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The Quick 10: The American Film Institute's Top 10 Romantic Comedies
With Valentine's Day looming around the corner, I thought this was an appropriate list for today. I'm generally not a fan of romantic comedies "“ at least, not ones from recent years. I love the old ones, but if you want to guarantee that I won't see a movie, put Kate Hudson or Drew Barrymore in it. Except I'm lying, because I sort of have plans to see He's Just Not That Into You this weekend. But you know what I mean.
That being said, I fully support eight of the 10 movies on the American Film Institute's top 10 romance movies of all time. I'll let you guess which two I dislike immensely. First to guess correctly wins Carl Kasell's voice on their home answering machine? That's the second lie I've told in one paragraph. I'd better quit while I'm ahead.
2. Annie Hall was nominated for five Oscars and won four of them "“ Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Woody Allen lost the Best Actor award to Richard Dreyfuss for his performance in The Goodbye Girl.
3. It Happened One Night. This one struck Oscar gold too "“ it won in all five categories it was nominated in, including Best Actor and Actress Awards for Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Supposedly, when Clark Gable bucked the trend of wearing an undershirt in this film, undershirt sales dramatically dropped across the country. Snopes calls this one undetermined.
4. Roman Holiday. This 1953 film is the one that won Audrey Hepburn her Academy Award (she also won a Golden Globe for it). And, you know, Gregory Peck was not too shabby in it either.
5. The Philadelphia Story.
With Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart, it's kind of hard to go wrong. Stewart won the Best Actor Academy Award for his role as tabloid reporter Mike Connor, but felt that it was sort of a makeup Oscar since the Academy failed to award him one for his part in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
6. When Harry Met Sally. Fun fact: the lady who says, "I'll have what she's having" after Meg Ryan really enjoys her sandwich is Rob Reiner's mother.
7. Adam's Rib. Another classic with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Two married lawyers take opposing sides of a case; hilarity ensues. Ruth Gordon, the star of the #9 film below, was nominated for an Oscar for best screenplay.
8. Moonstruck, the 1987 movie starring Cher and Nicolas Cage. It won three of the six Oscars it was nominated for, including Cher and Olympia Dukakis' Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress wins (respectively).
9. Harold and Maude. This one makes all kinds of AFI lists "“ it also comes in at #45 on the 100 Laughs list, #69 on the 100 Passions list, and #89 on the 100 Cheers list. Despite this, it wasn't nominated for any Academy Awards. Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon did receive Best Actor and Actress nominations at the Golden Globes, but didn't win.
10. Sleepless in Seattle. This movie could have starred Kim Basinger instead of Meg Ryan, but Basinger turned the role down and has later said she very much regretted it. The movie it was based on, An Affair to Remember, take the top spot #5 spot on AFI's "100 Years ... 100 Passions" list.
What do you think should have made the list? I nominate The Princess Bride.
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