reviewing EVERY Rom-Com I’ve watched, ONE SENTENCE each.

[@Hillary429]

Stanley Tucci will always be the best part of any film he has ever appeared in and I will stand by this fact.

[@desertels5119]

Him and Tim Curry have that magic

[@minniethriver]

Just thought the same and then saw this comment. Perfect

[@DashValkyrie]

like john cusack, he can be in a bad movie but he is never bad in a movie

[@KatieManring]

AMEN

[@nadaamr2779]

💯

[@eurekamreum5458]

Shrek 2 is also hard evidence that sequels can SLAP

[@ItsMePhoebe]

Agree, love shrek💚

[@theonlyenekoeneko]

Shrek is love, Shrek is life

[@abiroad]

and Paddington 2!

[@HannahMarriott]

also a rom com (and probs one of my faves tbh)

[@lindsaymorrison7519]

Princess diaries 2 as well

[@thatjillgirl]

I'm not super icked by Clueless (which... I do think it's pretty clearly an Emma adaptation), because it seems that Cher and Josh never actually lived together and their parents weren't even married very long. So not only are they not biologically related, but they also never really experienced each other as siblings. Josh is more like just a friend of the family. On top of that, I was actually a little MORE icked out by actual Emma (and I love actual Emma) because the age difference between Emma and Knightley is such that it made it very hard for me to feel much romantic chemistry there. It came across way more like a paternalistic relationship, like Knightley was her father figure. Never got the vibes until the 2020 film adaptation that somehow managed to have actors with a similar age difference but still palpable chemistry.

[@andreacecchini5733]

Thank you! I'm confused every time this is brought up. Cher and Josh are not related in any way and barely have a relationship. Not to argue the merits of it being a great adaptation (I don't think it is), but Mr Knightley has seen Emma grow up much more closely?

[@Molly-tv5sv]

Also Knightley has a line in the confession in the book that's like "I've loved you since you were 13" and oh my god I love Emma, book and movie, but ick

[@tatianakneale5542]

sorry just because I'm a mega-fan of clueless I have to correct something - Paul Rudd doesn't play Cher's brother or half brother he plays her father's ex-wife's son by another man so they are NOT in any way related nor is it ever implied that they grew up together or even lived together as step-brother and step-sister for any extended period of time ...

[@lyna7038]

Yes I hate when people call him her step brother they male it sound like an in*sect movie

[@valentinahuidobro8398]

Yes!!! but he's still a lot more older than Cher, right? I remember in the movie he's studying law so he's like 23-24??? Cher is 17???? It's weird

[@Carolina57685]

@@valentinahuidobro8398 yeah that's the fucked up bit we SHOULD be focusing on!

[@evalita9]

The age difference between Emma and Knightly is creepier. Ok Paul Rudd's character is in college and there is definitely a difference in maturity but at least he didn't know Cher as a toddler. And we kind of get the moment he starts to see her as more than an annoying kid in the movie while Emma the book doesn't disclose the moment Knightly falls in love with Emma.

[@liv97497]

Exactly! I've always felt this was a good way to translate their relationship to modern audiences. In the 21st century, a brother in law's brother is not in any way your family, but there has to be a little bit of awkwardness in their relationship, and I think it was a good change.

[@fayeshultz4069]

Just rewatched You've Got Mail and THANK YOU for calling out the fact that he never apologizes. I had zero warm fuzzy feelings at the end. 😂 All rage.

[@adelweisz]

i also just rewatched it and i thought his character was Quite Grody - not just for all the business stuff - but for figuring out who she was and then NOT TELLING HER WHO HE WAS until he got in her good graces. it was creepy and dishonest and not at all charming, imo.

[@bethbcrafts]

Also, watch Dance With Me, starring Vanessa Williams and Puerto Rican singer (masquerading as a Cuban dance star) Chayanne. I actually cannot speak to its true quality as a film but the hips and the big brown eyes of Chayanne were an important part of my teens.

[@laevanda7548]

Allegra also means "joyful" in Italian lol anyways i am absolutely loving the hair and this pink and red on you!!

