Like wine, we and these movies have aged.

The bromance is strong with Nick FUCKINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Cage, and Pedro Pascal.

Patrick Swayze is back with a vengeance here to spirit away our hearts in the all time classic GHOST.

Next Week: ROSALINE

Bro. This movie is amazing.

Next Weeks Film: TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE: ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Michael Douglas IS... The American President...

Annette Benning FALLS... for THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT.

...

Remember when Presidents were classy? Good times...

Next Week: VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL!! It's our first Bromantic Comedy... IT'S... "I LOVE YOU MAN!"

For our second Nancy Meyers Special Kitchen Event!!!

Half-off Steve Martins! Buy one Meryl Streep get an Alec Baldwin for free!!!!

Next Weeks Movie: THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT

Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn star in Howard Hawks' BRINGING UP BABY, the mighty screwball comedy!

Next Week: Nancy Meyers' IT'S COMPLICATED.

DAVID LINDHAGEN.

Next Weeks Movie: BRINGING UP BABY

What if you fell in love with an operating system? What would that relationship be like? And what can that tell us about the other relationships we have in life? 

These are the questions brought up in Spike Jonze's HER. Does love conquer all? Tune in and find out.

Next Week: Crazy Stupid Love

You...

Doing that thing you dooooo...

Breaking my heart into a million pieces...

Like you always dooooo...

It's catchy. We like it. 

Next week's movie: HER

It is both heart-warming and corny, witty and basic, brilliantly portrayed and oddly played-up.

In essence, this Nancy Meyers modern classic is: a Christmas movie.

Next Week's Movie: THAT THING YOU DO!

Ryan and I are not allowed to write anything about this movie. There is too much vitriol.

Next Week's Movie: GHOST

Check out our patreon for bonus episodes over at: patreon.com/romcomgents

Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon star in the late oughts Christmas Rom-Com FOUR CHRISTMASES. Is this the golden mean for the Christmas Rom-Com? Well. Uh... Let's work this one out...

Special Thanks to Rachael Perrell Fosket for her rebuttal to our assessment of last week's film HAPPIEST SEASON.

Next Week: THE FAMILY STONE!

A dash of a Christmas tale...

A sprinkle of a coming out story...

And a whole lot of romcom on this week's episode when the boys discuss the Hulu exclusive: Holiday Season.

Next week's movie: FOUR CHRISTMASES

Opposites attract? Sure. With wonderful performances by all and just the right amount of heart, Knocked Up, though a dated piece of work, still gets the laughs needed to balance out the sweet, with the stoner, I mean sour. Next Week's Movie: SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (for T.Hanks Giving)

James Gandolfini and Julie Louis-Dreyfus are not mob bosses or witty N.Y. characters... they are just a couple of middle-aged, Los Angeles based, divorcees in search of love. Do the boys love them? Next week's movie: KNOCKED UP

Don't worry... we address it... (you know what we mean...)

Next Week: Enough Said!

Second Verse, better than the first?

Listen to find out as the boys find out what's going on with the love triangle of Lara Jean, Peter Kavinsky, and John Ambrose. Is it me or does everyone around here have two names?

Next Week's Movie: THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

After FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, NOTTING HILL, and LOVE ACTUALLY, Richard Curtis delivers yet another Rom-Com classic. ABOUT TIME is about love, but also, family, romance, work, and yes... Time.

Next Week: To All The Boys I've Loved Before TWO!

Renee Zellweger stars in the film that found her smoking, drinking, and snogging (that's a British term, right... right?)

Next Week: About Time (with guests!)

Rarely do we run into a film here on a Gentlemen’s Guide to Rom Coms that you could describe as gritty, realistic, raw, and poignant, alongside funny and romantic. With great performances from Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Dwight Ewell, and a stellar stellar script and direction from Kevin Smith, this one romantic comedy we’re definitely telling our friends about. Next Week's Movie: BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY

Jane Austen is at her most introspective in this gently moving novel. Though its protagonist isn't as electric as Elizabeth Bennett, Anne Elliot more than holds her own as a romantic heroin. 

Next Week

PERSUASION... Again! The netflix version starring Dakota Johnson

Two lowly executive assistants (Zoey Deutch & Glen Powell) scheme up a plan to get their respective bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye DIggs) to hook up so that they can finally have time for themselves for a change. Romcom hijinks ensue. (obvs.)

This week the guys discuss horrible bosses, Ryan Reynolds impersonators, and much more. 

Next Week: Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy!

We apologize to the Scottish people. This week's episode: Made of Honor Next Weeks Episode: Set it Off (find it on Netflix)

Oscar Winner Spike Lee makes his feature debut with SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT. In spite of its shoestring budget, Spike Lee came out swinging with a fascinating tale of young love.

Next Week: Netflix's SET IT UP.

With one of the largest A-List casts ever assembled today's film is a bloated, poorly xeroxed copycat of Love, Actually.

