The Rom Com Rewrite

Why isn't this film called Love Sleeping? Or Love You Were Sleeping? Or Actually, Love, Were You Sleeping? Or Do You Actually Love Sleeping? Or some other combination of the films Love Actually and WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING!?

Love Hard Year: 2021 Written by: Daniel Mackey and Rebecca Ewing Directed by: Hernán Jiménez Stars: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet

Show notes:

This film wants to exist at the place where Love Actually meets Die Hard but the story of a woman who falls for a guy she knows nothing about beyond how he looks makes us think of a different film entirely. There is some good stuff here, some less good stuff and one or two elephants in the room - the biggest and noisiest elephant being: why does this film reference While You Were Sleeping so much and NEVER ONCE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT???

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about eleven minutes into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films: To All The Boys I've Loved Before* (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3846674/) Always Be My Maybe* (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374948/) Love Actually (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/) Die Hard (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/) While You Were Sleeping* (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/) Home Alone (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/) Single All The Way* (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14315756/)

And the TV series: Catfish: The TV Show (2012- ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2498968/)

*Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.

Next month we are going to be talking about Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243155/).

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

This one is worth returning to - it might be better than you remember!

Runaway Bride Year: 1999 Written by: Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott Directed by: Garry Marshall Stars: Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Joan Cusack, Hector Elizondo, Rita Wilson, Paul Dooley, Christopher Meloni, Laurie Metcalf (uncredited)

Show notes:

Always the bride-to-be! This month we conclude our all-too-brief Julia Roberts mini-season with this gorgeous small-town battle of the sexes.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 11 minutes into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films: Notting Hill* (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/) Erin Brokovich (2000) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/) Pretty Woman (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100405/) Oceans Twelve (2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349903/) While You Were Sleeping* (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/) Let It Snow (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1950235/)

*Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.

Addendum: it turns out that Laura Solon, who wrote the film Let It Snow, also co-wrote (with Daisy Haggard) the brilliant and funny TV series Back To Life (2019-2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8594510)

Next month we are going to be talking about Love Hard (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10752004/).

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

It's just a film standing in front of two podcasters asking them to take it lovingly apart and put it back together better.

Notting Hill Year: 1999 Written by: Richard Curtis Directed by: Roger Michell Stars: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant

Show notes:

We really get into this one - and for 'this one' read Richard Curtis films in general and their male leads in particular. 26 years after its release there is much that is good about this film and also much to fix.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 12 minutes into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films: Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109831/) About Time (2013) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194499/) Love Actually (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/) Going the Distance* (2010) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322312/) Always Be My Maybe* (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374948/) The Idea of You* (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9466114/) Pretty Woman (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100405/)

And the TV series: Black Books (2000-2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262150/)

*Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.

Correction: We said in the last episode that Hitch might be the only rom com that centres the heterosexual man's experience. For whatever reason we forgot that Notting Hill also does this. As does Four Weddings And A Funeral. And other Richard Curtis films.

If you are interested to read more about what has been called Boarding School Syndrome, Nick Duffell's book The Making of Them is a good primer. Chapter 8 can be found in its entirety on the boardingrecovery site here: https://boardingrecovery.com/docs/leaving-home.pdf.

Next month we are going to be talking about The Runaway Bride (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163187/).

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

Women have surfaces, men have depths.

Hitch Year: 2005 Written by: Kevin Bisch Directed by: Andy Tennant Stars: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta

Show notes:

We are not aware of many rom coms that centre a straight man's experience. Maybe this is the only one. Straight men rejoice!

Content note: In this episode there is some discussion of incel culture, assault, violence and death.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 5 and a half minutes or so into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films: He's Just Not That Into You (2009) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1001508/) Jerry Maguire (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/)

And the TV series: Sex And The City (1998-2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159206/)

Next month we are going to be talking about Notting Hill (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/)

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

Always the bridesmaid never the bride.

27 Dresses Year: 2008 Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna Directed by: Anne Fletcher Stars: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Edward Burns, Judy Greer

Show notes:

This is a film about a woman who says yes and her hate-able sister and the guy they both fancy and another guy called Kevin and a closet full of dresses.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 8 and a half minutes or so into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films: The Princess Diaries (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247638/) The Devil Wears Prada (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458352/) In Her Shoes (2005) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388125/) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119738/) Last Christmas (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8623904/) A Nice Indian Boy* (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16431330/)

And the TV series: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4094300/)

*This film has previously been featured on the podcast.