[@user-es7ui5mc1m]

Have you ever watched Crazy Ex Girlfriend? I know this was about movies and Crazy Ex Girlfriend is a show but for some reason all the hearts in this video reminded me of the season 2 opening! And I feel like it'd be right up your alley, it has great music and it's pretty diverse and it's just an amazing show all around

[@caitlinlily556]

YES! Totally was thinking the same thing! BAM

[@anjalibhat14]

My favorite show!!! Lovers of musicals who also enjoy sharp and witty takes on romcoms should definitely watch it and Leena is all of the above!!!

[@jwinkies3011]

Oooooh yes 100% I can see it!

[@kittynekocat]

I absolutely LOVE that show

[@9thgalaxy778]

Was just going to comment this! Rachel Bloom is a genius!!!

[@taylormacgillivray8414]

I you haven’t seen Austenland, I think you’ll love it. Jennifer Coolidge is amazing in it and the premise is charming!

[@samanthaharrell7342]

Ah!! Yes! I NEEEEED Leena to watch that!

[@CiaoBellaBee]

Not films, but two tv show recommendations that are recent and diverse: Lady Parts - young Muslim women in a punk band. Need I say more?! (but also romance, friendship, and pressures of expectations). Love love love this show! Heartstopper - gay teens in love. Just general feel good fluff.

[@everausten]

Both of these yes yes yes yes yes

[@fish-fingers_and_custard7685]

Leena's out there giving us the video we never expected, but needed!!!

[@yjayyy]

the dress, the background, the topic of this video I LOVE IT SO SO MUCH and I haven't even pressed play 😭💖💖💖

[@notreallyhere2597]

I am frantically taking notes and having cramps in my hands 😖 but I love it!!!

[@soziomulan7830]

I was born in 2000 and I honestly have to blame my parents for the taste in men now because all we watched as a family were these famous 90s films with Hugh Grant in them, who I was deeply in love with as a kid... As of today, any odd posh guy with floppy hair and blue eyes has the power to destroy me. :')

[@funpolice5821]

The biggest same I have ever samed!

[@valkyrie_cain86]

A Cinderella Story is a fave - rewatched it so many times.

[@Jennifer-on8ln]

So good!

[@Faefire]

"Imagine Me & You" is my absolute favourite feel-good-movie. I love it so so so much. For some reason a lot of people do not know about it?! Which... if you haven't seen it (Person reading this.) take this as a sign and watch it. You won't regret it.

[@bethbcrafts]

So, I’m 38 years old. I watched Dirty Dancing for the first time a few months ago and I AM SO MAD THAT THIS MOVIE WAS NOT PART OF MY CHILDHOOD CANON. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more perfectly executed movie. Thank you for your video about it, which was part of what made me finally sit down and watch it. I used to laugh about the song Hungry Eyes, but then I saw Jennifer Grey’s eyes in this film - there have never been hungrier eyes. And along with the film being amazing, WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME PATRICK SWAYZE WAS MORE THAN JUST THOSE WONDERFUL HIPS?! What an absolute GEM of a human man.

[@georginamills2278]

I'm gonna need you to give Muriel's Wedding another go. The picture that's always on the DVD cover is very misleading but the film is genius. Its not a rom com its about recovering from abuse.

[@mistressmozart]

such a good movie. Never understood why it was marketed as a rom com. it's quite devastating!

[@Rachelw]

I love The Big Sick and The Lovebirds. I coincidentally watched them in the same week and came away with a big crush of Kumail Nanjiani. And yes please do a musicals video!

[@chiarathomas5044]

hands down the most exciting patreon email I've ever received

[@TheHxXx]

Mansfield Park…cousins…who grew up basically as siblings. 😳

[@ChristopherDraws]

I was a bit knocked to the floor when you were so critical of Muriel's Wedding... However, I then realised that Muriel's Wedding doesn't belong in this list, as it's not a romcom. I think it's a film about a woman who is uncomfortable in the world she exists in, who desires to meet other people's standards and expectations and goes to progressively more bizarre and destructive lengths to "achieve" this, but ultimately discovers happiness with who she is, what she brings to the world, and how she can craft her own life. It's an analogy of being LGBT! And as such it is dear to my heart and I love it so much.

[@kslaney4161]

This is a perfect description of Muriel’s Wedding.

