Romance on film is as varied and ever changing as romance in fiction. Romantic comedies, for example, have changed over the many decades of the film industry – or, if you’re 2016, altogether disappeared. Classic romances are sometimes remade but don’t hold the same charm as the original. There was a brief span of time wherein we had at least one Sandra Bullock rom com per year and possibly 1.5 Kate Hudson films as well, There was no shortage of romance on film to enjoy – to say nothing of some of the classics. Nowadays, there are a lot of great films that would appeal to romance fans available on multiple streaming platforms, which is pretty terrific.
So here’s our plan: we’re going to select a romantic movie each month, and announce the title and options for viewing. Then, on the last Sunday of the month, we’ll review the film and discuss how it holds up, how we enjoyed it, and whether we recommend it. We’d love to have you join us, too: you can watch when it’s convenient for you, and then join us in the comments for the discussion.
The good news: we have a HUGE LIST. Seriously, we could keep this going as a monthly feature well into 2019 given how many titles we thought of immediately, with release dates as recent as 2014 and as far back as 1939. For this month, we selected a film by random integer, and we’ll probably do that each month, unless there’s a film we are all dying to watch and discuss.
But! We would love to hear your suggestions, too! If you want to recommend a romantic comedy or a romance on film, please give us the details in this form.
Ready for our February pick? Thanks to Lord Random, Duke of Integer, we’re watching Desk Set, a 1957 comedy starring Spencer Tracey and Katharine Hepburn. It’s about two people who clash when their television news research department is computerized.
It’s available in multiple places, including Netflix, Google:Play, and Amazon.
Care to join us? Please do!
We will be posting our first Smart Bitch Movie Matinee review on Sunday, 28 February, and we hope you’ll join us to discuss the film in the comments.
I also suggested “Arranged” (2007), in which an Orthodox Jewish woman and a Muslim woman become friends and go through their respective religious/cultural processes to find love and marriage. I love this movie so much, and it’s one of my favorites (due in no small part to the all-too-rare positive representation of Muslims, as I am Muslim myself).
I nominated several, but I would really love if Something New was talked about. I think it was under-seen because I don’t hear talked about, but it’s a really good portrayal of an interracial couple.
I think I’m going to have to go back and watch several of the ones I nominated even if they aren’t talked about here. I haven’t seen Love & Basketball, Heart & Souls, or Return to Me in years. I used to rematch movies all the time and now I never seem to have the time.
I often despite romantic comedies, but I will admit to loving Sweet Home Alabama, Legally Blonde, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and While You Were Sleeping.
I often despise romantic comedies, but I will admit to loving Sweet Home Alabama, Legally Blonde, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and While You Were Sleeping. Hope some of them pop up!
Wow, what a fun idea! I haven’t seen Desk Set in years so I look forward to seeing it again. I remember liking it when I saw it.
I’ll also try to think of some movie ideas to suggest.
SOME LIKE IT HOT.
Also, The Apartment, It Happened One Night, Pillow Talk (no, seriously), His Girl Friday, and Harold and Maude (… yes).
Desk Set is in my all time favorites!
While I did enjoy Sleepless in Seattle when I watched it, I would say that a better double feature is Love Affair from 1939 and An Affair to Remember from 1957. This is especially since they were both directed by the same director, Leo McCarey. I guess that would mean the 1957 film is an official remake. The Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant roles are played by Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. Also, if you did this it would give me an excuse to actually watch the 1939 film, which I’ve never seen, but really want to. since I really like Dunne as an actress. She’s become a bit overlooked, because her movies were often remade and the remakes became more famous such as the case above.
And to show that I don’t only watch movies from the 1930’s-1950’s, one I enjoyed recently, within the past year, was The Sure Thing from 1985.
And I keep coming up with nominations. The Quiet Man from 1952 with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara and the Thin Man Films beginning with the Thin Man in 1934 with William Powell and Myrna Loy. The second is a comedy/mystery series, but it features a main married couple who obviously loves each other judging by the first film.
I’m incredibly amused. My very first thought was that you had to review Desk Set. I think it has held up remarkably well, given that it’s largely about the introduction of new technology in the workplace.
Has anyone mentioned “Overboard” with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell? While you have to throw logic out the window, it’s got some great moments, especially how the heroine discovered her inner strengths. Good supporting cast, too.
@Darlene: That’s a great suggestion – I completely forgot about that one. I really dig that movie!