The Rom Com Rewrite

But what if Mr Malcolm had written a more interesting list?

Mr Malcolm's List Year: 2022 Written by: Suzanne Allain Based on the novel by: Suzanne Allain Directed by: Emma Holly Jones Stars: Zawe Ashton, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Sope Dirisu, Theo James, Freida Pinto, Ashley Park

Show notes:

We love this film. Seriously. Full marks for performances, set, locations, score, costumes and more where this month's film is concerned. Nevertheless, we have some notes on language & mores, our all-important B couple and the eponymous list.

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

In this episode we mention the TV shows Pride And Prejudice (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112130/), Bridgerton (2020-) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8740790/) and Downton Abbey (2010-2015) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606375/) as well as the film Gosford Park (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280707/). We also mention the novel Pride and Prejudice (1813) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice) and the play Much Ado About Nothing (1598?) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Much_Ado_About_Nothing).

Incidentally, the Mozart opera Charles Adrian was mostly likely thinking of is The Marriage Of Figaro (1786) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marriage_of_Figaro) and you can find out more about "the world's first purpose-built public art gallery", aka the Dulwich Picture Gallery (1811), here: https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/.

Next month we [are planning to watch The Apartment (1960) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053604/)] will watch Always Be My Maybe (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374948/).

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!

"They are very small poops and I make sure it's only after greens."

Players Year: 2024 Written by: Whit Anderson Directed by: Trish Sie Stars: Gina Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr., Tom Ellis, Augustus Prew, Joel Courney, Liza Koshy

Show notes:

This very charming film gets past a somewhat gross set-up to persuade us that its lovers belong together. Good job, film!

In this episode we mention the film Someone Great (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8075260/) and the book The Game (2005) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Game:_Penetrating_the_Secret_Society_of_Pickup_Artists).

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!

Who knew Mattifer (Jenthew?) would have so much chemistry!

The Wedding Planner Year: 2001 Written by: Pamela Falk and Michael Ellis Directed by: Adam Shankman Stars: Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey

Show notes:

This podcast is now three years old!!! To celebrate, Lisa and Charles Adrian watched J Lo and Matt McConaughey do everything they need to do in this genuinely sweet and funny romantic comedy from the very beginning of the century.

The plot summary of this film finishes at about 10 minutes into the episode, in case you would like to skip it.

In this episode we mention the films: Speed (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111257/) Failure To Launch* (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427229/) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119738/) Sliding Doors (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120148/) Rye Lane* (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15893750/) An Affair to Remember (1957) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050105/) Sleepless In Seattle* (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/) Casablanca (1942) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/) When Harry Met Sally* (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/) Marry Me (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10223460/) Hustlers (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5503686/) The Watermelon Woman (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118125/) Stud Life* (2012) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1758770/) Appropriate Behaviour (2014) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3077108/) 500 Days Of Summer (2009) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1022603/)

And the TV series: Superstore (2015-2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4477976/)

*Films marked with an asterisk 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!

Can men and women ever really be friends??

When Harry Met Sally Year: 1989 Written by: Nora Ephron Directed by: Rob Reiner Stars: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan

Show notes:

This month Lisa and Charles Adrian invite you to spend New Year with them, enjoying one of the most perfect rom coms ever made.

In this episode we mention the film Same Time, Next Year (1978) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078199/) and the TV show How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460649/).

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!

You think Christmas is bad in your house??

Merry & Gay Year: 2022 Written by: Christin Baker Based on a story by: Maggie Cummings and Megan Ullrich Directed by: Christin Baker Stars: Dia Frampton, Andi René Christensen

Show notes:

This movie has good bones but Single All The Way deserved more from its queer sibling.

Correction: we are not 0 for 4 at this point, as Charles Adrian says towards the end of the episode. We are only 0 for 3.

In this episode we mention the films: Notting Hill (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/) You've Got Mail (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/) 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147800/) Single All The Way (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14315756/)

and the TV shows: Crazy Ex Girlfriend (2015-2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4094300/) Friends (1994-2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108778/) A League Of Their Own (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8226360/)

You can find the Guardian 'How we met' article Charles Adrian mentions here: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/30/how-we-met-dressed-up-as-horse-i-was-the-bum.

