New wave of movies resurrects ’90s genre
A hasty chase after a potential soulmate and quick, witty banter make for the perfect romantic comedy. A notable meet-cute and a big gesture of love bring joy to viewers.
Some viewers label them unrealistic, but from “Sleepless in Seattle” to “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” there is an endless stream of rom-coms. The genre dominated through the ’90s and early 2000s, But suddenly, the love stories concluded.
Now the rom-com well has dried up and nobody is giving the genre the time of day. Along with actors wanting to make the move to serious movies that create buzz during awards season, the push for the rom-coms is obsolete.
Rom-coms are no longer successful at the box office. Movie studios no longer want to invest in a movie that creates no profit. Generally we have seen the death of the mid-budget movie, into which most rom-coms.
The public no longer seemed to want to watch a so-called unrealistic movie. The introduction of streaming services seemed to be the final nail in the coffin.
However, after the successful theatrical release of “Crazy Rich Asians,” in 2018, the rom-com tide began to turn. Viewers wanted more.
Those same streaming services may be the savior of the rom-com. Streaming services have been the leaders in releasing rom-coms, filling the void.
The old rom-coms have flaws. For example, the classic “When Harry Met Sally” lacks diverse characters, featuring an all-white cast. Additionally, Harry has a constantly condescending attitude towards Sally when they first meet.
This is where streaming services put in the work of delivering what the modern viewer wants.
The classic tropes have been rewritten to fit modern-day tales, such as the introduction of social media and dating apps. It’s a clear reflection that the new wave of rom-coms is pandering to their new audience.
There has been an increase in book adaptations, such as Netflix’s success with “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” The movie deals with a fake-dating trope which has been seen before. However, it’s the personal development of both characters in the relationship that sticks out the most. They experience personal growth as the relationship develops.
These adaptations are derived from a source material providing a layout for a beloved rom-com. They create a new story without becoming a rip-off of a beloved classic.
The new rom-coms have added their own twist by blending the meet-cute with drama becoming a romantic dramedy — a rom-dram? The new stories strive to have relatable characters in whom the audience can see themselves.
The old rom-coms can be appreciated mainly for the nostalgia, but they can also pave the path for the new generation.
Whether or not they will have the lasting appeal of the classic ’90s rom-coms is unclear. It may be the cycle of old trends coming back to life, but this one looks to be the most promising yet.