Have you heard? The rom com is back! Hallelujah! Netflix has led the charge this year, with two of its most successful original releases ( To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Set It Up) cracking the formula and becoming instant classics of the genre. Meanwhile Book Club, featuring a dream elder stateswomen cast of Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen, was a box office hit and Crazy Rich Asians became the top-grossing rom com of the past 10 years.
This is all excellent news as my writing partner Sarah Breen and I sit down to adapt our book Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling for the big screen. Our Aisling has been described as "the Irish Bridget Jones" and my God those are big shoes (or knickers) to fill. Who among us has not clutched a glass of chardonnay to their bosom while keening along to "All By Myself", inspired by Bridget and her shambolic ways?
Bridget taught us that being a bit of a shambles is quite alright, and we've learned many a lesson from these other rom com queens too...
Elle Woods in Legally Blonde
Elle Woods is a feminist icon. Reese Witherspoon has created some memorable characters in her time (hello, Tracy Flick in Election) but the "bend and snap" queen is truly her crowning glory. The sorority girl who becomes a Harvard Law student to win back her snotty boyfriend, Elle soon discovers that he's dead wood and uses her smarts, kindness and in-depth knowledge of hairdressing to prove that she’s Harvard gold in her own right. Legally Blonde is a lesson in self-belief and a triumph of female friendship.
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Marisa Ventura in Maid in Manhattan
When Jennifer Lopez played the lead in Selena, her $1m paycheque made her the highest paid Latina actress of all time. That was in 1997, but in the early 2000s she really went for it with the rom com roles, pulling off pastel eyeshadow like nobody’s business in The Wedding Planner before playing hotel worker Marisa Ventura in Maid in Manhattan. Ventura is mistaken for a rich guest by dreamy and noble politician Ralph Fiennes, who obviously falls for her instantly. Maid in Manhattan is hugely problematic, not least because of the stereotypical casting of women in service roles, and the idea that Ventura could only improve herself by marrying the rich white knight. However, Lopez’s star power, this film’s huge box office success, and the way she wears a camel coat on screen are nothing short of inspirational. I C O N I C.
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Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You
I spent the summer after seeing 10 Things I Hate About You trying (and failing) to dress like Julia Stiles' beautiful and aloof Kat Stratford. She’s a tough nut, high school teen, sworn off men and dodging the charms of Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger in his stunning breakout role). 10 Things is the very peak of high school rom coms, it’s smart and hilarious and features a truly aspirational, believable, central female character who’s been hurt and isn’t afraid to show it. P.S. I’m still trying (and failing) to achieve the perfect Kat Stratford hair.
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Lara Jean Covey in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Released earlier this year, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is one of Netflix's most successful original films, and made an instant star of its central high school character Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), who almost turns inside out with embarrassment when all her crushes find out about her feelings for them. Such is Lara Jean’s impact that the internet was flooded with copycat Halloween costumes last month. In the book on which the film is based, Lara Jean says: "There are very limited options for Asian girls on Halloween. Like one year I went as Velma from Scooby-Doo, but people just asked me if I was a Manga character." Lara Jean also shows us that sometimes it’s okay to open your heart a little bit… especially if it’s for turbo dreamboat Noah Centineo.
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Helen Harris in Bridesmaids
How does Rose Byrne not have an Oscar yet? Her portrayal of the pushy pass-ag Helen is the most underrated comedic performance in memory. Helen seems determined to steal Annie's (Kristen Wiig) best friend through a series of perfectly choreographed put-downs, an almost lethal level of charm and an avoidance of "grey chicken" at a dodgy Brazilian restaurant. Ultimately, she redeems herself by revealing that she’s not as perfect as she looks on the surface and admits to needing Annie’s help. Byrne is perfect in this role and I will make it my life’s work to see this recognised by the Academy.
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Sally Albright in When Harry Met Sally
Generally considered to be the greatest rom com of all time, When Harry Met Sally set Meg Ryan on a path to becoming one of Hollywood's most beloved stars. Obviously, Harry's (Billy Crystal) suggestion that men and women can never be just friends is hogwash, and Sally’s intelligent determination to prove otherwise allows the viewer to examine whether that is the case in real life (it is, by the way), even though the romantic declarations of love at the end of the movie are inevitable. It is a rom com after all.
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Isis in Bring it On
Bring It On, the Kirsten Dunst-led cheerleader comedy, did the Lord’s work in showcasing the sport as something more than a sideline accessory to American football. Dunst is Torrence, the squad leader determined to do whatever it takes to win at nationals. It’s funny and sharp and the opening cheer song is a banger for the ages. However, Gabrielle Union’s Isis steals every scene she’s in. Leading a cheer squad from a rival school, her refusal to accept Torrence’s apology for stealing routines, and her poise and dignity in the knowledge that her team is better, burst the privileged bubble in which Torrence exists. All together now: "Brrr, it’s cold in here. There must be some Toros in the atmosphere."
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Georgia Byrd in Last Holiday
Okay, so the premise of this rom com might sound depressing – Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) is a frugal fun sponge who finds out she has only three weeks to live (are we all having fun yet?). This shitty news makes her decide to start living, and by living we mean maxing out her credit cards on sexy couture dresses, very fancy food and extravagant holidays. While dining in one swanky French restaurant she meets renowned chef Didier (eh, it's only Gérard Depardieu) and adventures ensue, but hang on, she can't get her mind off her crush back home, Sean Matthews (LL Cool J). I'd watch a prequel devoted solely to Queen Latifah chirpsing LL Cool J.
Benny Hogan in Circle of Friends
No list of rom com queens would be complete without Ireland’s own Bernadette Hogan. Played with a more than passable Irish accent by Minnie Driver, Benny is a small town girl aching to get up to the big city and away from her provincial parents and life. Self-described as "beef to the heels like a Mullingar heifer" she can’t believe it when the handsome Jack (Chris O’Donnell with an Irish accent that would take the paint off a gate) takes a shine to her. She’s brought back down to earth by a back-stabbing friend and a crisis at home, while the film showcases some of the stark realities of being a woman in 1950s Ireland. Benny is loving and loyal and naïve and brave. What more could you want?
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Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen are the authors of Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling ( set to be made into a major film). Their second book, The Importance of Being Aisling, published by Michael Joseph is out now.
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