Romantic comedy (RomCom) is a term used in the film industry to describe a very specific type of film genre. This term is a so-called portmanteau. This means that a term consists of two independent words and thus a new artificial word is created. RomCom thus consists of the term Romantic Comedy. Translated, it means something like „romantic comedy“ or „romantic comedy“.
Romantic Comedy films are therefore a subcategory of the genres of romantic films and comedies. In this case, the „drama“ arises more from funny and not really bad situations. Moreover, the actors have to overcome various obstacles to reach the happy ending.
A RomCom is perfect for the cold season, to get cozy indoors in front of the TV with a hot cocoa and a cozy blanket. However, tissues are not needed, although many people believe that a RomCom can make you cry as well as laugh.
The origin of the RomCom
William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy „A Midsummer Night’s Dream“ served as the forerunner of the Romantic Comedy we know today. However, it is still unclear when the portmanteau word RomCom originated. On „Urban Dictionary“ the first entry dates from 2004.
RomComs: examples, films
Especially on websites dealing with movies, series or cinema, one comes across the term RomCom. Sometimes you can also find the term in connection with online or youth language.
For example, the following famous movies are RomComs:
- About a Boy
- Crazy. Stupid. Love.
- Love doesn’t need a vacation
- What women want
- Crazy for Mary
and
Pretty Woman
Already in the first minutes of the movie you can see Julia Roberts strolling through the streets and the famous song „Pretty Woman“ can be heard. This film is a RomCom as it is written in the book. Edward – played by Richard Gere – earns his money with financial plunder and Vivian – played by Julia Roberts – is a sex worker. As luck would have it, the two meet unexpectedly. Edward decides to book Vivian as a companion for a week. Vivian now experiences a completely different life with lots of luxury. Edward also begins to question his profession. This film is a classic romantic comedy that is a pleasure to watch over and over again.
Notting Hill
Only a Hugh Grant can embody a bumbling, charming and handsome character all in one. While many claim that his films are interchangeable, Notting Hill in particular is something special. Because in addition to Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts also stars here. Together with good old British humor, nothing can go wrong in this RomCom. William – played by Hugh Grant – runs a bookstore, where Anna Scott – played by Julia Roberts – happens to show up. The story begins with a spilled coffee on Anna’s sweater, and William then invites her to his home so she can change.
Harry and Sally
The original title of this film was actually „When Harry Met Sally.“ Harry – played by Billy Crystal – and Sally – played by Meg Ryan – can’t stand each other at all when they first meet. But over the course of the next 12 years, they meet again and again by chance, and a friendship ultimately develops. A friendship in which one tries to set the other up. The real question raised by the film is whether a man and a woman can be friends at all. However, one searches in vain for an answer to this question.