romcom – NZ Film Freak

Director: Nora Ephron
Writer: Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
Released: December 1998
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle, Steve Zahn, Greg Kinnear
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A classic 1990s rom-com! Featuring the mum and dad of 90s rom-coms – Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

It’s from the writer/director Nora Ephron – the brain behind When Harry Met Sally, the similar 90s story of Sleepless in Seattle, and Julie & Julia. (She must have really loved Meg Ryan – I wonder if Nora considered her for Julie & Julia because she has a striking resemblance to Amy Adams.)

You’ve Got Mail is the ultimate feel-good film. It’s everyone’s daydream; realising the love of your life has been in front of you the entire time. In this movie, Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) owns a quaint book shop, until a giant book-selling conglomerate – owned by Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) – moves right up the road from her.

Kathleen: [writing to “NY152”] People are always telling you that change is a good thing. But all they’re really saying is that something you didn’t want to happen at all… has happened.

This threatens her family business, so Kathleen takes comfort in a stranger online – known as NY152 – whom she confides in. Developing feelings for the stranger, and vice versa, they decide to meet and you’ll never guess who NY152 turns out to be.

(Meanwhile, Kathleen is dating a complete arse (Greg Kinnear) who I absolutely adore hating.)

Kathleen: [in an email to “NY152”] The odd thing about this form of communication is that you’re more likely to talk about nothing than something. But I just want to say that all this nothing has meant more to me than so many somethings.

It’s got just the right amount of cheese for this outlandish twist of fate to be believable and enjoyable. It reminds me of Serendipity in that way.

I love the nonsense that Kathleen talks about. She really does have her head in a book even when she’s not reading:

Kathleen: [writing to “NY152”] Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one! It got on at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are.

It’s the perfect rainy Sunday watch. Its happiness and joy will make the sun come out in your life!

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

Kathleen: I love daisies.
Joe: You told me.
Kathleen: They’re so friendly. Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

I agree! ❤️

Director: Peter Chelsom
Writer: Marc Klein
Released: October 2001
Starring: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale
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Sara: [Serendipity is] such a nice sounding word for what it means: a fortunate accident.

This is our Christmas film because it’s set at Christmas time in snowy New York – so magical!

It’s a fantasy romance film about fate, and whether you should act on impulse or allow life to take the wheel. When Sara (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan (John Cusack) meet on Christmas Eve by chance, Jonathan falls in love with her straight away, but Sara believes they must leave it to fate.

If they are meant to be together, then fate will bring them back together. So, Sara leaves after a beautiful night together in hopes of seeing him again.

Ten years on, fate couldn’t have directed them further apart. But, they can’t stop thinking about each other despite not having been in touch since that one magical night. They go about trying to find each other again, and a comedic adventure ensues!

It’s an easy-to-watch romance with a ‘too good to be true’ magical storyline. Which, I am in no way complaining about. I love magical romances.

John Cusack has a brilliant comedic energy about him, and Kate Beckinsale has a wonderful elegance to her without being too ‘perfect’.

I love how both characters have philosophical sidekicks (Jonathan’s friend Dean (Jeremy Piven) and Sara’s friend Eve (Molly Shannon)) to put their ridiculous missions into perspective.

Eve: And if you’re smart enough, you learn from your mistakes. You figure it out. You… you think. You realize that life isn’t some elaborate stage play with directions for the actors. Life’s a mess, Sara. It’s… it’s chaos personified.

I love the deep and meaningful nature of this film. The underlying tone is one of strength and empowerment to do what you want, and to get what you want.

Eve: You see, that is what happens when people get hooked on the new-age life. They end up sitting at home burning candles for mister right, when mister good-enough-for-right-now is waiting at the corner bar!

You’ll walk away feeling nothing but happiness with a new-found faith in love, and a new-found sense of power over your life.

Dean: You know the Greeks didn’t write obituaries. They only asked one question after a man died: “Did he have passion?”.

It’s one of my favourite rom-coms, even though you need a decent amount of suspension of disbelief! The only thing missing was an inspirational soundtrack, I think.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10