Grab a drink with the boys and keep the candle burning brightly for love, because you’ll find none of it here. This week on A Gentlemen’s Guide to Rom Coms: Valentine's Day.

Next Weeks Movie: She's Gotta Have It (1986)

Chris Rock Writes, Directs, and Stars in this 2014 film about a comedy star who wants a new narrative in life. He gets the chance when he's interviewed by a New York Times reporter (played by Rosario Dawson)

Next Week: Garry Marshall's VALENTINE'S DAY!

Booty.

Call.

Enough Said.

Next Weeks Movie: Top Five

Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach team up for the vivacious and spirited FRANCES HA. Baumbach directs while Gerwig stars in this moving indie darling. We discuss the ins and outs of indie filmmaking and why this particular pairing of Baumbach/Gerwig is a collab for the ages.

Next Week: BOOTY CALL!

Religion, tradition, stoicism, and the patriarchy get more than they bargained for when Juliet Binoche comes to town bearing her sensual chocolat(e). 

Enjoy this weeks scrumptious episode as Ryan and Kelly discuss: Chocolat.

(WARNING: DO NOT WATCH WITHOUT CHOCOLATE)

Next Weeks Episode: Frances Ha

Will Smith. Eva Mendes. KEVIN JAMES. Hot Damn this is a good looking movie. This week, we discuss the 2005 classic, HITCH.

Next Week: Chocolat.

At its best, the screwball comedy points out how ridiculous us humans can be. It can satirize anything it touches because the world is a ridiculous place, rife with people acting oddly.

In this week's romantic screwball comedy, In & Out, the boys and special guest Rachael Perrell Fosket explore a small Indiana town as its English teacher deals with being outed by a former student at the oscars in the 90's. Antics ensue, and this movie has a lot of fun, but in essence, it's all about the heart that lies beneath all the characters.

Next Week's Film: Hitch

Bobby and Aaron won't fall in love. Neither of them want a relationship. They're serious. No relationship. Nope. Just a couple of opposites who don't want to attract.

Just kidding, that's exactly what they do.

Next Week's BOOK: PERSUASION

Check out our patreon for bonus episodes!

If you would just shut your gob for a second and listen,  we'll tell you about one of best movies made in the 2000s.

A unique script, with good actors to carry it, and a great director that made it sparkle.

Today the boys gush over: Juno.

Next Weeks Movie: In & Out

Given enough time and energy you can dig up dirt on any genre of film. The campiness of some horror, the horniness of some spy films, and yes, even the cheesiness of the rom-com. They Came Together is an example of a parody taking it just way too... well, we'll let the boys tell you about it. Next Weeks Movie: Juno

The night is dark and full of terrors. But the day is cloudy and filled with sparkly vampires! On this weeks episode the boys have an absolute blast talking about Twilight. Next weeks episode: They Came Together

Nora+Rob+Billy+Meg.

Nothing could be better than this.

This week the boys and special guest Erin Carlson do a deep dive on When Harry Met Sally.

Next Week's Movie: Twilight

Find Erin at her website and check out her books I'll Have What She's Having and Queen Meryl at https://bookshop.org/. 

Boy oh boy! Our first Netflix original.

As far as conceits go, the plot of this week's movie is a winner. It's got all the hallmarks. Love, high school drama, fake relationships, a bratty sister... and a really high rotten tomato score. But a good movie, this does not necessarily make.

The boys really, really get into it. Rants incoming in our review of: To All The Boys I Loved Before.

Next Weeks Movie: When Harry Met Sally

All love is beautiful. Which is why we make so much art about it.

Ang Lee knows this, which is why he makes so many movies about it.

With some of the best performances you’ll ever see from Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhal, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, which is saying something, Brokeback Mountain is the one of the most beautifully shot, brilliantly written, perfectly executed, necessary romance films ever made.

Next Weeks Episode: To All The Boys I Loved Before

Helen Hunt: the overworked, under-appreciated, wry, patient, and loving mom/diner waitress who just CAN'T HAVE A NORMAL BOYFRIEND!

Jack Nicholson: one part racist, one part homophobic, all parts grumpy, generous, dog-loving, personality-disorder dealing with writer.

Greg Kinnear: the loving, insecure, snarky, optimistic, depressed painter.

Is this as good as it gets? Find out this week as the boys discuss... you guessed it, As Good As It Gets.

Next Weeks Episode: Brokeback Mountain

What makes something iconic? Lastability? Originality? Universality? ... A cat? This week the boys discuss this within the context of: the uniqueness of Holly Golightly, the racist portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi, manic pixie dream girls, hip parties with cool cats... and I SAID WHAT ABOUT BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, SHE SAID I THINK I REMEMBER THE FILM AND... now I'm done. Next week's film: As Good As It Gets

In order of chronology, the touchstone English storytellers are as follows: first you have Chaucer, then Shakespeare, and finally this week's author, Jane Austen.

