What would a romantic comedy be without the relationships these films focus all their time and attention on? If the leading love interests don’t have any chemistry together or a convincing connection, the movie is ultimately doomed. Sometimes, when these relationships are unconvincing, we have no desire to ever watch the rom-com again.
On the other hand, when there is a beautiful romance in a rom-com that we can buy into, we tend to rewatch these movies so much that we practically memorize them. What are some of the best rom-com pairings of all time? Which ones make no sense to us? Read on to find out.
PERFECT TOGETHER: HARRY AND SALLY (WHEN HARRY MET SALLY)
Of course, one of the best romantic comedy pairings of all time comes from one of the best romantic comedies of all time. When Harry Met Sally is a masterpiece of this genre, written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner. The chemistry between Harry and Sally (Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan) is so effortless and outstanding that it is never hard to believe these two are meant to be together. It’s hard not to root for this pairing and they surely win the title as one of the most lovely rom-com couples of all time.
MAKES NO SENSE: BEN AND ALISON (KNOCKED UP)
The title of the film alone suggests this movie isn’t going to reveal the classiest romance in cinematic history. Starring Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen, this unlikely pair finds themselves attempting a romantic relationship after, (you guessed it), Rogen’s character knocks up Heigl’s.
The relationship just feels like wish fulfillment and Ben isn’t all that nice to Alison throughout the film (and vice versa). Their relationship just feels cold and hostile, as well as forced. Even Heigl admitted to their pairing feeling unrealistic and we have to agree.
PERFECT TOGETHER: EDWARD AND KIM (EDWARD SCISSORHANDS)
Edward Scissorhands feels like a romantic comedy with a Burton-esque twist. Starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder as the leading couple, these two famous actors were madly in love with each other during filming so nothing about their chemistry felt remotely forced because it was based on reality.
We love how abnormal and strange this pairing is and nobody does abnormal and strange as precisely as Tim Burton.
MAKES NO SENSE: ABBY AND MIKE (THE UGLY TRUTH)
The Ugly Truth was given a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for a good reason. It is a contrived and poorly written romantic comedy that relies on sexist tropes and it is just outrageously offensive throughout. It is a genuine head-scratcher how either Gerard Butler or Katherine Heigel ever agreed to get on board with this film, and their characters Abby and Mike are awful to each other throughout the entire film. We can’t see this relationship lasting for very long after the credits roll because it is just a perfect recipe for disaster.
PERFECT TOGETHER: MATT AND JENNA (13 GOING ON 30)
Matt and Jenna, played by Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Gardner, are a fantastic couple in the unique romantic comedy, 13 Going on 30. In the movie, 13-year-old Jenna Rink makes a wish that she wants to be “30, flirty, and thriving.” Don’t we all? Her wish magically comes true, and she wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old woman. Her relationship with her best friend Matt had been destroyed in her early teenage years, but Jenna will do whatever she can to regain that bond with him. They eventually fall in love and it is so pure and genuine that we can’t help but love them together.
MAKES NO SENSE: SIERRA AND JAMEY (SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER)
This Netflix original movie faced a whole lot of backlash for its problematic themes, especially considering the fact that Sierra and Jamey end up together in the end. In the film, Sierra plays a “loser” who doesn’t consider herself to be conventionally attractive. A mix up happens, and she ends up catfishing popular-boy Jamey who thinks he’s talking to one of the beautiful popular girls. In the end, Jamey is able to accept the fact that Sierra lied to him about her identity the whole time and this movie seems to condone catfishing by having them end up together in the end. It’s just a big mess that should have never happened in the first place and it seems to teach all the wrong lessons.
PERFECT TOGETHER: ROBBIE AND JULIA (THE WEDDING SINGER)
Robbie and Julia are a great couple in The Wedding Singer starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. We’re starting to think that when these two actors are paired together in any movie, they can do no wrong. Their chemistry is always out of this world, and this is especially true in this romantic comedy. What makes their relationship so great is the fact that you can tell they genuinely love each other and it all feels so authentic.
MAKES NO SENSE: VIVIAN AND EDWARD (PRETTY WOMAN)
Although we love Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, their relationship seems like a bit of an unrealistic fantasy in the classic 90s movie Pretty Woman.
The circumstances in which they meet is incredibly unrealistic and the movie seems to romanticize prostitution in a way that can be harmful and undoubtedly problematic. It’s a fun movie if we try not to take it too seriously, but at the end of the day, it’s hard to get past how unrealistic their whole relationship is.
PERFECT TOGETHER: PAUL AND HOLLY (BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S)
Paul Varjak and Holly Golightly are an excellent couple in Breakfast at Tiffany’s because they start off as loving friends. They feel safe with one another and their connection is so loving and fun, it is what keeps us coming back to the 60s classic over and over again. There is no scene more romantic than the two kissing in the rain just as Moon River starts to play. Their journey throughout the movie ultimately makes their relationship so rewarding and timeless at the end.
MAKES NO SENSE: JULIET AND MARK (LOVE ACTUALLY)
This “couple” from Love Actually would fit way better in a stalker-themed horror movie than any sensible rom-com. Their relationship is built off of betrayal and lies where Mark falls for Juliet, who just so happens to be his best friend’s wife. He comes to her door and he reveals to her a bunch of notecards that profess his love to her. He says some things that are so creepy and terrifying, we wouldn’t kiss him like Knightly does, we would most likely slam the door in his face and call the cops immediately- but that’s just us.
