Philm COLUMN

How to make the right kind of romantic movie

Romantic movies can be sickening.

They can also be joyous and hilarious and, sometimes, they can be exactly what they aim to be — unabashedly, unashamedly heartwarming.

The best lms can produce boisterous laughter followed by that always sought after tear in the eye. The worst can inspire unwanted laughter and the dreaded roll of the eye.

It is an art when done right, a catastrophe when done wrong. Any time you watch a movie and think “This is great” or “This is awful,” just know that there were decisions made that led to those reward or consequences.

When playing around with love, the line between authentic and cheesy is dangerously easy to cross.

So here are the keys, according to this writer’s mind, behind the best romantic lms.

Break the narrative trope

How often have you heard this story? The girl and the guy (or maybe the girl and the girl or the guy and the guy) meet, realize they like each other despite some obstacle in their way, eventually split becomes the obstacle interferes, and then some grand gestures wins the lover back.

Sure, it can work. So many movies have used this particular structure, some of them are bound to be good. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and

But why not do it differently? They don’t actually have to break up at any point — see “Before Sunrise.” They also don’t have to end up together — see “Broadcast News.”

Do something different, writers. Help us not know what’s going to happen. And for the love of all that is good in the world, stop with the lame, easily solvable miscommunications; they are mind numbing.

Create interesting characters

Sometimes the story doesn’t need to be complex. Sometimes good characters are enough to make a good movie.

A wonderful, and somewhat underappreciated, example of this is “Enough Said,” starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late James Gandol ni. This is a very simple story about starting a new relationship, while still being in uenced by old ones. But with great actors like Louis-Dreyfus and Gandol ni, not to mention Catherine Keener in a supporting role, beautiful characters are crafted here. You believe these are real people, and you become invested in the story.

It’s also possible to have an outlandish story and great characters. An example is “Her,” one of my favorites. Joaquin Phoenix stars as a lonely man who falls in love with his operating system, voiced by Scarlett Johansson (oh, and Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt and Olivia Wilde are supporting characters, in case that main cast wasn’t enough for you). The story is maybe more possible than I’d like to believe — everyone is walking around talking to the AI in their phones instead of other people — but it’s certainly SciFi. Yet, it’s Phoenix and Johansson’s character development that makes this movie so enthralling and heartfelt. The characters drive everything, and you’re suddenly cheering for a human-robot romance.

Pay attention to the scenery

A great way to make any lm stand out is to truly care about its look — the set design, the costuming, the locations.

The 1946 version of “Beauty and the Beast” or “La Beele et la bete” has famously been remade by Disney, both animated and live action. But the French original started with no platform and became a sensation. The decadent halls, the lavish costumes and the hairy beast costume had everything to do with this classic fairytale nding success on the silver screen.

In a story similar to “Beauty and the Beast,” Guillermo Del Toro created a visually spectacular love story with “The Shape of Water,” where a mute Sally Hawkins character falls in love with an amphibious man, perceived as grotesque by others. The visuals between woman and beast are powerful here, but also the atmospheric 1960s high security laboratory set design is a joy to take in. It’s a spectacle for the eyes.

Make it funny

Some romantic lms aren’t trying to be and don’t need to be funny. But for the ones that do have that goal, the writers and actors better hit the mark. Nothing is worse than watching a supposed comedy that doesn’t make you laugh.

When it comes to the lighter hearted rom com fare, plenty have hit the mark. “Crazy, Stupid, Love” features an all-star cast, including Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. This is a lm that never tries to go too deep. It uses its funny actors to deliver funny dialogue. It’s a love story (or stories) through and through, but it never forgets about the punchline, and the jokes are natural.

In the widely loved “Bridesmaids,” the funny comes before the love story. Jokes on top of gags on top of embarrassments pound the viewer over and over, until you eventually realize you’re watching an adorable romance blossom. Knowing your a comedy, that happens to have a love story, can make a major difference in what’s presented to the audience.

Make it a little weird

If all else fails, just give the audience something they haven’t seen before.

In “500 Days of Summer,” audiences were given a rst taste of the hipster genre, wherein the characters were cool, but not traditionally so. Joseph Gordon-Levvit and Zooey Deschanel star in this offbeat comedy drama romance breaks all the rom com rules and takes you for an unpredictable ride. When you boil it down, the story is very simple, but you’ll feel like you’re watching something much more complex.

“Palm Springs” is another lm that will take you all over the place. The central romance develops, as the characters deal with an endlessly frustrating time loop. Nothing makes sense, but that’s what allows the budding love at the heart of the movie to be the one thing viewers can grip onto. Another clever way to get you invested. 

Philip Weyhe is your Southern Minn Scene editor, which means he can write about what he wants (within reason). He lives in St. Peter with his husband Ian, and they enjoy all things A&E, especially movies. If you have any comments on this article or the entire Scene publications, email him at editor@southernminnscene.com.

WHAT TO WATCH

A few suggestions for your romance season:

“In the Mood for Love” — This stars Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, two of the greatest actors alive that aren’t well known in America. It’s foreign language (always watch with caption, not dubbing); it’s slow burning; nothing particularly eventful takes place. If all that doesn’t deter you, then know that is one of the most gorgeously shot and well acted lms ever made. It’s authentic, subtle, painful and af rming. “Jerry Maguire” — To me, this is the best of the lms that follow the typical rom com pattern, devastating break-up and all. The lmmakers smartly allow Cuba Gooding Jr.’s supporting character to bring all the silliness, while Tom Cruise and Renee Zelwegger quietly simmer and zzle. Amid the ridiculousness of the sporting world, those two manage to craft real, complex people, and you really believe they’d do well to be together. “The Big Sick” — This one is just so refreshing in it’s storytelling. Because it’s a true story, you don’t have to worry about dumb plot holes or gag-inducing tropes. Instead, you have a fascinating narrative, anchored by funny dialogue and great acting. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” — Sometimes, you just want to hurt. And this movie is here to provide that speci c kind of medicine. Exploring the intricacies of a relationship lost, this story tells truths that can make you feel something. “Carol” — Rich, elegant, lush. The costuming and set design create an atmosphere all their own. And when you add the powerful, but restrained performances from Cate Blanchette and Rooney Mara as star-crossed lovers in a time they weren’t supposed to be, you end up with something of a quiet explosion on the screen. “Clueless” — What’s great about this movie is that it’s not about the romance until it suddenly is. Everyone here just wants to have a fun time and bring you along for the ride, until suddenly you realize you’re cheering for the romance that’s been brewing the whole time. “When Harry Met Sally” — Sometimes, after watching the glitz and glamour and constant action of movies today, it feels good to watch something from before the 90s. You probably don’t need to be told this one’s a classic, and it’s the wit, the straight talk, the everyday feel that make this one so special. “The Princess Bride” — Does this count as a romantic comedy? If it does, it’s the greatest one ever made. Never taking itself too seriously while always keeping you invested. Characters that are at once laughable and lovable. Every scene done just right. Who wouldn’t want the love of Westley and/or Buttercup?

TELL ME ABOUT IT!

Have you seen a movie recently that you’re itching for more people to see? Do you know of a shouldbe classic that many might not? Do you just want to send a rant about a movie you love or hate? Send me your thoughts at editor@ southernminnscene.com and I might share with the Scene audience in a future edition.