The Rom Com Rewrite

This is a film you can safely drag your straight boyfriend to.

Holidate Year: 2020 Written by: Tiffany Paulson Directed by: John Whitesell Stars: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey

Show notes:

"I think that's, like, the straightest movie I've seen in a while" - Lisa Findley

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

In this episode we mention the films: Our Little Secret* (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31022050/) Failure To Launch* (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427229/) Single All The Way* (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14315756/) Titanic (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/)

And the TV series: Home For Christmas (Hjem til jul) (2019-2025) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10069398/)

*These films have previously been featured on the podcast.

We also reference the book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus (1992) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_Are_from_Mars,_Women_Are_from_Venus).

If you want to read more about the 'cool girl' and 'pick me' tropes, Cosmopolitan has articles on them here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a32077/chill-girl-falls-in-love/ and here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a42134933/what-is-a-pick-me-girl-definition/.

You can watch Paul Rudd pranking Conan O'Brien with fake movie clips on YouTube starting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rcqGBrHDtw&list=PLSYFbhIZUHHQEbPrCyoPawoiXVIooGZgN

Next month we are going to watch Going The Distance (2010) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322312/).

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!

La Lohan is back with another Christmas rom com.

Our Little Secret Year: 2024 Written by: Hailey DeDominicis Directed by: Stephen Herek Stars: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth

Show notes:

The second of Lindsay Lohan's forays into festive romance is more interesting than the first but it still needs a little work (no pun intended). Luckily, we have ideas.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 14 minutes into the episode.

In this episode we mention the films: Falling For Christmas* (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14715170/) The Family Stone (2005) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356680/) While You Were Sleeping* (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/)

And the TV series: Derry Girls (2018-2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7120662/) Greenleaf (2016-2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4971144/)

*These films have previously been featured on the podcast.

Next month we plan to watch Holidate (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9866072/).

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!

Good bread and bad boyfriends!

Something from Tiffany's Year: 2022 Screenplay by: Tamara Chestna Based on the book by: Melissa Hill Directed by: Daryl Wein Stars: Zoey Deutch, Kendrick Sampson, Ray Nicholson, Shay Mitchell, Leah Jeffries, Jojo T. Gibbs

Show notes:

We have some fixes to turn this perfectly charming seasonal film into an absolute banger.

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

In this episode we mention the films: Rye Lane* (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15893750/) Bridesmaids (2011) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478338/) Bringing Up Baby (1938) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029947/) Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054698/)

And the TV series: Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1578873/) You (2018-2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7335184/)

*This film has previously been featured on the podcast.

Next month we are going to watch Our Little Secret (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31022050/).

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 are from Pentatonix, men are from Mac L'Amour.

Meet Me Next Christmas Year: 2024 Written by: Molly Haldeman and Camilla Rubis Directed by: Rusty Cundieff Stars: Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Pentatonix

Show notes:

Meet us THIS MONTH for Christmas with Christina Milian! We loved her in Resort To Love.

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

In this episode we mention the films: Going The Distance (2010) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322312/) Girls Trip (2017) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3564472/) Really Love (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8722624/) Garden State (2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0333766/) Ghost (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099653/) Resort To Love* (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12929990/) Overboard (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093693/)

*This film has previously been featured on the podcast.

In case you are curious about "that SNL sketch that thingummy and thingummy used to do of the weird nordic couple who live in a strange house", this is one version of it: https://youtu.be/OXt0J2K0nEg?si=KMDZXp1UQYLUJTov

Next month we are going to watch another Christmas Rom Com but we don't know which one yet.

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!

These two films map so brilliantly onto one another. They are neither of them quite what we would call a rom com but, in both cases, for interesting reasons.

A Family Affair Year: 2024 Written by: Carrie Solomon Directed by: Richard LaGravenese Stars: Nicole Kidman, Zac Effron, Joey King

The Idea of You Year: 2024 Screenplay by: Michael Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt Novel by: Robinne Lee Directed by: Michael Showalter Stars: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galatzine, Ella Rubin

Show notes:

"Maybe you're an amazing duck" - Lisa Findley's message for Zac Efron.

By the way, we don't mean to dismiss or belittle anyone who is in their early twenties (or younger). We are in our forties. It feels like a long time ago.

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

In this episode we mention the films: High School Musical (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475293/) Born On The Fourth Of July (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096969/) Mission: Impossible (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117060/) The Break-up (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452594/) Red, White & Royal Blue* (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10172266/)

*This film has previously been featured on the podcast.

Correction: Harry Styles was just 16 years old in 2010 when he auditioned for the TV show The X Factor, which lead to him becoming part of One Direction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Styles). Robbie Williams was also 16 when he joined Take That in 1990 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbie_Williams).

For next month's episode we were going to watch Going The Distance (2010) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322312/) but in fact we ended up watching Meet Me Next Christmas (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20502488/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt). We will watch Going The Distance at some point next year - promise!

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!

"She understands the truth of things even through all the lies. That's the whole film."

