Those pants.
Annie Hall (Annie Hall)It is because of Annie Hall that I will forever be a fan of Diane Keaton. I mean, really, what girl would fall for this talkative, all-knowing, neurotic old dude Alvy Singer (Woody Allen), who kept on complaining about their relationship and basically anything about the world. Whatever it is, Annie takes the cake for her candidness and memorable getup that make her one iconic female character, with Diane Keaton becoming one of those lead stars to watch out for fashion-wise in Hollywood. Claaaaahss!
Just like the rest of the female roles that are included in this list, Annie is a puzzle but despite the eccentricity, she and Alvy are matched chemically and intellectually. Anne may not be considered intelligent compared to Alvy, but one of her most desirable traits is her drive to keep in step with Alvy, and her wittiness and rawness charging toward the trials that go with being in a complicated relationship with him. And although the film didn’t end happily, you’re left feeling good about the whole thing and with Annie, in utmost relief for she knew what was and what wasn't in the relationship, and she didn’t even have to drive herself to think too much about it.
Every woman in that restaurant at that time wanted to be her.
Sally Albright (When Harry Met Sally)
Probably one of the best rom-coms of all time, and Sally (Meg Ryan) mixed well with Harry’s (Billy Crystal) total oppositeness. The way that Sally’s true complexity hid behind her being a little too polite, makes her such a relatable character. The reality is that there are a lot of women out there who’d always try their best to be nice and shiny and pleasant, when in fact they are just like any other person with flaws and insecurities.
What makes Sally so lovable is how she represented for the females in the famous diner scene when Harry insisted that he’s all that in bed. And how she’s branded as “high maintenance but thinks she’s low maintenance” by the way she orders food at a restaurant.
Of course, with the movie being the ultimate rom-com fix, things had to end well eventually between the two leads, which I guess was Sally’s period of enlightenment—realizing and admitting her feelings to Harry, which we’re sure was there from the very beginning, but was only contained due to Sally’s being well-behaved. Although, things would’ve gotten worse if she’d entertained the possibility between them prematurely. A disastrous thought and that's why I leave writing screenplays to the experts.
Hey, look! It's Julia Roberts playing Anna Scott who's suspiciously like Julia Roberts.
At one point in our lives, we've dreamt of becoming a gorgeous and commercially successful Hollywood actress, who just stumbled upon her true love in the most unassuming place, right? No? Okay. Anyway, it's one amazing, fairytale-like mess, methinks. The way Will Thacker (Hugh Grant) was able to win Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) is just a joy to see, in a way, it kinda looked like Anna was the busy overachieving guy who came down from the sky and swept the simple girl off of her feet. We, from time to time like to think that we're the ones who control our destiny when it comes to relationships (oh wait, that happens all the time.) and it's a bit liberating and empowering to see that in Anna Scott. Plus, meeting Will's offbeat family was hella fun.
There was a time when social climbing looked classy.
Holly Golightly (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
Probably, the very first classic American film that I ever got to watch was Breakfast and since then, I’ve been in love with the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s eras just as much as the modern ones.
I do think that the charming Holly Golightly film role wouldn’t have been as charming if it weren’t for Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal. Especially the fact that Holly was this social butterfly from the country, but despite that she was able to catch the eye of the rich and dapper-looking Paul Varjak (George Peppard) and was able to win her in the end makes for a happy chick flick night by yourself. Also, that Holly’s black dress had a life of its own made Audrey/Holly a major fashion icon in the industry, thanks to the fact that Audrey had an amazing body frame that sat well with the entire outfit. Do check out Audrey’s massive feet, it deserves a mention as well. Also, Holly singing Moon River—lovely.
Heartbreak is pretty like this. Eff you, Summer.
Summer Finn ((500) Days of Summer)
Have to be honest, the very first time I saw this film, I didn’t become an instant fan. Mainly due to the fact that Summer (Zooey Deschanel) deeply hurt such a cutie-pie in Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and she also put the dating female population on a bad light. Of course, that was me kinda being defensive. Anyway, by the time I saw the movie for the second time, I was able to appreciate the film more, moreover, Summer. Because there really are girls like that—as amazing and as indecisive and as fickle-minded and as disarming as Summer—that any man who’d fall for her would end up badly bruised and broken.
