The Rom Com Rewrite

Whom amongst us has not carried a watermelon?

Content note for this episode: Roe v. Wade, abortion, bodily autonomy, reproductive justice.

Dirty Dancing

Year: 1987

Written by: Eleanor Bergstein

Director: Emile Ardolino

Stars: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey

Show notes:

With one of the most iconic meet-cutes in the history of cinema, some serious obstacles and an all-time great happy ending, this might be the best rom com ever made. Is it really a rom com, though? Who cares when it's the best freaking film in the history of cinema!

In this episode, we mention The Wedding Year (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8367184/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt), which we covered more fully in our previous episode. Lisa also talks about the film That Thing You Do (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117887/), the TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4094300/?ref_=nm_knf_t1) and the band Fountains of Wayne (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountains_of_Wayne), all of which featured music by Adam Schlesinger. She also references Titanic (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/). The intensely erotic upside-down Spiderman kiss that Charles Adrian mentions is from the 2002 film Spider-Man (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145487/) starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

We also reflect, from about 28 minutes in until about 36 minutes in, on how the story of Penny's abortion is handled in this film and how differently that part of the film hits now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned in the US.

This episode features a contribution from Charles Adrian's younger sister Lissa Gillott.

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!

One of these films is better than the other. Boomshakalaka.

The Wedding Year Year: 2019 Screenplay by: Donald Diego

Director: Robert Luketic

Stars: Sarah Hyland, Tyler James Williams

Plus One

Year: 2019

Written and directed by: Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer

Stars: Jack Quaid, Maya Erskine

Show notes:

June is the beginning of big-time wedding season in the UK so when better to compare and contrast these two multi-wedding-themed rom-coms? The watchword for this month's episode is COMMITMENT.

In this episode we reference Friends With Benefits (2011) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1632708/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) and No Strings Attached (2011) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1411238/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), which were the subject of our fifth episode. Charles Adrian also mentions the TV show Greenleaf (which he loves) (2016-2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4971144/).

In July, we will be watching DIRTY DANCING!!!!!!!! (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

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!

You have to put your own oxygen mask on first, folks. That's just how it is.

I Want You Back

Year: 2022

Written by: Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger

Director: Jason Orley

Stars: Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto, Clark Backo

Show notes:

This six-some reel of a film feels simultaneously up-to-date and out of time. And it might just be (for Charles Adrian, at least) too funny?

In this episode, we reference the musical Little Shop Of Horrors (first published 1982) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(musical)) and the films Sleepless In Seattle (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/), The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405422/) and When Harry Met Sally (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) (Sleepless In Seattle is also the subject of our 12th episode, btw). We namecheck Nancy Meyers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Meyers) and the "Polish guy who used to wake his actors up", whose name Charles Adrian can't remember at around the 31 minute mark, is Jerzy Grotowski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerzy_Grotowski).

In June, we will be watching the films Plus One (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7645122/) and The Wedding Year (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8367184/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0).

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!

It takes all sorts to make the lesbian nation. Thank goodness. Go watch this film!

Stud Life

Year: 2012

Written by: Campbell Ex

Director: Campbell Ex

Stars: T'Nia Miller, Kyle Treslove, Robyn Kerr

Show notes:

In a world where MySpace is still a thing, JJ, Seb and Elle work out their various issues in this British indie that might or might not be a rom com. Don't worry: Lisa and Charles Adrian weigh in.

We reference the films Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109831/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) and Resort To Love (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12929990/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0). (Resort To Love is the subject of the 9th episode of this podcast.)

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!

"All I can think is… what a misuse of the wonderful Queen Latifah." Lisa Findley

"Cry emoji, cry emoji, cry emoji." Charles Adrian

Just Wright

Year: 2010

Written by: Michael Elliot

Director: Sanaa Hamri

Stars: Queen Latifah, Common

Show notes:

We cannot in all conscience recommend this film, although Queen Latifah is wonderful in it. And other people are very good in it too. And it contains one of the best meet cutes we've seen. It's just a mess of a movie (in our opinion; ymmv*) and we are ready to tell you why.

We mention the book The Rules, Time-tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right (1995) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rules), the films Grease (1978) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077631/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), The Bodyguard (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103855/) and Last Holiday (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408985/), and the podcast You're Wrong About (https://yourewrongabout.com/).

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!

*ymmv = your mileage may vary, used to mean that people's tastes and preferences differ and that's fine.

Lisa and Charles Adrian round off their holiday season with one of the most beloved rom coms ever made. Which, they decide, might not actually be a rom com. This episode was not supposed to be a take down of Sleepless In Seattle but that is what it has turned into. Sorry not sorry.

