DVD Corner

Falling In Love At The Movies Book Review

You’ll fall for “Falling In Love At The Movies.” 

Written by author/entertainment journalist Esther Zuckerman, “Falling In Love At The Movies” is less of a list book like past TCM releases and more of an examination of the evolution of rom-coms from the 20’s to modern day. The book is divided into 14 chapters which each have their own focus. Subjects include directors (like Nora Ephron, Preston Sturges, James L. Brooks, etc), rom-com origins, meet-cute yarns (“Moonstruck” and “The Holiday”), the men and women stars of the genre (Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, Audrey Hepburn, Hugh Grant, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart to name a few), perfect on screen pairings (Tracy and Hepburn, Day and Hudson, and Ryan and Hanks), tropes (high maintenance woman, the baxter, the bad girl and the best friend, the men in crisis, and deceptions), fantasy rom-coms (“13 Going On 30,” “Groundhog Day,” etc.), hopeful/bittersweet/sad endings (“Roman Holiday”), time periods, messages, teen romance (such as “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Sixteen Candles”) and LGBTQ+ tales (“But I’m A Cheerleader,”). The book also includes a sidebar titled “Perfect Rom-Com Moments” that highlights a scene from rom-com classics (like Cher realizing she loves Josh in “Clueless”). Index, a bibliography and acknowledgments are also included.

From the opening introduction it’s clear that Esther Zuckerman has a passion for the rom-com genre. Through each chapter, Zuckerman digs into Hollywood’s long history of rom-coms including screwballs, workplace romances, teen romance, and meet-cutes (a popular term these days) while also making a case for the genre’s value and legitimacy. Essentially, she’s giving rom-coms their due. As much as the author treasures films like “You’ve Got Mail,” she is also unafraid to point out shortcomings, outlandish plots (“Sleepless In Seattle”), dated elements (“The Bachelor And The Bobby-Soxer”), or controversial films (“Chasing Amy”) and figures (Woody Allen).

In the chapters, readers can expect many of the greats to be covered like “Notting Hill,” “Before Sunrise,” “Say Anything,” “When Harry Met Sally,” you get the drift. Films getting the spotlight are often accompanied by story and character details and analysis, quotes, pictures, facts, themes, and historical context. Zuckerman also explores rom-com subgenres and tropes like troubled men learning and growing through love. 

There are a few noticeable omissions that had me scratching my head. “Sideways,” “Her,” “Mallrats,” and “The Artist” are nowhere to be seen here. Even stranger is the lack of animated films, musicals (especially “Singin’ In The Rain” which is one of the all-time best rom-coms), and Charlie Chaplin (how do you not include “City Lights”?).

Rom-coms aren’t exactly in their heyday like in the 80’s and 90’s, but they still continue to endure and evolve as Zuckerman addresses here. For anyone that has a passion for rom-coms or wants to learn about the film genre’s history, “Falling In Love At The Movies” is a must read.

November 27, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Falling In Love At The Movies Book Review, Notting Hill, Rom-Com, Sleepless In Seattle, TCM, The Holiday