[@moonymilquetoast]

i was also shocked and felt very protective of muriel's wedding, for me it's a coming of age movie where the best friends ride off into the sunset together and i will always adore it for that ❤️

[@rshobbs]

Yes! Justice for Muriel's Wedding 😆

[@LaQuaintrelleChristie]

I also had this reaction! But then I wondered if Leena got it confused with a different film? Since it's not really a romcom and she said something about Harriet deserving a better script, and there's nobody in the cast called Harriet! I want to believe she got it confused anyway, but I'm aware that I could be saying that as a defence mechanism haha

[@LaQuaintrelleChristie]

I also read Muriel as autistic (I am autistic too), and to me it's a movie about being autistic and trying to fit into an allistic world

[@dusty-pan]

So happy to see Shall We Dance on this list!! I watched it regularly with my while growing up, and I swear, the "marriage is a promise to witness your life" scene did so much to shape my early understanding of long term relationships for the better :') Also the PCD version of Sway is endlessly iconic, I am forever dancing to it in the kitchen.

[@Hetachan]

My favourite RomCom is Crazy Rich Asians The theme about "not being Asian enough" and living between two cultures made me cry so much! By the end I was uncontrollably sobbing in the cinema

[@johnwallace-howell5849]

Yes please to the musical version! I also am deeply confused as to why Away We Go isn't revered as a modern classic. Always Be My Maybe and the Big Sick are both great!

[@estilobyelizabeth]

The big sick is one of my FAVES!

[@sallys.2707]

"When Harry met Sally". My name's Sally (quite unusual in my country). My first ever boyfriend was named Harry. I played the wedding scene TWICE when I was doing theatre in highschool. AND FOR SOME REASON I'VE NEVER SAW THIS MOVIE. 🤣

[@liv97497]

You're missing out! My personal, all time favorite rom-com, but easily in the top 10 of any rom-com list!

[@kitreadsbooks7718]

it should have been jess and jules!!

[@_lenny_____leonardo]

I just watched The Big Sick the other day and it made me cry so much. So much!

[@rosemarybruce6290]

I've read that Juno was intended to be a pro-choice film, and the writer or director is really upset with the way that it's been interpreted as pro-life. Junos a teenage girl who, I feel, effectively had her choice taken away by being on her own & anxious.

[@user-es7ui5mc1m]

oh that's such an interesting perspective! i feel like i have to re-watch it with that lense now...

[@autonomousAcquaintances]

Choice isn't just about choosing not to give birth, its about choosing to give birth as well. Juno made a hard decision that a lot of other people didn't want her to make, but she made it because she's independent. If she would have chosen not to give birth she would have been just as independent. She chooses where the baby ends up even though things didn't work out the way she thought they would. She tried to make the most informed decision she could, she considered an abortion and she decided that it wasn't for her. I think the movie is pro choice personally. I don't feel like I'm being told I have to make the same choice as Juno.

[@vallentinac9513]

@@autonomousAcquaintances Exactly!

[@Ceduria]

Interesting. I never saw it as a pro-life film, very much on the contrary. Firstly because the humor is so edgy and very clearly liberal, and also because it shows the pregnancy and subsequent adoption as the absolute shitshow that it usually is in real life. Not in the sense that it would scare you away from giving birth, but rather that it absolutely doesn't shy away from the darker sides of reality. For hard pro-lifers there is usually this highly idealised and unrealistic view on what childbirth is, and this movie goes in a very different direction. And it is absolutely clear that the pregnancy is Juno's choice and that it could also not happen. That's what pro choice is all about.

[@piarateking8094]

@@autonomousAcquaintances yes pro-choice is ultimately about choice

[@KathrynsRavens]

Have you seen the Princess Bride? Also, musicals? Yes please! About time is one of the best rom-coms I've ever seen

[@gamewrit0058]

Princess Bride and First Wives Club are movies I liked way more than the books.

[@oliviatoledo2212]

Hi I adore this channel, and also here to recommend Dan in Real Life, one of the most comforting and hilarious and nostalgic and clever rom coms in existence… it’s got Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche … chef’s kiss

[@Ineeee]

Crazy Rich Asians is my favorite romcom and my comfort plane film. My fave used to be Just Like Heaven. I adore You’ve Got Mail though haha

[@pisto30]

This outfit is AMAZING, Leena!! Gotta disagree with you about Muriel's Wedding though. It's a CLASSIC

[@ermintrude_fanshaw]

Absolutely - I adore Muriel’s Wedding. I sometimes wonder if it’s too Australian for other audiences? I’ve only met one non-Australian who enjoyed it. Also it’s arguably an anti-romcom!

