still in love with her. He followed her to NYC and realized he was just a small town guy. He drug his feet because he was trying to get his glass business off the ground and prove to Mel that he’s not just a loser. Also, exactly Mel “can’t do this”= be emotional with you because it’s making me feel things for you again.
Exactly
"I can't do this" can also refer to her not being able to talk to him about her possible wedding to Andrew because she needs time to figure it out. He lingers, she lingers, they kiss, and he sends her away, and in every scene after that she is trying to deal with him closing that possibility, even though she clearly wants the opposite now that they're finally talking.
Yesss. I was so frustrated when they were talking about the “can’t do this” line. I’ve always interpreted it as he’s not sincere when he says he’s happy for her. He’s saying it as a cover for what he really feels, which is that he wishes she would stay and be his wife. But she sees right through it.
Yes!!!!! They never really lost feelings for each other. They got married young because she was pregnant. When the miscarriage or stillbirth happened she was distraut, he was probably being unavailable too since that has to be an intense loss. She needed more/a distraction and he couldn't provide so she left to New York trying to forget. He realized that she was gone, partly his fault too, so he followed her and took in that he couldn't compete with this grand city. Still wanting his first love he decides to build up himself so someday he could prove himself. It took 7 years unfortunately. She found another guy who was (Mc-Freaking-Dreamy) and thought she finally had her do-over that she needed to finally heal.
When she went back to Alabama she had her guard up because she needed that divorce to move on. He was upset because she is with someone else. They can't communicate because all the past and current hurt getting in the way. When she actually talks to him that night she confirms her feelings for him never left, and he realized she's going whether or not he wants. He let's her go she knows what he's doing and her mind starts to change. They finally end up together because the other is who they wanted and needed the entire time.
Sorry about the Ted talk that's just how I've always interpreted it.
@@lexyself243 very much appreciate your Ted Talk!
As a person who’s a big fan of Schitts creek, I would love for you to deep dive on the relationships there. Specially Patrick and David.
"Return to Me" has been one of my most favorite movies since it was released and I saw it in the theatre. The leads are so likable and sweet, the side characters are AMAZING, and the sound track is perfect. I love it from top to bottom!!
Hi, there. I am a caucasian woman, but I would recommend you consider the movie "Love & Basketball" (2000) as the topic for one of your next couple videos. There you can see the relationship between the two main characters grow and change as they go from their childhood to their adult years.
Yes same, my fave director!
Oh my god I’m SO HAPPY someone noticed Return to Me because it feels to me like nobody has ever seen it and it’s one of my absolute favourites. ❤
Maybe you could do a video on various friendships as well?
I would LOVE more recommendations for movies to watch with good relationships. My therapist and I always talk about how I got so many lessons growing up from media and how damaging they can be. But then good media has so much power in that respect
I can recommend a book, MISTAKEN IDENTITY by Vivian Perez. It feels like MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING mixed with FROZEN. I like it, because every time one of the characters, Hunter, starts behaving like a jerk, he listens, he stops, he apologizes and communicates his feelings better. When the grandfather says to the girl that Hunter is a clown, but he is okay, it hit me hard. It reminded me when I was a child, when one of my neighbors was getting married. I heard her mother saying that she was marrying a "clown" but at least he was trying his best. They were together for decades until he died.
@kazza6078 I feel this!! I have been through so much horrible relationships or things that luckily didn't turn into relationships before I met my husband and I remember watching all these silly movies when I was a kid and growing up. But then again, I'll admit that the friends that I watched the movies with did, in contrast to me, end up in healthy relationships that last up until today. Sooooo... I guess Jono has a point about being able to enjoy these kinds of movies while not taking them for real advice. I never could. I'd always seek out the drama. That never had a happy end in real life :') Anyways, wish you all the best for your own therapy and journey towards healthy relationships.
The "Twilight" poster next to Alan that says "My magic sex will fix broken boy" 😂👏🏻
I’d love to see you guys do a deep dive on the romantic relationships in _Crazy, Stupid Love_
Black/Interracial Rom Coms - Think Like A Man; The Lovebirds (Hilarious); Malcolm and Marie; The Photograph; Why Did I Get Married; Guess Who; The Best Man; Last Holiday; Deliver Us from Eva; How Stella Hot Her Groove Back; Our Family Wedding; Just Wright; Two Can Play That Game; Brown Sugar; Jumping the Broom; Really Love (romantic); Love Jones etc.
Some of these are certified black culture classics! Would love to hear your takes 🫂🤍 thanks for watching and loving movies
The way I kicked my feet when Return to Me was number 1-I’ve also ADORED that movie since I was a kid! I especially agree that the supporting characters really make that movie, and add to the depth of the story. She’s surrounded by such good people that he not only falls in love with her, but is coaxed back to life by getting to know her friends and family. It really hammers home the value of community as the context for relationship.
Plus, the bottled water scene is simply an all-time fav. 😂
Agreed! The family dynamics - even Bob’s continued connection with his late wife’s work family - it’s all just so charming and wholesome! 🥰
"I got sick off a Swiss water once!" 😂😂
My mom and I still quote that scene when we wear similar clothes “Matching matching, green squared!”
I cheered! I was so glad they ranked it first.
Yes! It's sort of like the "While You Were Sleeping" fact that she's alone and she falls in love not just with Jack, but with his entire family. Community can actually help a relationship if it's a caring, supportive family or group of people surrounding the couple in some way.
In terms of LGBT+ AND POC couples, I would LOVE for you to do Saving Face from 2004! It’s not talked about enough but it’s really good!!
Yes!!! Saving Face is so much fun!! I wish I could watch it again for the first time
People really are sleeping on Return to Me! It's so touching and lovely.