Next month we will be watching When Harry Met Sally (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/)

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 month we watch a fun three-minute sketch that goes on for an hour and twenty-three minutes.

They Came Together Year: 2014 Written by: Michael Showalter and David Wain Directed by: David Wain Stars: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler

Show notes:

In this episode there are digressions into the worlds of improv and sketch comedy, whether it is even possible to lovingly send up Romantic Comedy, why send-ups of Murder Mystery work so much better, genre, fandom, and patchworking.

We mention the films: Knives Out (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8946378/) See How They Run (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13640696/) Wet Hot American Summer (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243655/) Don't Think Twice (2016) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4972062/) When Harry Met Sally (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/) You've Got Mail (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/) Scary Movie (2000) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0175142/) Another Gay Movie (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443431/) Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107977/) Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102798/) Star Wars (etc) (1977) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/) Space Balls (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094012/) Dirty Dancing (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/)

and the TV shows: Only Murders In The Building (2021-) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11691774/) Brooklyn 99 (2013-2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2467372/) Reno 911 (2003-) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0370194/) Neighbours (1985-) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088580/)

We also mention the radio programme and podcast This American Life (https://www.thisamericanlife.org/).

More information about the comedy troupe The State can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_State_(comedy_troupe).

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 Toddlers' Choice this week on the Rom Com Rewrite!

Choose Love Year: 2023 Written by: Josann McGibbon Directed by: Stuart McDonald Stars: Laura Marano, Avan Jogia, Scott Michael Foster, Jordi Webber

Show notes:

This rom com is interactive! Viewers get to decide what happens to our heroine! This rom com has broken our podcast.

In this episode we mention the films Groundhog Day (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/), Palm Springs (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9484998/), Sliding Doors (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120148/), About Time (2013) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194499/), Past Lives (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13238346/), They Came Together (2014) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2398249/) and the Meg Ryan directed What Happens Later (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19890316/). We also mention the TV show Bandersnatch (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9495224/) and the Choose Your Own Adventure book series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure).

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!

Sex haze meets trauma, with private jets.

Red, White & Royal Blue Year: 2023 Screenplay by: Matthew López and Ted Malawer Based on the novel by: Casey McQuiston Directed by: Matthew López Stars: Nicholas Galitzine, Taylor Zakhar Perez

Show notes:

This is such a gorgeous film.

In this episode we mention the book Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice), the films You've Got Mail (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/), The Princess Diaries (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247638/) and Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109831/), the tv series The West Wing (1999-2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200276/), and the work of P.G. Wodehouse as read by Stephen Fry (https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/PG-Wodehouse-Volume-1-Audiobook/B08QDKDNK9).

You can find out more about London's V&A museum here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/

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 is less than perfect.

The Perfect Find Year: 2023 Screenplay by: Leigh Davenport Based on the book by: Tia Williams Directed by: Numa Perrier Stars: Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers

Show notes:

For a film that loves films, this film could work on loving itself more. The very talented stars of this film deserved better! We get right into fixing this month.

In this episode we mention the TV shows Ridiculousness (2011- ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1820166/) and You've Been Framed (1990-2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0204113/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1).

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!

The Croatian tourist board did good with this one.

Faraway

Year: 2023

Written by: Jane Ainscough

Based on a story idea by: Alex Kendall

Directed by: Vanessa Jopp

Stars: Naomi Krauss, Goran Bogdan

Show notes:

Croatia. Oh yes.

In this episode, we mention the films Shirley Valentine (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098319/), Under The Tuscan Sun (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328589/), Love Actually (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/), Pillow Talk (1959) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053172/) and the radio (1985-1989) and TV (1988-1992) series After Henry (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092314/). The film about elephants somewhere in Africa that stars Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe is called Holiday In The Wild (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8510488/) and is, in fact, set in Zambia.

The song 99 Luftballons is by Nena (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMSlTQmDLx4).

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 (martinzaltzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.

Thank you for listening!