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Zohra Sadat ECI 430 Paul Harvey Vain. Conceited. Cougars. Clueless. Heartless. Humorless. These are all adjectives that describe women in one of the most popular genres of movies, romantic comedies. To an innocent bystander (or moviegoer), romantic comedies can seem quite harmless; it has the usual story of a boy and girl falling in love but not without some conveniently comedic drama that eventually results in them living happily ever after. I used to be one of those naive girls that found these movies to be purely innocent and entertaining.

Rom-coms or romantic comedies is a genre that specifically appeals to women due to the fact that it incorporates many women’s favorite topic, love, with entertainment at the same time. In about 90 minutes, a woman’s mood will change from either upset to satisfied, or happy to happier. Whatever problem she has coming into the movie, will soon be out of her mind when she leaves the movie. That’s the beauty and magic of romantic comedies. It can make you feel like you are on top of the world, even though your world maybe crumbling down.

//Sex and the City// is one such movie that has paved the way for womankind, or at least for women in America. The story follows four friends living it up in NYC, looking for love, whether it is platonic or romantic. What makes the movie so appealing for women is the fact that the main characters are so real, albeit they maybe a little richer than you and me, but other than that, they seem to be relatable. These ladies are best of friends and it makes the audience feel like they are the fifth best friend. Going off of the television series and into the movie, //Sex and the City// has served as a model for women, especially in the department of fashion. Never have we seen a more fashionable group than these four women, who set trends instantly with their Chanel dresses , Manolo Blahnik pumps, and Hermes purses. Not only are these women fashion-forward, but they are independent. Women over 30 are no longer seen as desperate spinsters unlucky in love. Now, these same women are seen with such vitality and youth that it makes it okay for her to be happily searching for Mr. Right. Essentially, this series and movie have created a culture of its own, with women striving hard to become part of this world. Every girl wants to be them and why not? What girl wouldn’t want to be fashionable, intelligent, and independent?

Another popular romantic comedy is the film //He’s Just Not that Into You.// This movie is divided into four different storylines all dealing with love that connect in the climax of the movie. The women in this film are similar to that of the women in //Sex and the City// in that they are independent as well. All of the women are strong individuals, determined to attain their goals, whether that is finding true love, building their dream home, or figuring out what they really want out of life. These women from the outside can seem to be very quirky and naive, but once you delve deeper, you realize that they are smarter than they look. They just wait for the most opportune moment to strike, instead of rushing into things. The average woman can learn a lot from this group of ladies. They can learn that it is okay being in a loving relationship even though you aren’t married or having the dream house before the husband and kids is perfectly acceptable. Not everyone has to abide by traditional societal values, and that by straying away from these values can ultimately make someone very happy.

Becoming pregnant by a one-night stand isn’t the average women’s ideal situation, but Alison Scott from //Knocked Up//, makes the best of her situation due to the fact that she is a fighter. Not only does she have drop-dead model looks, but she has the brains of a scholar. She is career-driven and constantly pushing herself to higher limits. Just because she gets pregnant by basically a stranger, a lovable stranger at that doesn’t seem to stop Alison in the least. At first, she seems to be allowing society to dictate her future, but she realizes that this future was not right for her. She ultimately had control of her own destiny and that is exactly what she did. Women in our society can take away from this film the fact that it is all right to not conform to societal values. Women should think about what is right for them, instead of thinking about what others think is right for them.

// But now for the rest of the story. . . // Many women watch romantic comedies because of the fact that they look at the female characters and their lives in a relatable and personable way. They feel as though these movies serve as models for them to emulate in their own lives in a positive way. But according to some researchers, romantic comedies can give women "unrealistic and potentially unhealthy expectations about real life relationships" (The Notting Hill Effect, 2009). The problem is that after watching these movies, many women start to believe in predestined love and perfect relationships. To these women, they feel like there should not be work involved in making a relationship work. People are more influenced by the media than they are aware of. They need to be more critical about the messages that are being depicted in the films in order to not set themselves up for disappointment (The Notting Hill Effect, 2009).

Women make up the majority audience for romantic comedies. Yes, women can learn a few things from the female characters in these films, but in reality, these movies are just a fantasy. They offer entertainment, but beyond that, there is nothing else. These movies essentially butcher the perception of life, in that perfection is something attainable. But the truth is that life is full of imperfection, but that is what makes it so beautiful. Life is not like a movie and some people need to realize that before they ruin their own life.

Derbyshire, David. 2009. //The Notting Hill Effect: how romantic comedies can harm your love life .// DailyMail. @http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1095106/The-Notting-Hill-effect-How-romantic-comedies-harm-love-life.html
 * **__Works Cited__**

Greg Berendht. //He’s just not that into you.// DVD. Directed by Ken Kwapis. Balitmore, Maryland: New Line Cinemas, 2009.

Judd Apatow. //Knocked Up.// DVD. Directed by Judd Apatow. Los Angeles, California: Universal Pictures, 2007.

Michael Patrick King. //Sex and the City.// DVD. Directed by Michael Patrick King. New York, New York: Warner Bros Pictures, 2008. ||