[@lfior]

I also loved the outfit 😍

[@arilith504]

It's one of my all-time favourites!

[@piddlydiddly]

@@ermintrude_fanshaw I loved it and I'm British!

[@pisto30]

@@ermintrude_fanshaw I'm American and I really liked it. But I'm also a fan of a lot of Australian movies and TV shows.

[@NotTheModel17]

Totally agree with your opinion on Someone Great. I was going through the same thing as the main character when it came out and it hurt in all the right places

[@heatherstephenson3559]

A musicals video sounds great. :) Some people have already mentioned some of these, I think, but Down with love and Celeste and Jesse forever are so great and one of my absolute faves is the pretty recent Palm springs.

[@Sarah-uk5tr]

Leena, I can't believe you illustrated your book too! So good. Also, "Greyfriars Bobby: An Intervention" blew me away.

[@no_where_land9947]

About time is one of my favorite movies and I’m not even a romantic movie person!! It’s about life and how some things we just have to accept and grow from. It’s so good

[@rebeccatries8038]

Thank you for creating a safe space to love, critique, and lovingly critique rom coms. Your taste is immaculate 💗❤️💗❤️💗

[@eavaneboland6672]

no way, muriel's wedding is one of my favourites!!

[@SamWest96]

I love this so much. Also, Where Rainbows End is unironically my favourite book of all time (I read it 50 times in 2 years when I was a mid teen) and Love Rosie makes me angry to my very soul

[@candyisreading8813]

Omg I have never been able to get through Love Rosie but where rainbows end was one of my favourite books as a pre-teen too, I read it constantly!

[@char_fenton]

yes to a musical one pls, and 100% needs to include the lion king 2 (since it was mentioned) bc lines from 'not one of us' are a part of my daily conversational vocabulary even like almost 25 years on

[@Yessica13]

Deception, Disgrace...

[@LittleRedTeaCake]

I *love* that A Midsummer Nights Dream. One of my favorite movies of all time. Love & Basketball is in my top ten of romance movies. Definitely do a musical one!

[@jankalovering6408]

Richard Linklater is the king of "this happened in one day" films. Plus boyhood. So there ya go. 👍

[@LadetteM]

Based on the films you described as perfection, would also recommend Easy A (if only for more Stanley Tucci content), The Duff, and then for the sheer Britishness of it: Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging

[@bugnerdasmr]

I've been wanting to curate what I watch more, too. It's been mostly bite size comedy TV the past couple of years, because that's all I feel up to. (I really enjoy your videos and just bought Bargain Bin Rom Com from my local bookstore!)

[@MrsZuzannaK]

Emma's sister is married to Mr. Knightley's brother :)))) in the book

[@spoookyghouly]

I love the lake house, it's SO GOOD. Also, red is actually worn in a lot of cultures for weddings. White wasn't really popularized in the west until Queen Victoria wore white for her wedding.

[@Insanepurpleperson]

i've been needing new rom coms to watch, bless u

[@Aaliyahrambles]

I am here for the Lovecore Leena aesthetic Also Indian brides have always been on the red wedding dress train

[@pisto30]

I recently re-watched Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason AND Bridget Jones' Baby (Bridget Jones's Diary's one of my favorite movies and I'd watched the other two years ago and wanted to see if they still held up) they're actually better than they have a right to be, tbh.

[@saffodils]

i'd love to see a musical version! i love romcoms in theory but i tend not to watch them bc the sexism ruins a lot of them for me DX so it's nice to hear perspectives on which ones are worth it. "bargain bin rom-com" just arrived here and i can't stop reading the poems to my housemate-they're just too clever and insightful and down-to-earth to leave unshared.

