Loved this Rachael! Especially the conversation around rom-coms, because interestingly enough it was the same conversation I was having with myself after seeing Bridget Jones on the weekend and ended up dumping into some rambles. I 100% agree that a rom-com *must* have comedy, but I do think there is space for grief and sadness alongside. I've read some great and funny books that deal with grief that absolutely deserve to be counted as rom-coms!
I tried to pick my brain in regard to modern rom-com movies and it really is tough to think of some that have wowed me in the way noughties rom-coms did; Upgraded on Amazon and Set It Up on Netflix come to mind.
Oh I totlaly agree re grief and sadness. My book THE OTHER BRIDGET (apparently a rom-com) is a tear-jerker too :) I'll put those recommendations on my list. Thanks. x
I LOVED the movie and the way it dealt with grief and all the nods to Bridget symbolism in the past books and movies - and the return of all the old characters. I loved the way they dealt with grief too - I was totally caught out by the scene at the school concert and was having to restrain myself from sobbing in the cinema! It's met me at a moment of some sadness in my life though, and I appreciated the nostalgia. I would have liked the romance stories to collide a bit more - we missed out on a good fight scene - ha ha.
Big hugs on the sadness in your life. I'm looking forward to watching again and see if I like it better when I don't have so much prosecco in me ;) And YES, we DID need a fight scene (or something massive like that) where the romance stories collided! Spot on! x
Thanks Rach - and I guess we will just have to imagine that fight scene - shame!!! Will be interested to hear your thoughts on second viewing sans Prosecco 😂!
I had very low expectations for the new Bridget movie so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, I even got a little teary in some of the ghostly Darcy parts. I haven't read any of the books so maybe that was why I enjoyed it so much. I agree that Tom's hair needs to be cut off immediately!!!
I listened to an episode of Mad About the Boy where Helen Fielding was interviewed & she said MD had to be killed off because she couldn't have Bridget being a "smug married". It's a great podcast series.
As for new rom-coms that I've enjoyed- Anyone But You! I think I've watched it 3 or 4 times already. It makes me so happy.
So interesting - I do think whatever expectations you take into a book or movie really affect your rating ;) Oh I LOVED the book and thoroughly agree with MD being killed off. Poro guy :) Ooh I think I LOVED Anyone But You too. Just looking it up to check it's the one I'm thinking of! x
I tried to read BJD years ago but couldn't get into it. I don't know if I wasn't in the right headspace or if they truly aren't my thing.... I do love all the movies though.
So great catching up with you Rachael!! I too wasn’t a fan of the movie. I mean, I cried (several times) and I thought Daniel Cleaver was still a deliciously posh cad but I just didn’t buy the chemistry with the whistle blowing teacher. They spent so much time exploring the younger guy angle (which had great chemistry) that I never felt the connection between the other two.
Also feel I should point out that while granny pants are memorable you Missed the real lasting magic from past BJ - “I like you just the way you are”. A close second for me is Mark saying “oh yes they fucking do” when BJ states that nice boys don’t kiss like that. Still makes my heart happy dance!
LOL on Daniel Cleaver - Hugh Grant is a brilliant actor. And I totally agree re the chemisty of the younger guy and Bridget, which sacrificed the HEA of the other love interest. And OMG you're right. I LOVE those lines as well. Total classics!! x
So many interesting thoughts here that have been on my mind too, Rach! I really enjoyed Coco Mellors' appearance on the Sentimental Garbage podcast last week, talking about 10 Things I Hate About You, and she made the great point that the best rom-coms balance levity and gravity. So even if it makes you laugh, you don't get the same warm, fuzzy feeling from a rom-com that doesn't have stakes, maybe some heartache and of course a properly-realised love story.
The Saturday panel discussion was fabulous Rachael and my daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you in person. The banter afterwards with you & the other authors was fun too and a memorable highlight 😍
Oooh I loved BJ too but didn’t love Mad about a Boy as much either…. I just found it too sad…. I didn’t expect to cry at a B J movie!! I missed Mark Darcy. I still loved Hugh!! Yes I agree lots of contemporary fiction not much of the traditional…. Line remembering rom coms still. Notting Hill is definitely a favourite
Loved this Rachael! Especially the conversation around rom-coms, because interestingly enough it was the same conversation I was having with myself after seeing Bridget Jones on the weekend and ended up dumping into some rambles. I 100% agree that a rom-com *must* have comedy, but I do think there is space for grief and sadness alongside. I've read some great and funny books that deal with grief that absolutely deserve to be counted as rom-coms!
