Why is it that most romantic comedies are terrible? It’s a question as old as time, and yet as mystifying as time itself: why are there so many terrible rom-coms? Or, more precisely, why can’t every rom-com be When Harry Met Sally, or at least – at least! – The Holiday? Surely it should be easy to write, direct and release a hit romantic comedy? (It’s certainly easy to enjoy them, after all.) Still, every time I get on a plane, I’m faced with the same soulless, spiritually beige options that hardly even deserve a recap.
As of today, it appears that there is hope for rom-com enthusiasts. Cameron Diaz recently announced that she would be “un-retiring”—and what’s more, making her triumphant return to the big screen in a Netflix movie titled Back in Action that also stars Jamie Foxx. I don’t know if these two crazy kids will end up getting together—but I do know it’s been too long since I watched Diaz in a comedic role and that’s enough for me.
As if the return of James Franco to the comedy genre wasn’t enough, Julia Roberts will also be making a return to romantic comedy. She’s starring in Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney, who also made a brief appearance in the film industry as a rom-com actor. Yes, you read that right: Julia Roberts and George Clooney will be appearing in a film together as “two long-divorced parents who impulsively married each other.”
Although both films have yet to be released, I am very happy to hear that we are getting fresh, quality rom-com meat. It has been a long fallow season filled with dark indie movies and I have fewer reproductive rights than my mother did at my age. Sometimes I just need a film full of pratfalls and high-heeled escapades and first-date kisses and totally fake, low-stakes drama to distract me from this mortal coil.
Cameron and Julia welcome you back to the rom-com fold; we’re happy you ve missed us. Therefore, let’s find out when the rewatch of our all-time favorite is.
