Rom-Coms: The movies you hate to love

Kaitlyn Ford '25

Disclaimer: When I first started this idea, I thought I could critique the stereotypical cliche movies that often reinforce generic gender stereotypes that I so often openly fight. But then I realized I’m a sucker for popcorn nights alongside the basic romance movies that are so predictable but yet so good. 

10 Things I Hate About You 

This cliché teen love story has the basic idea of a guy getting paid to take out a girl. Never expecting to catch feelings, they both do. There are heartbreaks, tears, and even butterfly moments. Junior, Jaela Staker said, “I loved how the movie isn't only focused on their love but the sisterhood. I also like how Patrick grows with Kat.” Likewise, Junior, Kenzie Lemkau adores this romcom and said, “It is a practical enemy to lovers,  my favorite trope, and Heath Ledger is just such a good-looking man so I overall love the plot of the movie, and the ending speech has such good acting and I just know they would still be together today.”

Pro: 

☆How they represent the woman. The main character, Kat, is shown as an independent woman who does not cave into the society around her. She sticks up for herself and others - she even participates in protests. 

☆Patrick serenades Kat with a fun cover of “Can’t Take my Eyes off of You.” This part of the movie is cute because Patrick finds a way to win Kat back by going the extra mile to make up for his wrongs. The chaos of the scene, like him running from the security guards also allows for a welcomed comedic relief.  

Cons: 

☆Cliche is overly done. The way that the writers present the characters most are so cliche that it loses the effect. It is simply a basic popular guy compared to the bad-boy leather jacket type guy and then this girl that no one wants.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

This romantic comedy dives into the concept of both people in the relationship using each other for their personal gain. Neither of them expected to fall in love with the other. They keep secrets from one another and once they both find out, they express anger and raw emotions. Until they realize that they both messed up and gave each other second chances at a true, honest life together. “ I like how they both are playing each other and it’s not one-sided,” said Jaela. Kenzie, also agrees with the fondness of the dramatic irony that takes place. “I love that her character is portrayed as someone who does not need a love interest. I also love how they both end up liking each other in the end, as well as how they got there. The fact that she made a genuine connection, and when she is with his family she puts down her facade,” Kenzie said.

Pros:

☆ Great humor with details and overall plot. For example, Andie’s dog sucks - he is ugly, he is crusty, and he pees on Ben’s stuff. This added detail that creates comical chaos and a little bit of dramatic irony also highlights the situation in the plot where Ben can’t get mad no matter how much he wants to and Andie even with her best attempts of making things worse to lose the guy will never work.  

☆The actors work so well together - The chemistry is unbelievable. They as a couple, look so good together. Which all in all makes the film even better!

Cons:

 ☆ There is none

She's All That

Another cliché movie where the jock gets broken up with by his cheerleader girlfriend. After being insulted about his embarrassing breakup from his bros, he takes on the task of getting the nerdy girl no one's eyes follow. In the end, they do fall in love and she is crowned prom queen. “Personally, I HATE this movie. It’s stereotypical to the point where it makes me mad. It's extremely predictable and is set up badly. Overall it's just a poor movie that I would not recommend to someone else," said Jaela. Holding similar sentiments of disgust, Kenzie Lemkau said, “I feel like that movie no matter what time period it is produced, it will always be a bad cliché movie. Due to the fact that the main character was seen as ugly before she took off her glasses, That plot is so cheesy, overused, and in general just plain dumb.” 

Cons: 

 ☆ Poor casting. Not the acting itself, but  Rachael Leigh Cook, the lead actress, as Laney, really is all that. She doesn’t even remotely resemble the cliche of “the unattractive nerdy girl.” She is not what someone would consider to be unattractive like the writers attempt to do. 

☆ The setting. For a movie that takes place in the halls of high school, there is little part of the movie situated within the high school walls itself. For teen viewers, the familiarity of a classroom or interactions with teachers is what should usually bring the movie to life. 

A little twist: My bloody Valentine

A group of friends that thought Valentines would just be a normal day discover the tale of a legendary murderer is real. Then making them face the consequences. Again, you could look more into the film to write a better synopsis than this

☆Pro If you’re not a fan of cliche romance movies, but a fan of horror movies, this would be a movie for you to watch this Valentine’s Day

☆Con: Not highly rated, so don’t expect much of a scare from this 2009 slasher film. 

Take some time, get some classic movie snacks with popcorn, and watch these rom-coms! Tell us your opinion on them :)