EVERYONE craves for good movies to watch in their free time. Genres of contemporary movies for some can be overwhelming, too serious, or simply unfitting their taste. That is why they seek the nostalgia of the 90s and 2000s to capture the ease and humor of watching movies.
Here are the top five nostalgic RomCom to watch on weekends:
She’s The Man (2006)
No one acts a man better than Viola Hastings, played by Amanda Bynes, in her prime. She’s The Man is a modern recreation of Shakespeare classic, Twelfth Night.
In an attempt to prove that she has what it takes to be a successful and better soccer player after the women’s team gets cut, Viola decided to prove that she could not let her skills and passion be wasted in the sexist whims of her coach and ex-boyfriend.
Driven with eagerness to prove them wrong, with her brother coincidentally leaving for London for a band, and bearing a somewhat similar resemblance with the help of a few make-over; a bold idea came into light. She pretended to be his brother, Sebastian, taking his identity in the elite boarding school of Illyria to compete against her old school.
Playing the man as Sebastian, she shared a room with the popular jock and soccer team captain, Duke Orsino played by the ever-charming Channing Tatum. From Duke’s unusual and awkward first impression of Viola as the fake Sebastian, she made an elaborate move to gain his good side for an advantage on the field. From that sprang an unexpected friendship that grew into a trap of romance.
Things go beyond Viola’s grasp when love starts to complicate her fake life. Viola started to fall in love with Duke; Duke had his eyes directed towards Olivia, a popular student in the same school; while Olivia in an amusing twist had an attraction towards Viola who is cosplaying as the fake Sebastian.
Amanda Bynes playing the dual role as a woman and a man is the cream of the crop in this film. Her comedic timing and overall chemistry with Channing Tatum makes it entertaining. The film takes gender-swapping in a comically exaggerated manner inducing a humorous score while aiming at the social issues such as traditional gender roles and the misogyny that exists in the sports industry.
In the end, Duke and Viola found what they needed the most. Duke’s desire for love was reciprocated while Viola found a man in Duke— a man to genuinely support her without being insecure of her capabilities and potential as a woman.
Ten Things I Hate About You (1999)
Starred by the late Heath Ledger as Patrick and Julia Stiles as Kat, along with Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron and Larisa Oleynik as Bianca playing Kat’s sister, this film is a perfect mix of the sweet old highschool romance with the compelling teenage drama. The story is entangled in the different lives of these four main characters.
Living with a strict and protective father, Kat and Bianca had their desires hindered for them. For Kat, it’s the opportunity to study in New York; for Bianca it’s the shallow dream to date his ideal guy, Joey. But in the most unlikely condition, their father would only allow Bianca to date a guy after her sister does. The only catch is that her sister, Kat has the most antisocial behavior in a person making the condition an impossible task.
There enters the character of Cameron— a guy deeply infatuated with Bianca. Bianca took advantage of his genuine feelings, using Cameron to find a man for Kat so she can finally date Joey. Due to her cold and tough personality, Cameron looked for someone to rival her toughness which he found in Patrick and his rebellious persona. But to fully convince Patrick to date Kat, they paid him abundantly. Not knowing that their schemes will blow right into their faces after romance eventually reigned between the two.
Cameron and Bianca’s chemistry was to watch in this film— a teenage-like flutter that is a perfect contrast to the slightly serious romance between Patrick and Kat. But the highlight of the film comes in one of the most iconic performances in cinema history of Heath Ledger’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. This grand gesture was dedicated to Kat after their initial conflict. It standardized the most romantic thing a guy could do in the name of love.
This film portrays the danger of peer pressure in a teenage setting. Like Bianca’s desire to date someone to achieve a certain status that cost serious consequences. It is even present on Kat’s experiences, after having a one-time sexual intercourse for the sake of it, Joey, the same immature guy her sister wanted to date dropped her off like a used trash. This built a wall in her to protect herself from the same disappointment— the same wall that gradually collapsed after falling in love with Patrick only to undergo the same pain again after realizing the plans behind.
One of the remarkable scenes of the film was when Kat delivered a heartfelt poem dedicated to Patrick showcasing a brilliant and emotional performance from Julia Stiles. With love prevailing despite the dishonesty and schemes, Kat managed to forgive his scheming. That even with all the list of things she hates about him, she could never truly hate him.
Clueless (1995)
A film that could still compete against modern standards of fashion and culture. Played by Alicia Silverstone as Cher with Paul Rudd as Josh, this perfectly captures the nostalgia of the 90’s with the vintage fashion, vibrant club culture, and sweet romance.