But guys (especially the few good ones) please don’t feel bad or sorry for yourself. These so-called “ones that got away,” which actually ought to be called “ones that had to be let go” instead, are there to teach you a life-long lesson or two. As the cliché goes, what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger and these ladies, the Summers of your lives, although cannot be considered “girlfriend material,” will be one of the best things you’ll ever get to experience and just like Tom, please don’t curse them when you bump into them years after. Rather, thank them for slapping you with the harsh but hopeful reality of love.
--Love, Soc
I have always liked the stubborn, strong-willed leading lady stereotypes in romantic comedies just for the sake of seeing them fall from their high horses and succumb to the equally strong-willed and stubborn man who they desperately try to ignore but can’t get away from. It’s like the universe’s sweet revenge, laughing giddily while the heroines throw everything and just fall. A sort of catch-22 with the characters deciding to be damned together which is infinitely better than be damned apart.
With the exception of Summer (Zooey Deschanel, 500 Days of Summer), I think she was just plain evil. Well, I think I’m just being defensive here but I think I can agree that we all have our Summers who’d throw us off our balance and probably teach us a valuable lesson. Though, I didn’t think that she had to be that evil.
Er... I kind of don’t trust that Autumn either.
I feel awkward talking about romcoms. It’s not that I don’t like them, in fact, I enjoy them immensely. But, too much mushiness and romance makes me awkward. Like, there’s something distrustful about those things.
*cough*
Moving On...
We've all tried it once, say it with me, Smoooooooooooter.
Melanie Smooter-Perry/Carmichael (Sweet Home Alabama)
Melanie Carmichael has the fairy tale life being a high-powered New York fashion designer engaged to the son of the mayor. That is until she goes back to Unknown-town, Alabama to demand a divorce from her husband when she becomes Melanie Smooter again. She’s great as a Carmichael and she’s ruthless as a Smooter and I love her for that.
Then try as she might to fight for her fairy tale life, she wounds up wondering why she left in the first place when probably the best love stories aren’t as glossy.
Perfect excuse to use this macro.
Margaret Tate (The Proposal)
If it wasn’t for the threat of deportation because of an expired visa, I don’t think that Margaret would ever take a second look at her passive-aggressive assistant Andrew. Sure, he’s hot and all but she’s running a big business and love was just another distraction for her – oh wait, she just forgot how it feels to be loved, being left alone to fend for herself at 16.
Now, these are the people I like. You’d think that they have a big stick up their ass but actually, they’re just teddy bears waiting to be cuddled inside.
Drew Barrymore in possibly the most awesome prom getup ever.
Josie Geller (Never Been Kissed)
Intelligent and pretty but held back immensely by traumas from the past. The courage is there but it’s somewhat spread in the wrong places. I mean, I could not imagine myself going back to where my nightmares occurred and she just did it (sure, it was a work assignment but that’s beside the point).
Out of all the Drew Barrymore romcoms, I think this has to be my favourite one. It’s like an explosion of insecurities and nothing comes easy to the heroine. All throughout the movie, she just struggles and struggles to get rid of her demons and nothing magical really occurs - except for that first kiss.
What started Anne Hathaway in her princess track.
Ella (Ella Enchanted)
Now, this is the complete opposite of the last one. Everything is about magic here, from start to finish. But even with the aid of magic, that doesn’t stop Ella from being so dense about love. Well, that is, until after a night of partying (how appropriate), Ella admits that she is indeed in love with the Prince Charming.
Having been bestowed with a gift of unrelenting obedience, Ella rebelled by being an advocate of elves, giants and ogre rights which in that time and place is quite incredulous. Doubly more for a girl like her. But like every tale, she forges on and ultimately breaks free from the spell and gets her happily ever after in the end – like how every fairy tale should end.
-- xo, Tula
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