As Valentine’s Day approaches, there's a certain allure to cosying up with a timeless companion: movies. In 2024, we celebrate the 90th anniversary of a true rom-com pioneer: 'It Happened One Night' directed by Frank Capra in 1934. Let's peel back the layers of this trailblazer and explore the timeline of the beloved genre that reigns supreme during this season.
Rom-Coms’ Birth (1930s-1940s)
Back in the day, the rom-com's birth was in 1934 with "It Happened One Night." It follows the journey of a spoiled heiress, Ellen "Ellie" Andrews (Claudette Colbert), with a prohibited marriage. The film perpetuated traditional gender roles and genre conventions, depicting a romance-centred story between a spoiled, naïve heiress who needs a man to rescue her. They come from different backgrounds, with themes of male dominance and a happy ending.
Rom-com was solidified with "The Philadelphia Story" (1940), which centred around a love triangle and class differences, ultimately leading to a happy ending. It subverts its predecessor with a strong female lead, Tracy Lord (Katherine Hepburn), portrayed as a strong, independent woman with intelligence and wit. Her arc revolves around self-discovery and personal growth.
Both the movies mentioned are a screwball comedy. The rom-coms emerged between the 1930s and 1940s, during the tragedies of Great Depression and continued into World War II. There are elements that differentiate the subgenre from others like fast-paced dialogue, absurd situations with outlandish and improbable plotlines, female protagonists who challenged traditional gender roles and clashed with their male counterparts, satirized social norms and conventions, and revolved around romantic relationships and courtship.
1950s
The 1950s witnessed a shift in rom-coms, characterized by a more subdued and sentimental tone. Stories centred around themes of love, courtship, and marriage. Traditional gender roles were reinforced, with male protagonists typically portrayed as strong, confident, and assertive, while female protagonists were often depicted as nurturing, supportive, and feminine. However, there were occasional exceptions that challenged these stereotypes. The decade was marked in Hollywood by a change in the production code, which controlled the content of films to ensure they adhered to moral standards. This influenced the portrayal of romance and sexuality in romantic comedies of the 1950s, often resulting in relationships being portrayed in a more sanitized and idealized manner.
1960s
The romantic comedies of the 1960s mirrored the tumultuous and transformative nature of the decade, featuring modern and urban settings and exploring themes of love, sex, and relationships with greater openness and frankness. Female characters became more independent and assertive, reflecting the spirit of the sexual revolution. Additionally, the rise of the civil rights movement provided opportunities to depict interracial relationships and raise awareness among audiences. Furthermore, the counterculture movement made its mark on romantic comedies, with films incorporating elements of rebellion, nonconformity, and anti-establishment sentiments.
1970s
The 1970s marked a transitional period for romantic comedies, characterized by a more realistic and gritty portrayal of relationships. This reflected the disillusionment and cynicism prevalent in society during the era, with anti-heroes and outsiders often taking the lead roles. Some films subverted traditional romantic tropes and conventions, offering a more cynical and satirical take on love and relationships. Others served as a vehicle for social commentary, addressing issues such as gender roles, sexual liberation, changing social norms, and the complexities of modern relationships, including infidelity and divorce. Many of these rom-coms prioritized character development and psychological depth over plot-driven narratives.
1980s
The 1980s saw a resurgence in the popularity of romantic comedies, offering audiences an escape from the realities of everyday life through romanticized and idealized portrayals of love and relationships. Many of these films embraced a nostalgic or retro aesthetic, with settings, costumes, and music evoking the spirit of previous decades. They were often filled with pop culture references and iconic moments that became ingrained in popular consciousness. Additionally, many of these romantic comedies were built around high-concept premises or gimmicks that added an extra layer of humour and excitement to the story. The decade also saw the emergence of a new demographic, with romantic comedies targeting a younger audience.
1990s
In the 1990s, romantic comedies experienced a renaissance, marked by a greater diversity in the types of films being produced. Filmmakers explored a wider range of themes and narratives, including those addressing race, ethnicity, cultural identity, and global influences. These films often featured meta-humour and self-awareness, with characters acknowledging and subverting traditional rom-com tropes. Strong and independent female protagonists emerged, portrayed as individuals with depth and agency beyond their romantic relationships. Memorable songs were often incorporated into these films, adding emotional depth and resonance while becoming ingrained in popular culture.
2000s
At the turn of the millennium, romantic comedies continued to evolve, offering high-concept premises and unique twists on traditional romance tropes. The proliferation of technology became a prominent feature, with themes of online dating, social media, and long-distance relationships woven into many films. There was also a greater emphasis on diversity in terms of casting and storytelling. Similar to the 1990s, romantic comedies of the 2000s often employed meta-humour and self-referentiality, with characters acknowledging and subverting romantic comedy tropes. Many stories placed a strong emphasis on friendship and platonic relationships, highlighting the importance of camaraderie and support in romantic partnerships. Additionally, there was a marriage of comedy and drama, with films exploring deeper themes of love, loss, and personal growth.
2010s
The 2010s placed a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion, featuring characters from diverse backgrounds and exploring a wider range of romantic relationships, which resonated with a broader audience. Technology continued to play a significant role in romantic comedies of the 2010s, with many films exploring the impact of social media, online dating, and digital communication on modern relationships. These films frequently subverted traditional genre tropes and conventions, reinventing classic romantic comedy formulas for contemporary audiences by blending nostalgia with modern sensibilities. The rise of streaming platforms and independent filmmaking in the 2010s led to a proliferation of romantic comedies outside of the traditional Hollywood studio system. These films often offered more experimental and unconventional approaches to storytelling, catering to niche audiences, and exploring themes and relationships not typically seen in mainstream cinema.
2020s
In January 2024, Kate Hudson remarked, 'It’s hard to get male movie stars to make rom-coms. As long as we can get more Marvel guys to like, you know, "Hey, come to a rom-com!", I think that that’s a big part of the formula too,' when discussing why How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days resonated with viewers over the last two decades.
Historically, rom coms have enjoyed commercial success with women as their target audience, but often lacked critical acclaim, serving as a springboard for the careers of many reputable actors in Hollywood. Today, it's possible actors are hesitant to participate in these films for fear of not being taken seriously. Additionally, the industry's reluctance to invest in the genre with low budgets, unknown casts. The genre tends to get undervalued it with stereotypical and predictable stories.
Additionally, many popular rom-coms are subject to ongoing debates due to their perpetuation of traditional values in an era characterized by diversity and inclusivity, as well as intersectional and international influences. There is a recurrence of gender roles portraying an active man versus a passive woman, alongside stereotypes, heteronormativity, youth, whiteness, traditional beauty standards and male gaze dominance. In the present day, there is a notable trend of reboots with a contemporary approach. Off-screen, there is a constant discussion surrounding themes of self-discovery and self-love, reflecting the contemporary rom-com landscape where marriage is not necessarily the endgame and happy endings are not guaranteed. “Anyone But You” (Will Bluck, 2023) came for the quest on cinema, is it all we need with high budget and home box office, is that the answer to our needs?
Comments