It’s in the air….

What could possibly make me think of romantic comedies today?

I’m thinking perhaps it has something to do with it being Valentine’s Day, the holiday of romance and chocolates, flowers and cute cupid notes.

Vegan meal “selfie” by our granddaughter

So, is this a good time to begin making lists? Of course, it is. For me, most days are a good time to create curations of films, or theater, and such.

Today is a great day to appreciate the rom-coms. So here we go:

• Anyone of a number of sometimes very moving Hallmark, yes that Hallmark, Channel films. Of particular note, 
• Elevator Girl. although many others have elicited tears and joy.
• Serendipity is underrated by most, but very appealing, and perfect for this category.
• Bull Durham has always been the top choice for most romantic film story of all-time for me.
• Like the Drew Barrymore rom-com, Fever Pitch, Bull Durham has both hearts and baseball in its corner.
• Barefoot in the Park has recently become an obsession. It has the advantage of pairing Jane Fonda at her most charming and the droll and handsome Robert Redford.
• Speaking of Redford, he also stars opposite Barbra Streisand in the most delightfully sad-lovely tale The Way We Were.

Blossoms in a teapot (c) Tamara Beck

Lists like these are fraught with the dilemmas that choosing always brings us. They are also patently absurd, and ever so restrictive. And of course, totally incomplete. It is also nearly impossible to truly pick a favorite. The very process of creating an archive like this is exhausting!

• Moonstruck is definitely a love story that makes the list for V’Day viewing.
• Diane Keaton is still churning out romantic comedies, including the current Book Club, 
• but her preeminent role was as Annie Hall.
• Something’s Gotta Give makes this list, as well, in another Keaton led romance.
• Her co-star in that lovely little love story, Jack Nicholson is truly romantic in Anything Goes and also in
• Terms of Endearment, with Shirley MacLaine, a bitter-sweet story that pleases and pains.
• Waiting to Exhale is very romantic and one of my hubby’s favorites, as is it’s star, Whitney Houston.
• Angela Bassett can be found there as well as in How Stella Got Her Groove On
• Bassett also appears in an anti-Valentine, as it were, the classic What’s Love Got to Do With It, (it makes the list for its portrayal of resilience
• Let’s not make an unValentine list just now!

• Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan made their contribution to the genre with Sleepless in Seattle and
• You’ve Got Mail, a remake of
• The Shop Around the Corner, remade as
• In the Good Old Summertime, a musical vehicle for Judy Garland, Van Johnson and SZ Sakall.
• Deliver Us From Eva is a romance of empowerment and love
• along the lines of Kiss Me Kate and let’s add another 
• Gabrielle Union picture Two Can Play That Game

It’s Valentine’s Day, so I will now retire with a cup of hot, rich coffee and admire the roses my husband put in my window!