By Any Moreno 

Undergraduate Student  

I love watching romantic comedies, especially the ones that offer unrealistic expectations about love and life. Sometimes, fantasy is simply better than reality. If you are also feeling hopelessly romantic, here are my top 5 romantic movie recommendations:  

5. The Proposal (2009) 

The Proposal is one of many movies that use the fake marriage trope, one that is common to the romantic comedy genre. Sandra Bullock plays as Executive Editor-in-Chief, Margaret Tate: a bold, ambitious, and workaholic woman. As a Canadian citizen, she begins under threat of deportation because of her expired visa.  Knowing that her job is on the line, she strikes a bargain with her unhappy personal assistant, Andrew Paxton (played by Ryan Reynolds). The deal is simple: Andrew will marry Margaret, and in return she will ensure that he receives a promotion.  But when Andrew takes Maragaret to his family home in Alaska, the role of happy couple is more difficult to play than either anticipated. Or is it? This movie is a snarky, fast-paced romance to start out with if you are looking to test the waters with a romantic comedy. 

4. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) 

Bridget Jones Diary is a classic rom-com that offers a modern version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The story centers around the messy life of Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), who records her goals and mishaps in a personal diary. Bridget is a quirky, bubbly romantic. Unfortunately, she has terrible luck, which puts her at the center of several embarrassing situations. In this movie, Bridget has two love interests, Daniel Cleaver (played by Hugh Grant) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Cleaver, Bridget’s boss, is a charming and bold womanizer. In contrast is Mark Darcy, an intelligent man hiding a marshmallow heart under a harsh exterior. If you love slapstick shenanigans and a relatable heroine, this is a good movie to watch! 

3. Pretty Woman (1990) 

Another rom-com classic, Pretty Woman (1990) is the story of a rich man and a sex worker falling in love. At the beginning of the film, corporate tycoon Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) is dumped by a woman who wants a partner who makes time for her. When he accidentally ends up in the city’s red-light district, Edward meets and is charmed by Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts). Feeling lonely and rejected, Edward hires Vivian to be more than a sex worker for one night. He wants her to also be his stylish arm-candy for several high-class business events important to his career. Completely out of her comfort zone, Vivian must face the snobbery of Edward’s world and the stigma of being a sex worker all while retaining her sense of self. If you like your love stories with a little angst and a dash of class commentary, this one is for you.  

2. Runaway Bride (1999) 

Runaway Bride (1999) is another Julia Roberts and Richard Gere classic. This time, Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, a woman who has run away from the altar three times. Gere plays Ike Graham, a New York journalist who writes an inaccurate and unflattering article about Maggie after meeting one of her scorned fiancés.  When he faces the threat of losing his job, Ike must track Maggie down in Hale, Maryland to get the real story. The movie is an interesting study of two flawed people who come to better understand themselves through learning about each other.  It is sweet, sentimental, and full of funny banter! 

1. Me Before You (2016) 

Me Before You (2016) is my favorite movie of all time, but content warning for physician-assisted suicide. The film follows Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke), a cheerful girl who becomes a caregiver for William Traynor (Sam Claflin). William has recently become quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident, and he is understandably having a tough time adjusting. When Louisa discovers that William is planning to go to Switzerland for physician-assisted suicide, she becomes determined to prove to him that his life is still worth living. Though not a comedy like the others on this list, this is a deeply sad and sweet story that is worth a watch.