BDBF Attorneys Dish – Our Favorite Rom-Coms

Valentine’s Day is here!  And what is Valentine’s Day if not a time to celebrate love and romance in all its cheesy variations?  Well, for most folks.  A discussion of favorite rom-coms led to some workplace conflict at Bulman Dunie!

Jeremy Rachlin

The 1990s were the golden age of rom-coms.  For me, Notting Hill takes the cake.  A normal guy in a boring job with a slightly crazy family has a chance encounter with a beautiful celebrity who falls madly in love with him.  It could happen to any of us average Joes (provided we look like Hugh Grant and have a charming British accent).

Meg Rosan

I agree with Jeremy that the 1990s were rife with award-winning rom-coms, and in my view, Sleepless in Seattle is the greatest of them all. First, you have two of the G.O.A.T. rom-com actors in one film: Tom Hanks (“Sam”) and Meg Ryan (“Annie”). Then, you have scenes from one of film history’s greatest romantic films (Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr’s “An Affair to Remember”) woven throughout the movie, and referenced repeatedly, such as in the final scene when Sam and Annie meet at the top of the Empire State Building. And finally, you have quirky rom-com moments that might be easy for some to miss, but which have found a permanent home in my brain: the scene where Annie is driving in the rain, listening to a version of Jingle Bells that has her humming ‘harses harses harses’; oh and Sam’s son’s friend, who speaks in abbreves and declares Sam and Annie are “M.F.E.O.” (made for each other).

Dan Shaivitz

When Jeremy asked us about our favorite rom-com, my first instinct was to shove him down the stairs at the office. But instead of shoving Jeremy, I performed a comprehensive search of famous rom-coms. And, you know what? I realized some of my favorite movies of all time fall into that disgusting genre. For instance, Say Anything, One Crazy Summer, Better Off Dead, Sixteen Candles, and pretty much any moving from the 80s starring or featuring John Cusack has been my favorite movie at some point. Heck, we can throw a cherry on top and fast forward to 1997 with Grosse Point Blank. I guess what I am trying to say is, Jeremy (and maybe John Cusack) will you be my valentine(s)?

Liz Farley

I don’t recognize the names of any of the movies Dan mentioned since I wasn’t alive in the 80s. But my favorite rom/com is She’s the Man starring a young Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. The movie is full of great one-liners, some excellent soccer talent, and multiple love triangles! In the end (almost) everyone ends up happily in love.  (Editor’s Note – Liz waited until she was outside of Jeremy and Dan and Meg’s presence to say this because she knew we’d all feel ancient).

What is your favorite rom-com?  Or do you channel your inner Oscar Grouch like Dan?  Let us know!