[@45pairsofsocks]

Marry Me was SUCH a let down. From the trailers it had the bones of a solid, just okay but charming rom-com. My mother and I were counting down the days until we could watch it together (long history of her introducing me to all of the classic rom-coms when I was a teen, and now I keep her up to date on what new ones are worth watching) and then we ended up spending the entire time coming up with more interesting plot points. (Also thank you for giving me a watch list, shocked to discover how few of these I've actually seen!)

[@flagerdevil]

Wait! Are you telling me that you have not seen The Decoy Bride!? You have to SEE it! 😁

[@emmamclaughlin9400]

THANK YOU AWAY WE GO IS TRULY INCREDIBLE

[@mathildemcsherry19]

Omg omg omg YES to the musical one please. And if you do, the sound of music must be in it

[@nimrodgrrrl]

Leena, you MUST do a musical one. We’re begging.

[@amypirtle6967]

Someone Great is such an underrated film. Gina Rodriguez's subway monologue makes me cry nearly every time I watch it. Seriously. Watch it.

[@suno8911]

The moment you discover that a favourite youtuber of yours is the one other person who loves and understands “The Lake House”... (sigh. Fate works in mysterious ways)

[@jsalnut]

Another lovely vid! And yes do a Musical review (I hope you can go all out with the singing & spectacle!).

[@mackenziesapphire7554]

You need to watch two night stand!!! It's really really sweet and also it only takes place in slightly more than a single day. Also, it takes place between christmas and new years so it's not a christmas movie but it is a winter movie

[@selma_el]

It'd be awesome to hear about musicals ! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Leena xx

[@twelvebooksaday8640]

Appreciate the lion king 2 appreciation and I 100% would want a musicals version!

[@JessicaLou15]

It's amazing! The deception song 🔥🔥🔥

[@lucysweeney8348]

Can we also get some love for Shrek 2 and My Girl 2? Sequels rule

[@hannahwalsh3312]

I don't know what we did to deserve this video but I'm so happy

[@CM-pf1xc]

I LOVE that you Love to all the boys and Cinderella story!!! 😂 Also “toys r us racial commentary” 😂😂😂😂💀💀💀

[@TheCowbiscuit]

My sister and I were on the floor screaming and sobbing at the end of the Lake House, I've never had such a visceral reaction to a film before

[@nimedhel09]

PS: I Love You broke me. It is the only film I've ever watched that had me use up a whole freaking box of tissues. And I'm not exagerating here. Also yes please I'd love a Musical one of this (just came across your channel and loving the ride)

[@kelly-annmaddox]

Ooh I actually love the dialogue in Notting Hill. The scene where he tries to convince her to have 'a normal amount of perspective' by asking her to consider his friend who had an accident and will never walk again, and her response about how the news about her lasts forever and is brought up every time the press want to attack her.. I still recall that bit as thought-provoking. 🙂 The brownie scene is memorable dialogue too. But yeah, the supporting cast are the true stars.

[@fish-fingers_and_custard7685]

About Time also made me never want to wear a white wedding dress!

[@wendyhere7204]

I need 'Me before you' on this list! It's adorable and so sad and still always makes me happy while I cry my eyes out. Definitely recommend it.

[@wibbley_wobbly3580]

Have you seen the Jane Austen Book Club or Women Talking Dirty? I remember those two as favorites when I was a teenager - very different vibes though.

[@kaybraywarriner7431]

Leena, I owe you a lot of thanks for all the things you have recommended that I have loved, so I would like to suggest you watch Always Be My Maybe on Netflix, which was not featured in this list and I think you would rate.

[@samd77666]

Your book came in the mail and I absolutely loved it!

[@michelleboon7646]

Shall We Dance is SO underrated! I watched it a lot when I was little and didn't realize that it lowkey starts as Richard Gear having an emotional affair with J-Lo. If that sounds off-putting, worry not, it's really about his emotional affair with ~ballroom dance~

[@mia.jade.]

I'll defend Carol with my last breath, but this vid is a great resource for rainy days, looking forward to digging in to some of these that I'd never even heard of!

[@ellamcken462]

So glad someone else shares my non-love of nottinghill - i feel i have had to keep it a deep dark secret! I also LOVED john tucker must die and music and lyrics!!

[@leenanorms]

Omg HOW DID I FORGET MUSIC AND LYRICS????