I tried to pick my brain in regard to modern rom-com movies and it really is tough to think of some that have wowed me in the way noughties rom-coms did; Upgraded on Amazon and Set It Up on Netflix come to mind.
Oh I totlaly agree re grief and sadness. My book THE OTHER BRIDGET (apparently a rom-com) is a tear-jerker too :) I'll put those recommendations on my list. Thanks. x
I LOVED the movie and the way it dealt with grief and all the nods to Bridget symbolism in the past books and movies - and the return of all the old characters. I loved the way they dealt with grief too - I was totally caught out by the scene at the school concert and was having to restrain myself from sobbing in the cinema! It's met me at a moment of some sadness in my life though, and I appreciated the nostalgia. I would have liked the romance stories to collide a bit more - we missed out on a good fight scene - ha ha.
Big hugs on the sadness in your life. I'm looking forward to watching again and see if I like it better when I don't have so much prosecco in me ;) And YES, we DID need a fight scene (or something massive like that) where the romance stories collided! Spot on! x
Thanks Rach - and I guess we will just have to imagine that fight scene - shame!!! Will be interested to hear your thoughts on second viewing sans Prosecco 😂!
lol
I had very low expectations for the new Bridget movie so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, I even got a little teary in some of the ghostly Darcy parts. I haven't read any of the books so maybe that was why I enjoyed it so much. I agree that Tom's hair needs to be cut off immediately!!!
I listened to an episode of Mad About the Boy where Helen Fielding was interviewed & she said MD had to be killed off because she couldn't have Bridget being a "smug married". It's a great podcast series.
As for new rom-coms that I've enjoyed- Anyone But You! I think I've watched it 3 or 4 times already. It makes me so happy.
So interesting - I do think whatever expectations you take into a book or movie really affect your rating ;) Oh I LOVED the book and thoroughly agree with MD being killed off. Poro guy :) Ooh I think I LOVED Anyone But You too. Just looking it up to check it's the one I'm thinking of! x
I tried to read BJD years ago but couldn't get into it. I don't know if I wasn't in the right headspace or if they truly aren't my thing.... I do love all the movies though.
I loved Mad About the Boy. I thought it had more substance than the last one.
Perhaps - but I LOVED the comedy in BJ Baby :) I LOVED the book of MAD ABOUT THE BOY when I read it years ago! x
So great catching up with you Rachael!! I too wasn’t a fan of the movie. I mean, I cried (several times) and I thought Daniel Cleaver was still a deliciously posh cad but I just didn’t buy the chemistry with the whistle blowing teacher. They spent so much time exploring the younger guy angle (which had great chemistry) that I never felt the connection between the other two.
Also feel I should point out that while granny pants are memorable you Missed the real lasting magic from past BJ - “I like you just the way you are”. A close second for me is Mark saying “oh yes they fucking do” when BJ states that nice boys don’t kiss like that. Still makes my heart happy dance!
LOL on Daniel Cleaver - Hugh Grant is a brilliant actor. And I totally agree re the chemisty of the younger guy and Bridget, which sacrificed the HEA of the other love interest. And OMG you're right. I LOVE those lines as well. Total classics!! x
So many interesting thoughts here that have been on my mind too, Rach! I really enjoyed Coco Mellors' appearance on the Sentimental Garbage podcast last week, talking about 10 Things I Hate About You, and she made the great point that the best rom-coms balance levity and gravity. So even if it makes you laugh, you don't get the same warm, fuzzy feeling from a rom-com that doesn't have stakes, maybe some heartache and of course a properly-realised love story.
That's SUCH a good point! I'll have to listen to that ep. x
The Saturday panel discussion was fabulous Rachael and my daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you in person. The banter afterwards with you & the other authors was fun too and a memorable highlight 😍
Was so lovely to chat with you both! x
Oooh I loved BJ too but didn’t love Mad about a Boy as much either…. I just found it too sad…. I didn’t expect to cry at a B J movie!! I missed Mark Darcy. I still loved Hugh!! Yes I agree lots of contemporary fiction not much of the traditional…. Line remembering rom coms still. Notting Hill is definitely a favourite
OH I'm glad it wasn't just me re Mad About the Boy. Notting Hill is perfect :) x