After much careful deliberation (read: upon making some wise-ass remark that prompted Larke to ask what movie it was from only to find I made it up) I've decided (read: Larke said I should and I agreed) that I'm going to write a 40s style romantic comedy.
You know, the kind where both people are charming. After watching about 15 or so romantic comedies and outlining all of them, some of them great (Say Anything is a classic) some of them so bad I'm still not sure what the fuck they were intended to be (looking at you, Elizabethtown) I've come to the conclusion that according to modern-day romantic comedy rules, only one lead is allowed to be funny and charming. The other fulfills the uptight asshole who just needs to let loose role. And the charming one is generally free-spirited to the point of irresponsible.
I miss the days when romantic comedies had two leads who were both incredibly charming and fun and maybe irresponsible in doses, but as a whole fully-formed adults. They could keep up with each other without resorting to cheap slapstick jokes or degradation on someone's part. Plus, quick, fast-paced dialogue is my favorite kind to write and who was better at that than Cary Grant, Katharine or Audrey Hepburn, Rosalind Russell and basically everything Billy Wilder ever wrote even when it wasn't a romantic comedy?
So that's what I'm gonna do. A modern day 40s style romantic comedy. Now I just need to come up with a plot.
In the meantime, a few clips from one of my favorites:
I've never seen this movie but I love old films! And I love the Hepburns. I love a sassy young lady (if you couldn't tell). I will be watching said movie. I never even thought of outlining a film or a book. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. You give me ideas....
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! I, too, hate Elizabethtown and get borderline angry at people who don't feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you're right on about the one strong character in romantic comedies- I was just reading a related post about the death of strong female leads:
http://www.yeahrightblog.com/yeah_right/2009/12/movie-monday-up-in-the-air.html
Old films are my favorite, and Audrey is my most favorite. You should definitely check it out, it's fantastic. And I only ever outline if it's screenplay related, haha.
ReplyDeleteAnd Miss Karen, Elizabethtown is HORRENDOUS. What the hell was that movie? Also interesting article. I think it's a combo of parts for women aren't written nearly as well and instead of the Hepburns and Rosalind Russells we get...Megan Fox and Katherine Heigl (who I mind less, but still). It's tragic.