Pride and Prejudice, her third written and second published novel, is the true-north of the rom-com genre. It is everything most rom-com's aspire to be: witty, romantic, thoughtful, and full of the feels.

We would be hard pressed to send you anywhere else if you want the perfect example of the form.


Next weeks episode: Breakfast at Tiffany's

In today's world, we get less we get less and less romantic comedies in theaters. It's a tragedy, but them's the breaks. However, today's movie not only premiered at the box office, but it also killed. Few American-made romantic comedies do this well today. And there's lots of reasons: the cast is spectacular, the story is both great and mostly true, and honestly... it stood out during a time where most rom-coms are pretty rote. It's about a young man (Kumail) in Chicago trying to make it in the world of stand-up comedy while his ex-girlfriend is in a coma... it's full of generational discord, awkward parental baby-sitting,  immigrant education (especially in the form of a so-bad-it's-good one-man-show), and hospitals... lot's and lot's of hospitals. But that' makes sense, after all the movie is called: The Big Sick. Next Weeks Book: Pride and Prejudice

Kevin Bacon earns his nameright in this tantalizing 80's emblem of a film. 

Next Week: BROS

Our tenth episode sees the second showing of both Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock on the podcast. These two titans of the Rom-Com genre generally shine in their own films... but together they are almost unstoppable. You won't find anything particularly revelatory here... but you don't really need to. It's plotting is classic: a rich, charming businessman falls in love with a passionate lawyer activist who is trying to save a community center. It practically writes the popcorn into your hands before you stuff it into your face. Enough wit to charm, enough slap-stick and hijinks to entertain, and enough feels to make you go: awe. But enough is enough, we're done with the monologue, it's time to give you our: Two Weeks Notice (with special guests Sara Graves and Robin Vada). Next week's Film: The Big Sick

As I am writing this, I am supremely aware that it’s Mother’s Day. So before we go on, give your moms a call. We love you moms (Linda and Valerie especially). But today we are talking about the daddiest of all dad-rom-coms.

It was part of our adolescent DNA. It informed how we imagined weddings, relationships, and in some respects, being dads.

If you want a film filled with Steve Martin antics, bad nineties fashion, and a really great mom in Diane Keaton’s “Nina”, you’re in the right place. Sit back, relax, try not to worry so much about all the details, and enjoy Father of the Bride.

Next week’s film: Two Weeks Notice

What do you want?

Just when you think you've got it figured out, life throws you a curveball. An unexpected illness... A job offer out of the blue... or in today's movie's case: Cersei Lannister- sorry, Lena Headey.

Listen along in this week's episode as the boys and special guest Robin Vada wade through questions of sexuality, love triangles, and the power of lesbian lungs while admiring the graceful way in which Rachel answers the question, "What do I want?" (spoiler alert, it's Lena Headey).

Next weeks episode: Father of the Bride

We've all wanted to say, "yes," to Adventure. Even the most introverted, bookish of us (maybe especially those) have wanted to believe in ourselves enough to "pursue that flighty temptress." A lot of times we get in our own way: fear, insecurities, uncomfortability, busyness... COVID-19. Sometimes we take that leap, and end up kicking ourselves for it later (bad dates, that one last drink, choosing "animal style" on a In-n-Out Burger when you're over 30... ok this might be getting personal). But every once in a while, we surprise ourselves, and are rewarded by that chance with a unique and illuminating experience. Listen this week as the boys get a little philosophical while discussing Before Sunrise. Next weeks episode: Imagine Me and You

Cooking, like romantic chemistry, is a tricky thing. The ingredients and the proportions in either can't stray too far from a recipe, or it becomes something else (and probably tastes bad). Nowhere in the film business are the proportions of romantic chemistry more important than in romcoms.

That doesn't mean you can't experiment and break the rules. Imagine an Ice Cube // Betty White romcom... with a Harold and Maude twist? I'm guessing it wouldn't work, but why not try!?

Regardless, sometimes in romcoms you have a bunch of ingredients that look good together, but don't actually turn into a delicious meal. We love Hugh Jackman in period costume schilling us butter, we love Meg Ryan in New York trying to do business, we love Liev Schreiber being a quirky misfit, and we love Bradley Whitford being an insufferable boss... all amidst a time-travel gone wrong plot. It seems like it would be amazing... this week, see what the boys think about the chemistry of Kate and Leopold.

Next weeks episode: Before Sunrise

All Ryan and Kelly have ever wanted is a quiet life out in the country with a small parish where they would give very short sermons and raise chickens. But right now we have a lot to talk about. In this Ang Lee directed, Emma Thompson adapted tale of late 1700's romantic politics and sisterly affections. Starring *ahem* Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Hugh Laurie, Greg Wise, Imelda Staunton... suffice it to say that the stars were as studded as a Mr. Willoughby's brown mare when they cast this week's amazing film: Sense and Sensibility. Next weeks episode: Kate and Leopold #janeausten #senseandsensibility #podcasts