Housesitter Year: 1992 Screenplay by: Mark Stein Story by: Mark Stein and Brian Grazer Directed by: Frank Oz Stars: Steve Martin, Goldie Hawn

Show notes:

A house that was too big for a woman's finger, sketched on a napkin and left for another woman to fill. We love this rom com with its gorgeous, forty-seven-year-old leads.

This episode contains a disquisition on domestic architecture.

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

In this episode we mention the films: Mary Poppins (1964) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058331/) Death Becomes Her (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104070/) First Wives Club (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116313/)

Manic Pixie Dream Girl is a term coined by the critic Nathan Rabin and you can read more about it on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manic_Pixie_Dream_Girl.

Next month we are going to watch The Idea Of You (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9466114/) and A Family Affair (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21051906/).

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!

Anything but this, frankly.

Anyone But You Year: 2023 Screenplay by: Ilana Wolpert and Will Gluck Story by: Ilana Wolpert Directed by: Will Gluck Stars: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell

Show notes:

Apologies to anyone who liked this film. We lay into it pretty comprehensively. But then, honestly, any time you want to set yourself up against William Shakespeare you'd better bring your very best (in our humble opinion).

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward a little over thirteen minutes into the episode.

In this episode we talk a lot about the play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, which this film makes much of being based on. You can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Much_Ado_About_Nothing.

We also mention the films: Titanic (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/) Much Ado About Nothing (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107616/) Red, White & Royal Blue* (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10172266/) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119738/) Set It Up (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5304992/) Friends With Benefits* (2011) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1632708/)

And the TV show The Bear (2022- ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14452776/)

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

The Ashton Kutcher film Charles Adrian is trying to get Lisa to watch for the podcast is A Lot Like Love (2005) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0391304/).

Next month we are going to watch Housesitter (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104452/).

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!

"If you didn't think you had a thing for Kevin Kline before… that scene is gonna give you one."

French Kiss Year: 1995 Written by: Adam Brooks Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan Stars: Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Timothy Hutton

Show notes:

Why is this film not easier to find (in the UK)?? This is one of the best rom coms on the market.

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

In this episode we mention the films: I.Q.* (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110099/) Le Bonheur Est Dans Le Pré (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112556/) Le Diner des Cons (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119038/) To All The Boys I've Loved Before* (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3846674/) Grease (1978) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077631/) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119738/)

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

Also, speaking of wine and the enjoyment of wine, Charles Adrian would like to recommend one of his favourite films, Uncorked (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9261218/)

Next month we are going to watch Anyone But You (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26047818/).

The 'Much Ado' that Lisa mentions towards the end of this episode is the play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, which you can read about here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Much_Ado_About_Nothing.

In case of need, here is a list of all the Meg Ryan films featured on the podcast to date: Episode 8: Joe Versus The Volcano (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099892/) Episode 12: Sleepless In Seattle (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/) Episode 27: You've Got Mail (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/) Episode 34: When Harry Met Sally (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/) Episode 39: I.Q. (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110099/) Episode 40: French Kiss (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113117/)

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!

Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Walter Mathau… this film is cute and fun with a great cast. But it needs more work.

I.Q. Year: 1994 Written by: Andy Breckman and Michael Leeson Based on a story by: Andy Breckman Directed by: Fred Schepisi Stars: Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Walter Mathau, Lou Jacobi, Gene Saks, Joseph Maher, Stephen Fry

Show notes:

This month, Lisa and Charles Adrian go deep into this apparently light and breezy romantic comedy about the life and loves of Albert Einstein's putative niece.

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

In this episode we mention the films:

French Kiss (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113117/) Room With A View (1985) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091867/) Always Be My Maybe* (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374948/)

*This film has previously been featured on the podcast.

You can read more about the novel Room With A View (1908) by E. M. Forster on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Room_with_a_View.

The article about having many wealthy babies that Lisa mentions is this one: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/may/25/american-pronatalists-malcolm-and-simone-collins

Next month we are going to watch French Kiss.

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!

No notes. This is a gorgeous, funny, beautifully-performed, character-driven rom com.

Always Be My Maybe Year: 2019 Written by: Ali Wong, Randall Park & Michael Golamco Directed by: Nahnatchka Khan Stars: Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau, Vivian Bang, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Dae Kim

Show notes:

This month Lisa and Charles Adrian try very hard to put their fingers on exactly how it is that this rom com is as good as it is.

If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward 9 and a half minutes into the episode.

Correction: when we talk about the Billy Eichner film Bros, we call it Boys. We mean Bros.

In this episode we mention the films: The Apartment (1960) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053604/) Notting Hill (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/) Bros* (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9731598/) Saving Face* (2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384504/) Dirty Dancing* (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/) 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/)

And the TV series: Don't Trust The B In Apartment 23 (2012-2013) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1819509/) Tuca & Bertie (2019-2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8036272/) Fresh Off The Boat (2015-2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3551096/)

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

You can find a list of Hallmark Christmas movies on imdb here: https://m.imdb.com/list/ls068976997/ and you can read about Chekhov's Gun on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov%27s_gun.

Next month we are planning to watch either or both of the following Meg Ryan-led rom coms: French Kiss (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113117/) and IQ (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110099/).

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!