THE ROMCOM FORMULA

ISSY JEYES // TILDA WILLIAMS

Releasing her 10th studio album, ‘Midnights’, Taylor Swift surprised her listeners once again. If her previous two studio albums, ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’, were quests to explore indie folk and alternative, ‘Midnights’ is a promising declaration of her return to pop music. If listening to the previous two albums is like reading novels - filled with mundane yet captivating tales of another life - then listening to ‘Midnights’ is like reading the letters Swift scribbled on crumpled beige papers in her diary at 3AM.

Swift’s vulnerabilities come to the light in the oxymoronic leading single ‘Anti-Hero’. Her perception of herself and her insecurities are the central motifs of the song: “I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror”, she sings out with a catchy melody. Being a person who “always tried to be [...] a good girl” (Swift’s Netflix Documentary ‘Miss Americana’ ), Swift confesses her inevitable fallibility that we all share as humans.

and many early astronomical observations were made for astrological purposes. For example, the Babylonians used astronomical observations to create a lunar calendar that was used for astrological predictions. Similarly, in ancient China, astronomy and astrology were considered inseparable, with astronomical observations being used for both scientific and astrological purposes. However, as the scientific method developed, astronomy began to separate from astrology and become a distinct field of study. The Greek philosopher Pythagoras is credited with being one of the first to differentiate between astronomy and astrology, and by the Middle Ages astronomers in Europe had begun to reject astrology and focus solely on astronomical observation and analysis.

Despite this separation, astrology continued to be popular and was often used in conjunction with astronomy, especially during the Renaissance. During this time, many astronomers were also astrologers, and astrological practices were often integrated into astronomical observation and analysis. For example, Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer who lived in the 16th century, used astronomical observations to make astrological predictions, and Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer who lived in the 17th century, believed that astrology was a legitimate field of study, using astronomical observations to make astrological predictions.

As the scientific method continued to develop, and astronomical observations became more accurate, the distinction between astronomy and astrology became clearer. By the 19th century, astronomy had become a purely scientific discipline, and astrology had been discredited by scientists and other experts. Today astrology exists on a cultural and social plane rather than a scientific one, although it still holds value for many people in the modern world.

In conclusion, astronomy and astrology have a long and intertwined history, with early civilizations often combining astronomical observations with astrological practices. Yet through the development of scientific method, astronomy became a distinct field of study, and astrology lost credit among scientists and experts, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Despite this separation, astrology continues to be popular and is often used by people as a tool for selfdiscovery and guidance in their lives.

Born in 2006, I grew up singing Taylor Swift’s songs. ‘Love Story’ was played on the then newly released iPad 1 when I was three.

‘Shake it Off’ was what me and my friend performed in our middle school dance show. find it surprising and inspiring how much Swift and her lyrics have developed over the years as she enters her thirties, evident by, for example, her reaction towards drama. Unlike songs such as ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ in ‘Reputation’ (her sixth studio album released in 2017) aiming to denounce her enemies, the song ‘Karma’ in ‘Midnights’ manifests Swift’s gratitude to the life she has now; the 2022 Taylor thinks that “karma’s a relaxing thought”.

Any decent Taylor Swift fan would know that track five in her album is special: it is often the most melancholic and devastating song of each album. The fifth track of ‘Midnights’‘You’re On Your Own, Kid’ - is however a

Through years of intensely researching (binge-watching) romantic comedy films, we now consider ourselves somewhat experts on the genre. Although each film has its individual merits, there is a certain formula that pops up again and again making the romcoms we know and love what they are.

First Impressions

Our soon-to-be lovers meet for the first time... often through unlikely circumstances, a blind date at a blacked- out restaurant perhaps (About ime), or a family boxing day party (Bridget Jones’ diary). Whilst a palpable chemistry affirms the future of the pair, a social factor intially stops them from fully embracing each other. Without a meet- cute there is no romcom.

BIG MISTAKE. BIG. HUGE.

The love interest messes up in what should be an unforgivable way... from Kevin publishing an article about Jane that he promised he wouldn’t (27 dresses), to Edward revealing Vivianne’s career to his lawyer (Pretty Woman), there are a seemingly infinite number of creative ways our lovers let each other down.

The Redemption Moment

Although the audience knows the couple are going to come together again through whatever means necessary, we watch this scene with baited breath. The redemption moment might come in the form of a gift; the guitar from Patrick to Kat (10 things I hate about you), or a speech; the iconic “I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” (Notting Hill). Cue everyone swooning. If our lovers can make it through the trouble they have just faced they can get through anything... Right? There is finally certainty that this relationship, above all others, will last.