Sleepless In Seattle

Year: 1993

Screenplay by: Nora Ephron, David S. Ward, Jeff Arch

Based on a story by: Jeff Arch

Director: Nora Ephron

Stars: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger, Rosie O'Donnell

Show notes:

Straightforwardly plumping for magic over security and for fantasy over reality, Sleepless In Seattle is for sure a film about yearning and it is certainly very funny and beautifully written and well-made, but is it romantic? We prepare to upset literally millions of fans by arguing that this film is not the rom com that it purports to be and that it is, in fact, about a woman who abuses her position as a journalist to stalk a man who is still mourning his dead wife.

We mention the films An Affair To Remember (1957) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050105/), Joe Versus The Volcano (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099892/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), While You Were Sleeping (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), When Harry Met Sally (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), You've Got Mail (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) and Fatal Attraction (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093010/).

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!

Lisa and Charles Adrian's extended Christmas season continues with a Netflix-produced, gay-themed, family-focused rom com.

Single All The Way

Year: 2021

Written by: Chad Hodge

Director: Michael Mayer

Stars: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers

Show notes:

Is there to be no end to these excellent Christmas rom coms? Spoilers be damned, we loved this gay ass film.

We mention the film While You Were Sleeping (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), which was the subject of our previous episode, the TV series Schitt's Creek (2015-2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3526078/), which features Jennifer Robertson as Jocelyn Schitt, and the films Dumplin' (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4878482/), Hocus Pocus (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/) and Sister Act (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105417/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), which all star Kathy Najimi.

Here is the definition of 'plant gay' in the Urban Dictionary: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=plant%20gay and their definition of 'guncle' is here: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=guncle.

Next month we are planning to watch Sleepless In Seattle.

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!

This month, Lisa and Charles Adrian give themselves an early Christmas present.

While You Were Sleeping

Year: 1995

Screenplay by: Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow

Director: Jon Turtletaub

Stars: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher

Show notes:

While You Were Sleeping is one of Lisa's favourite films; she has watched it many, many times. Charles Adrian was watching this for, maybe, the third time. It's a great film. We like it so much.

In this episode, we acquit Lucy of the charge of being creepy, investigate the mystery of the missing meet-cute and propose two small changes to raise what is already a perfect rom com to greater perfection. Merry Christmas already.

You can watch the trailer for While You Were Sleeping here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJxyUvkB_E

Next month we are planning to watch Single All The Way, which is due to be released on Netflix on 2nd December, 2021.

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!

Surely designed to make you want to go to Mauritius, Lisa and Charles Adrian find that this month's rom com is a lot more than just an advertising feature.

Resort To Love

Year: 2021

Screenplay by: Tabi McCartney and Dana Schmalenberg

Based on a story by: Tabi McCartney

Director: Steven K. Tsuchida

Stars: Christina Milian, Jay Pharoah, Sinqua Walls, Christini Pitts

Show notes:

Resort To Love is a really good rom com. It's a solidly built, satisfying, funny, well-written, well-acted rom com with a beautiful soundtrack and dreamy locations. But would we pay to see it at the cinema? Maybe. We don't know. We streamed it on Netflix. And how is it different from the great rom coms of yesteryear? Is it really so different from them? What makes a great rom com anyway? We are not sure. But we have some ideas.

Other films mentioned in this episode are: Joe Versus The Volcano (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099892/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 – also the subject of episode 8 of this podcast), To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3846674/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 – also the subject of episode 2 of this podcast), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147800/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 – also the subject of episode 1 of this podcast), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119738/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800039/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), Love's Last Resort (2017) (the synopsis of which is here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6398360/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), You've Got Mail (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), Sliding Doors (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120148/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) and Christina Milian's previous Netflix outing Falling Inn Love (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9860728/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0).

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!

For this month's episode, long-time listener first-time caller Liz Bailey joins Lisa and Charles Adrian from Cardiff for a wide-ranging discussion about the first film in the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan cinematic universe.

Joe Versus The Volcano

Year: 1990

Screenplay by: John Patrick Shanley

Director: John Patrick Shanley

Stars: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan

Show notes:

Is this a rom com? In this episode we more or less abandon our search for meet-cutes, obstacles and happy endings in order to zero in on what each of us want from a romantic film that may, like this one, also be very funny. Some of us have also climbed volcanoes in real life.

You can find an image of the poster for this film on imdb.com here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099892/

Charles Adrian references the artist L. S. Lowry, who you can read about on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._S._Lowry. Liz references filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, who you can read about on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Luc_Godard, and the Tom Hanks/Shelley Long film The Money Pit (1986) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091541/). Also mentioned are the films High Society (1956) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049314/), Twister (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117998/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), Jurassic Park (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), Jaws (1975) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), Die Hard (1988) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) and She's All That (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160862/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0), as well as Jane Austin's Persuasion (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persuasion_(novel)).

We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that. Also, due to circumstances beyond our control, there is some noise of pneumatic drilling intermittently audible in the background of this episode from about 28 minutes in; apologies for that too.

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

Thank you for listening!