There have been a few movies lately that have the guts to call themselves Romantic comedies when in reality the only thing funny about them is that they are trying to sell the story and the resolve as romantic.

Here are just a few examples:

-Just Go With It- After knowing the “dream girl” for all of about 2 hours, a womanizing man, enlist the help of his assistant to lie to said girl in order to get the her to marry him.
Supposed romantic resolve: the so called “man” realizes that he is in love with his assistant.

-Love and Other Drugs- A ‘free spirited” girl and a “ladies man” find each other and (according to the synopsis) after about 10 minutes of their first “date” go to her apartment and have casual sex. This convinces the guy to want to have a relationship only to be rejected by her. Thus the chase begins. (After the sex of course)

Supposed romantic resolve: He finds out she has Parkinson’s so he is determined to help her see how she “makes him a better person”. They decide to live together and he is determined to find a cure.

-No Strings Attached- Two friends, her a commitment phobic/ career centered modern woman and he a guy with multiple “conquests”, decide to use each other for sex, hoping to avoid any real feelings for each other.
Supposed romantic resolve: Of course these two quickly realize they are developing real feelings for each other. This causes confusion in both their lives until they realize they are supposed to be together.

-Going the Distance- A couple, he on the rebound from a breakup and she a “unflinchingly honest” woman, try to keep their “love alive” from their 6 week long meaningful relationship, while living on opposite sides of the country. The main reason they want to get back together- sex and the concern that the other will be unfaithful.
Supposed romantic resolve: After never quite being able to work out their distance romance, the guy decides she is worth him moving to her side of the country for.

-Hall Pass- A married man is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife. (What a guy…what a woman!) Joined in the fun by his best pal, things get a little out of control when both wives start engaging in extramarital activities as well. (Turn about is fair play, right?)
Supposed romantic resolve: Really? Really?

It seems like the new recipe for the modern “Romantic Comedy” is made up of:
Leading Man: One part playboy/ womanizer or commitment adverse, two parts idiot or emotionally distant and one part liar/ schemer or broken heart victim (thus okay to justify his bad behavior)

add:
Leading Woman (No Ladies here): One part bitter/broken heart-ed victim (Read above), two parts liberated slut/ unpaid prostitute who will jump in bed with any man sporting a cute smile, witty dialogue and some alcohol, and one part man fixer.

Mix in:
some crude humor (which in real life I have yet to meat a woman who enjoys body fluid or function humor), a boring or “tied down” married couple as a friend or family member and a little wisdom from an otherwise dumb parent figure.

Bake for one and a half to two hours and ta-da! THIS is what Hollywood believes makes for a great Romantic Comedy!

Is this really what filmmakers think women want to see? Is this the best Hollywood has to offer? No wonder the expectation of so many young couples for what makes a lasting and productive relationship is so distorted.

What do you think?