Kari’s Hum 210 Blog

“A romantic comedy is a dramatic story about romance told with a light, humorous touch. As any writer knows, that simple statement is easy to make, hard to accomplish.” (1)  I chose romantic comedy because I am a sucker for any movie that has a happy ending where love is the ultimate prize.  These are a few of my favorites, How to Loose a Guy in Ten Days, The Wedding Date, Armageddon and of course The Notebook.  The definition I found for romantic comedy is appropriate in every sense of the word, dramatic story about romance told with a light, humorous touch.  Romantic comedies often provide the audience with an escape from reality through the doorway of humor.  Another one of my favorite romantic comedies is the Wedding Planner.  Even though Romantic Comedies just as the horror or scifi films follow the same basic template, people still flock in large numbers to see each new film.  I think the reason behind the interest is that most people want to be in love, and not just any love, true love.  The fairy tale displayed on the big screen during a romantic comedy is what most women and maybe even men long for but might be unable to find.  On the other hand the Western type film is more or less considered a classic.  Beginning back in the day, Westerns gave new insight to the unknown world, ie: cowboys and Indian.  Now days, these films might provide the viewer with a one-way ticket back in time.  “There are several elements to the Western’s mythic frontier. First, the manifest destiny to expand civilization across the country was evident.  Second, heroic individualism was applauded. Third, there is inevitable flow of progress that could not be stopped.” (2) I believe that Western’s used to be more popular previously because of their ability to display a “strong, upright man.”  The main character in the typical Western was strong and stood firm in his beliefs and fought for what was right.  Now days our films revolve around special effects and lack simplicity.  The main character in Westerns’ was usually the “good guy” and today the main or most popular character does not necessarily have outstanding morals.  I guess times change and so do the people but that is what films are for a temporary exit from modern times into a fantasy that goes away with the touch of a remote.