Guilty Pleasures: Romantic Comedies

What do Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson and John Cusack all have in common? Yes, they are all celebrities, but that is not the correct answer. The correct answer, Alex, is 9 people whose movies I cannot shut off; no matter what. Why? Because I am a romantic comedy sucker. I love them. Add it to the ‘Guilty Pleasure Hall of Shame’.

Like all guilty pleasures, I suppose, we have no idea what draws us in, but we cannot fight the urge to indulge ourselves. I am really not sure when this little dysfunctional habit began but I am certain it is a problem. I would compare the experience to witnessing a car accident; you really don’t want to look, but you have to. When a fight broke out in the high school cafeteria, you likely did not want to see anyone hurt, but you did want a ring side seat to the action. While I do not know when the first incident happened, I do know the most recent occurrence; 2:34AM last night. I awoke from a dead sleep and found I was a restless. Decided to go downstairs and get a drink. Took a sip of water and realized I am wide awake, so what do I do but turn on the T.V. Start flipping through the channels that are basically consumed by rebroadcasts of the late news and info-mercials until, wait one second….that’s Drew Barrymore! What do we have here? Going the Distance? As a matter fact, I will. Sign. Me. Up. My intention was to catch a few minutes and then get my sad sack arse back to bed before my crazy children start waking up. Oh no. Watched the whole thing. I even found myself laughing – out loud – during several scenes. Really? Do I really find the sappy banter and completely predictable story line that entertaining? Yes. Yes, I do. The problem is ALL of these movies are EXACTLY the same. Identical. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl like each other. Boy and girl have a falling out but, in the end, love conquers all. All along the way we get to experience the funny quips, silly side characters and all of the other sappily-ever-after crap. End of story. Am I wrong? So, if that is truly the case then why do I continue to watch these foolish films? The greater issue is not that I watch these films…but that I watch them again and again and again. How many times can I catch John Cusack catch that stupid black glove in Serendipity? Apparently, infinity. Why do I continually tune in to that scamp Jennifer Aniston make out with EVERYONE in her romantic comedy path of destruction? (Adam Sandler, Vince Vaughn, Gerard Butler, Owen Wilson, Ben Affleck, Ben Stiller and even that old pervert, Kevin Costner, just to name a few!) Answer: I am sick. When am I going to realize that Julia Roberts is not going to steal away Dermot Mulrooney from Cameron Diaz in My Best Friend’s Wedding? When, damnit, when? Never. 9 Months, Notting Hill, He’s Just Not That In to You, Just Go With It, The Bounty Hunter, The Break Up, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Forces of Nature, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, Along Came Polly, Failure to Launch, Rumor Has It, Fever Pitch, Never Been Kissed, 27 Dresses, Two Weeks Notice, America’s Sweethearts, and The Ugly Truth. Tip of the iceberg. Seen ‘em all before. Will watch ‘em all again. No question. The real ugly truth is that I am sharing this with anyone. I need a shower. P.S. I Love You (no, not you…I forgot to mention this movie)