The plot follows Cher as she navigates her teenage life along with her friend Dionne played by Stacey Dash. Born in a privileged household with his father being a litigator, her lifestyle is initially focused on vanity coupled with a superficial perspective in life, constantly pampering herself with branded clothings, luxury bags and shoes, and other trivial things. This kind of attitude provides a comedic tone within the film.
Cher, after convincing herself that she has a talent for negotiation like her father and is capable of good deeds after successfully matchmaking her strict professor to another teacher; she took another project of making an awkward transfer student, Tai, played by the late icon Brittnay Murphy into a confident and popular girl. This emerges a new friendship between them that is later strained when Tai developed infatuation with Josh.
Josh is a son of Cher’s father’s previous partner who visited their house for college break. Although, the idea that Cher and Josh at some point were step siblings somehow causes a stir among viewers. But to reiterate it, the two are not related in any means, may it be on blood or papers.
The dynamic between Cher and Josh, an innocent girl with an immature side and an intelligent and responsible man creates the fluttering chemistry between the two. Their relationship revolves around Josh fixing Cher’s mess and Cher becoming reliant on Josh. This unconsciously brings their relationship into an intimate level. Both of them are unaware of their feelings for each other but eventually found a way to recognize this after a passionate kiss.
Despite being released in the 90’s, the legacy of the film in terms of fashion styles from the plaid skirts and crop tops, matching outfits and fancy accessories that can still top as a trend today. This film also negates the stereotype that popular blondes are nothing but mean; some like Cher are simply clueless and naive on how the world works. The main character can come off as spoiled and conceited but her intention to do good for the people around her is pure.
Serendipity (2001)
A film for the hopeless romance featuring John Cusack as Jonathan and Kate Beckinsale as Sarah.
Sarah, obsessed with the idea of fate, met Jonathan after running into him one night when both tried to buy the same pair of gloves. After developing infatuation at first encounter, they went to a restaurant called Serendipity, both sharing a short yet sweet conversation. Another signal of fate comes into Sarah’s mind when both of them meet again at the second turn after coming back to the same restaurant for something they forgot.
Convinced that the night is one of its kind, they tried to play on luck and fate. They exchanged names and numbers in a dollar bill and book to test if these would lead back to their hands after some time; even entering the opposite elevator to see if they pressed on the same floor as proof that they are really meant to be together. But due to unfortunate circumstances, their fateful encounter was cut short leaving the night as a mere memory within the years that passed.
After having their own lives and engagement, feeling like something was missing in their lives, they set on a journey to look for the person they met years ago that still lingers in their minds. And in the most frustrating scenes of cat and mouse chase, they eventually found the book and dollar bill containing their names and numbers. In the end, Jonathan and Sarah broke off their engagement and cancelled the wedding plan after realizing that they never wanted it for themselves. Fate again crossed their paths leading them to a happy ending.
Although this film has an idealistic approach to romance, it shows that love cannot be forced into the expectation of others. Fate, being a mysterious and sentimental concept, encourages us to pay attention to the smallest details and carry a positive outlook on life and romance. Believing in fate may sound like a childish play but it gives people hope and a reason to believe in the beauty of love and chances.
This film also tells us that love is neither a demand nor a planned action, sometimes it can be the coincidental encounters that will bring us right to it.
Notting Hill (1999)
A timeless classic starring Julia Roberts as Anna Scott and the king of 2000s romantic comedy himself, Hugh Grant, playing as Will Thacker.
Notting Hill depicts the complexity and ambiguity of a relationship. It follows the story of Will who accidentally meets the famous actress, Anna Scott after spilling his drinNok on her clothes at the street of Notting Hill. This encounter led to an unexpected pair that is put against social expectations, criticisms, and swarms of paparazzis.
Their story is a fairy tale in essence— a common man and a high-status woman seemingly unattainable falling in love with each other. However, it has a more realistic approach to the challenges in a relationship when your partner is one of the most famous people on the planet. Anna’s insecurities as a person, Will’s doubt of Anna’s real intention, and their repeated cycle of arguing and making love; these events understand the consequences attached in the process of love.
The comedic relief from side characters also creates a humorous atmosphere. Like Will’s friends’ humane reaction when a famous celebrity suddenly walks in their friendship circle. This balances the emotional and comedic blend of the film. Also, the soundtrack, When You Say Nothing At All, playing in the background as Will and Anna shared a moment in night’s silence conceived the most romantic scene in the film.
The movie taught us that love is not solely about romance. Anna’s character is imperfect with all her impulsiveness and indecisive nature. But if there is someone to truly appreciate her for who she is and not for the face she shows in the world, it is Will’s patience and love that would truly embrace her after everything.