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

Pride season continues!

A Nice Indian Boy Year: 2024 Written by: Eric Randall Based on the play by: Madhuri Shekar Directed by: Roshan Sethi Stars: Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff

Show notes:

Another one for the pile of films that we liked, this is a film about love and culture and family and who does the bride's family's dance at the wedding.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 10 minutes or so into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films:

The Wedding Banquet* (2025) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32214413/) DDLJ (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112870/) Milk (2008) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1013753/) Bros* (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9731598/)

*These films have previously been featured on the podcast.

If you would like to know more about OUTtv, you can read about it on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OUTtv_(Canadian_TV_channel).

Next month we are going to be talking about 27 Dresses (2008) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988595/).

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

Happy Pride Month!

The Wedding Banquet Year: 2025 Screenplay by: Andrew Ahn and James Shamus Based on the screenplay by: Ang Lee, Neil Peng and James Shamus Directed by: Andrew Ahn Stars: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan, Joan Chen, Youn Yuh-jung, Bobo Le

Show notes:

A remake of the 1993 Ang Lee film, this 2025 update is queer struggle and queer joy and green cards and IVF and family and chosen family. It's not a rom com but it's a beautiful film and we loved it.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 12 minutes into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films:

The Wedding Banquet (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107156/) Minari (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10633456/) Watermelon Woman (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118125/) Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5537002/) A Nice Indian Boy (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16431330/)

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

For our half century, a film that is approaching its whole century.

It Happened One Night Year: 1934 Screenplay by: Robert Riskin Based on the short story by: Samuel Hopkins Adams Directed by: Frank Capra Stars: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert

Show notes:

With the exception of a couple of non-consensual slaps, the words "shut up" and the title (which we think is silly), there is really nothing we would change about this 92-year-old film. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film, it begins about 7 minutes into the episode and finishes about 18 minutes in.

In this episode we mention the films:

The Philadelphia Story (1940) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032904/) Father of the Bride (1950) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042451/) When Harry Met Sally* (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/) Overboard (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093693/) Runaway Bride (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163187/) Far and Away (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104231/) Gone with the Wind (1939) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031381/) Fire Island* (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15218000/)

*These films have previously been featured on the podcast.

You can read more about the Hays Code on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hays_Code

And you can find the trapeze song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bWU1ezHLI0

Next month we are going to be talking about The Wedding Banquet (2025) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32214413/)

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

A warm bath of a film or kind of dull, depending on your point of view.

Brown Sugar Year: 2002 Screenplay by: Michael Eliot and Rick Famuyiwa Story by: Michael Eliot Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa Stars: Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Queen Latifa

Show notes:

We consider this a romance rather than a rom com so we are a bit stumped when it comes to fixes but we are resourceful and we do what we can!

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about nine and a half minutes into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films:

When Harry Met Sally* (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/) Players* (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14833464/) Nappily Ever After (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365545/) A Nice Indian Boy (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16431330/) The Wedding Banquet (2025) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32214413/) The Wedding Banquet (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107156/) Fire Island* (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15218000/)

*These films have previously been featured on the podcast.

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!

This film holds up!

Going The Distance Year: 2010 Written by: Geoff LaTulippe Directed by: Nanette Burstein Stars: Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Christina Applegate

Show notes:

Finally. A rom com that takes long distance relationships seriously.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 11 minutes and 15 seconds into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films:

Going The Distance (2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388285/) Failure To Launch* (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427229/) To All The Boys I've Loved Before* (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3846674/) Holidate* (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9866072/) Horrible Bosses (2011) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1499658/) When Harry Met Sally* (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/)

And the TV series:

Giri/Haji (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8001106/) It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 - ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472954/) SNL (aka Saturday Night Live) (1975 - ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072562/)

*These films have previously been featured on the podcast.

If you want to read more about the 'cool girl' trope we reference, Cosmopolitan has an article on it here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a32077/chill-girl-falls-in-love/.

Next month we are going to watch Brown Sugar (2002) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297037/).

If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.

Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!