Director Elizabeth Sankey, who is also the film’s narrator, was obsessed with romantic comedies when she was growing up. The genre had a streak of box office hits mainly in the 90s—When Harry Met Sally and Runaway Bride influenced Sankey greatly and impacted her perception of relationships, emotions and the idea of love itself. Years later, she claims that their impact was mostly negative. The sexism, the traditional gender roles, and the portrayal of mostly white, straight, middle-class couples resulted in strengthening the conservative social order. The documentary is comprised of clips taken from iconic and internationally beloved romantic comedies and it provides a thorough critique and insightful analysis of this rather codified genre. Posing questions about its future and possible ways out of the cultural trap that the characters of the genre seem to be stuck in, Romantic Comedy takes viewers on a much needed critical ride through the world of love entanglements.
Elizabeth Sankey
Elizabeth Sankey
Jeremy Warmsley
Jessica Barden, Cameron Cook, Anne T. Donahue, Simran Hans, Brodie Lancaster
UK