[@ellamcken462]

@@leenanorms ICONIC, pop goes my heart was my fave song for a loooong time

[@MsRicki808]

I really thought I had seen them all but you gave me a few new ones. Bless ya

[@theresaj5685]

Leena you have to prioritize watching fire island. It’s soo good and actually a pretty faithful pride and prejudice retelling

[@estilobyelizabeth]

100% agree about so many of these, esp To all the boys and Notting Hill. You're amazing. Adding to this list: Love and Basketball Before Sunrise, Worst person in the World, Crush, Fire Island, Appropriate Behavior, Love me if you dare, The Incredible Jessica James, I Want You Back.

[@pinkreboot]

i saw shall we dance ONCE as a child i loved it, and i only watched it that one time but i just KNOW i love it and i dont even remember much of it!

[@adairs7498]

Look you have a slightly wonky definition of the 'rom-com' (Idk if there's any 'com' is in The Notebook or Carol) but I still loved every second!!

[@asilallam]

the big sick is amazing you'll love it!!

[@Mal-ui9zi]

Re: Clueless, yes, it's weird but Mr Nightley is whole 17 years older than Emma and literally says he fell in love with her when she was just 13... so Emma is not exactly perfect and proper either. That whole romance at the end ruined the book for me

[@sarabovo2151]

Allegra is Italian and means joyful, vivacious. It is also used in music, indeed. It is a super cute and sweet name.

[@freddie4818]

The Big Sick and Man Up are both great

[@TheSnackWrap]

I'd add "Destination wedding" to the list. I can't say enough how amusing and overall great this film is! Also, yes to the musical episode in this series!

[@RiRisWorld4Eva]

Yesssss!

[@kittysunlover]

1000% agree re: Notting Hill. My strongest memory of that film was of watching it, waiting for it to start, then realizing it was over. I guess there was also an "aha" moment of like "so that's where the I'm just a girl monologue is from" followed immediately by a puzzled "why the heck is it so famous?" Yep. Flat. Also: yes please do musical version thank you. XD

[@Ninzip]

Portrait de la jeune fille en feu. I could give reasons why you will like this, but please just watch it, preferably without watching the trailer. It is so good.

[@annatoller688]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO and the fact that you mentioned The Lake House giving it the love it deserves. Thank you

[@piperevelyn2446]

Thank you for this, I have been wanting new romcoms to watch. Please do the musical version too!

[@candyisreading8813]

Love this 😂 I recommend Fire Island, a queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I really enjoyed it and the takes on class were really introspective and well done. Just a very thoughtful and sweet adaptation.

[@ItsMePhoebe]

A great romcom, that I was really pleasantly surprised with is called "the lovebirds" on Netflix and is with issa rae and kumail nanjiani! I usually don't love romcoms but that one was good 😂❤️

[@goannagirlable]

I did not realise you illustrated the cover of BBRC?! golly me you are so multifaceted!

[@sacrefrenchie2132]

oh god oh god Away We Go. I teared up just seeing the cover. I haven't seen it for so long, how did it not get so much more acknowledgement?! Also I had swept What if from my mind, wow that film is bad...

[@kiragbmiller]

Strongly disagree about Muriel’s Wedding. Maybe because my mum grew up where it was filmed, but that movie will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@rachelhoey2918]

Damn I thought I'd seen a lot of rom coms, but apparently not. Surprised how many of these I haven't seen

[@leglessleg0las]

You’ve Got Mail is so depressing, thank you for saying what needed to be said

[@roxannegreen7996]

My fave romance film is The Big Sick, it's based on the real experience of Kumail Nanjiani meeting his American wife. The casting is perfect, it's so funny and so heartwrenching I cannot recommend it enough

[@kimberlypugh50]

Sorry but it's the opposite siblings in Emma. Also a hard disagree on Clueless, the relationship is comparably odd and that movie slaps. It's my only dissent though. Gotta know, do you consider 10 Things a Taming of the Shrew adaptation? Also Away We Go is one of my favorite movies despite having first watched it in my early teens with my mom. The opening scene was an awkward moment 😳

[@dalekmad96]

Oh I'd love to see an indie romance video

[@Freya407]

Yes! Thank you for affirming my undying love of both the Lake House and Shall We Dance! 😂I feel seen (scene? I'll see myself out)