Films With More ‘Com’ Than ‘Rom’

28 June 2012

The Five Year Engagement

Recent years have seen romantic comedies steer away from being over-the-top mushy chick flicks, in favour of being couple-friendly films that don’t disappoint in the comedy stakes.

Last week saw the release of The Five Year Engagement, a hilarious romantic comedy starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, from the creators of laugh-out-loud smash hit Bridesmaids.

Another example of comedy championing over romance, it got us thinking about other films that are more ‘Com’ than ‘Rom’

- Horrible Bosses (2011)

Most people have disliked their boss at one time or another, but not many have gone to as extreme lengths to get rid of them as Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day).

Quitting their jobs is not an option, so with a bit of Dutch courage and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the hapless threesome devise a seemingly fool-proof plan to get rid of their employers... permanently.

- Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

Fortysomething, straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream; he has a good job, nice house, great kids and is married to his high school sweetheart.

So when he learns that his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his ‘perfect’ life quickly unravels.

Taking to spending his free evenings drowning his sorrows alone at a local bar, Cal finds himself taken under the wing of handsome ladies-man Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling).

- Hall Pass (2011)

Best friends Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) have both been married for a long time, they both love their wives, but just can’t help eyeing up every other woman who crosses their path.

When their wives finally get fed-up of this habitual rubber-necking , they take a bold approach to revitalize their marriages by granting their husbands a ‘hall pass’ - one week of freedom to do whatever they want, no questions asked.

At first it sounds like a dream come true for the new bachelors, but they quickly discover that the single life is not all it’s cracked up to be!

- Arthur (2011)

Russell Brand stars as Arthur Bach in this remake of the 1981 romantic comedy classic.

Relying on his limitless fortune and the wisdom of his lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren), playboy Arthur faces the biggest challenge of his sheltered life - choosing between his lavish lifestyle and the only woman he’s ever loved.

- Valentine’s Day (2011)

Valentine’s Day comes every year - whether we like it or not, and it’s the one day of the year when our love lives are put on display for everyone to see and judge.

Julia Roberts and Ashton Kutcher lead an all-star cast, including Jennifer Garner, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Patrick Dempsey, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Alba, Eric Dane, Shirley MacLaine, Topher Grace and Queen Latifah in this ensemble rom-com revolving around five relationships in LA that are all put through their paces during the course of the romantic holiday.