School couples, Valentine’s Day and rom-coms — what do they all have in common? They have a way of making people feel extra lonely. While rom-coms may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they can evoke a lot of emotion for those who do enjoy them. Some people prefer to kick back and watch the classics like “Clueless” or “10 Things I Hate About You,” while others lean toward more modern films. For many, the debate between old and new rom-coms often comes down to their differences in key elements.
One of the most common distinctions includes pacing. Older rom-coms often embrace the “love at first sight” trope, with relationships progressing very quickly. Soon after meeting, these characters swoon over each other and live the fictional realities that many viewers dream of. Modern movies, on the other hand, often leave viewers shouting at their TVs as the romance takes a slow burn.
“They drag [the romance] out longer in modern-day [rom-coms, and] they should because when I’m looking at the timeline in the 2000s, I’m like, ‘Wait, didn’t y’all just meet yesterday?’,” Abby Griffith (11) said.
Maybe the older rom-coms did move much faster, but the men in these romances were also depicted differently from modern-day men. For instance, they seemed like picture-perfect gentlemen, treating the women with respect and care and allowing them to live out that ladylike character. But the men in modern rom-coms seem less concerned with the little things and, overall, carry a more disinterested, nonchalant style, perhaps contributing to the popularity of slower-paced romances.
“I wish the guys were nicer,” Elina Roy (9) said. “Like in the recent movies, they don’t bring girls flowers or stand by their windows; it’s not the same.”
As these new relationships present themselves, they not only affect people romantically but also affect friends and family. In the past, meeting the parents and making a good first impression played a big role in determining the path of a couple’s relationship. As for modern-day rom-coms, people seem less concerned with their family’s approval, with characters focusing less on how their family perceives their relationship. Some argue it is a matter of weakened morals, and others claim it is not as important as it once was.
“[Romance] used to be [more focused on] if the families liked each other,” Roy said. “In the modern [rom-coms] that I’ve seen, they kind of forget about their families and leave them [out].”
All these films and all this romance, but can this be true in real life? Are these standards too much to ask for, or is it what should be expected? Well, the answer is, that there is no right answer. In some films, these traits seem somewhat realistic and model what a healthy standard could be. But in other circumstances, not so much. As the rom-com genre has gained more popularity, more meet-cutes and romances are exaggerated to add spice to the storyline.
“[Older rom-coms] set up ideals that we should have and we should move closer towards because men are not like how they are in the movies,” Griffith said. “We need those standards.”
Rom-com-worthy moments can mean something different for everyone, but they often carry sentimental value. Some people may find themselves experiencing these moments with that special someone, while others may wait patiently for their turn to arrive. However, these moments, big or small, can leave a lasting impact for many, whether it be memories or little moments, it is something they can share.
“I danced outside with a man on my birthday,” Griffith said. “We just played music, and it was dark … we didn’t even have shoes on; we just danced, and it was fun.”
