Top 10 Alternative Rom Coms, A.K.A. Chick Flicks Guys Dig
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to rerun a series of top ten lists dedicated to the film-genre equivalent of those little heart candies: the romantic comedy. Last Thursday, it was classic rom coms. Today, we continue with a less traditional list: movies that you might not automatically consider romantic comedies, but movies that are nonetheless funny love stories. And they appeal to everyone: chicks, dicks, even pretentious film snobs.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – Probably the most imaginative treatise on the tragic nature of love. It’ll blow your mind, break your heart and tickle your funny bone all at the same time. Kate Winslet is, not surprisingly, superb and Jim Carrey is, surprisingly, not annoying.
- Harold and Maude – We don’t care if it’s cliche. We don’t care if “Something About Mary” made loving it “mainstream.” This is one of the best black comedies ever made. And one of the greatest love stories ever told: a 1970s Romeo and Juliet. And that scene where Harold sticks his head in the sculpture is HOT!
- Rushmore – We could all learn something from the intensity and passion that teenage prodigy Max brings to all of life’s little projects, including love. We could also learn a thing or two about great zingers…Max (played by Jason Schwartzman): “I like your nurse’s uniform, guy.” Dr. Peter Flynn (played by Luke Wilson): “These are O.R. scrubs.” Max: Oh, are they?”
- Secretary – If you can get past the hardcore BDSM, the self-mutilation, and the public urination, it’s actually a very sweet little love story. Black comedy never hurt so good.
- Shaun of the Dead – Sometimes it takes an infestation of zombies to make a man the best boyfriend he can be.
- Knocked Up – Not since Adam Sandler has there been a less attractive (and thus less believable) male love interest than Seth Rogen. But take a hit off Judd Apatow’s bong, and you can start to see the appeal. And by the end of Knocked Up, you’ll totally be rooting for him and Katherine “Out of His League” Heigl to make it work. Plus, any (non-porn) movie that shows a vajayjay like that in all its glory gets our two thumbs up.
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Wall•E – Amazing animation, liberal political commentary, and possibly even a touching lesbian love story (at least, there’s nothing in the movie that definitively says they’re a “straight couple”).
- High Fidelity – Fortunately the movie makes the main character Rob (played by John Cusack) much more sympathetic and likeable than he was in Nick Hornby’s book. He’s still a jerk, but not so much that both sexes can’t thoroughly enjoy this film. Bonus: Jack Black is at his sidekick best (before his mania got grating).
- Amelie – Of all the movies on this list, this might be the one fewest American guys actually dig. After all, it’s French. And subtitled. But we’re betting there’s enough visual and cinematic innovation in it to keep many guys glued, girlfriend or not. Oh yeah, and there’s Audrey Tautou.
- Out of Sight – Fugitive falls for federal marshall — talk about opposites attracting! We know we’re pushing it by calling this a “romantic comedy,” but it is darkly funny. And Clooney is at the height of his hotness — which is really saying something.
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is a Chick Flick? The Man and I though it was a “get high, lie on the couch, eat Cheetos and go “WTF?” flick. Oh, well.
Okay so “Say Anything” doesn’t make the cut? Hm. High Fidelity is great and of course the book, by Nick Hornby, is even better. Although, transposing to Chicago does afford us the unique pleasure of seeing Jack Black at his manic best and then of course there is Iben Hjejle and the scene stealer Todd Louiso.
You may be right. According to IMDB, it’s Max: “I like your nurse’s uniform, guy.” Dr. Peter Flynn: “These are O.R. scrubs.” Max: “O, R they?” (which isn’t exactly what you have either), but we do seem to now recall the last line being “O, R they?’ Which just goes to show the failure of the internet as a reliable source for “facts.” We’ve changed it above. Still, if you’re not a fan of the movie, what are you doing memorizing all the dialogue? And why do you care if we get it wrong? It’s like that joke: “The food here is terrible”…”Yeah, and such small portions!” (We’re not quoting Annie Hall here, so please don’t try to correct this quote).
your quote is completely wrong. it is ‘nice nurse’s scrubs there, guy’ ‘these are o.r. scrubs.’ ‘o.r. they?’ god. it’s insulting enough this movie is on this list, let alone not even quoting it correctly.
harold and maude should be required viewing…..and maude is the original cougar!
excellent point about wall-e as she.
Sorry for my confusion evident in the forgoing post. Clearly, I was focused on the “Chick Flicks that guys dig” portion and neglected the RomCom component. I doubt that “Cast Away” could be considered a RomCom in any light. Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.
A solid listing, to be sure. However, there is a film that I think could be included, or at least deserves an honorable mention. Specifically, “Cast Away.” All I know is that any movie that can make me cry (every time) when the second lead character dies is pretty powerful. Even more so when that character is a volleyball. Or maybe I just need to quit sniffing glue.
LOVE the movie AMALIE. I have watched it so many times. It is fantastic. Shaun of the dead, hahaha, I recorded it on DVR and watch it all the time for a chickle. Knocked up made me laugh at how crazy I was during my last pregnancy.
The rest, some I have seen, some I have not. But I have no interest in any of them. Sorry Cusack, I like you but High Fidelity is kinda boring to me.
What about Pride and Prejudice?
Oh… right.
Just cos I think John Cusak is too likable even when playing an asshole, I didn’t think the movie of High Fidelity conveyed the prickishness as much as the book. Still, I like to watch it now and then. Though Monsoon Wedding FTEW
That “possibly even a touching lesbian love story” article was interesting. Also, this particular guy fricken’ loves High Fidelity. Good list.
Shaun of the Dead should be on every zombie fan’s Valentine’s list. Thanks for including it!