In the 2000s, rom-coms were a big thing, it spaced pop culture, drama, and so much more. So, how did something so good in the 2000s become so bad in the present times? Well, I wanted to do a deep dive into why rom-coms do not hit the same as it was before. In the 2000s, we had big shows, One Tree Hill, The OC, and movies like Cinderella story, 13 Going on 30, and more. Nowadays, we stuff like The idea of you, love me, love me, and Anyone but you. These shows and movies are rom-coms, but two different feelings. Why is that? 

Money, the film industry nowadays is money-hungry; they want quick cash, that’s why Netflix has a brunch. There are movies coming out that are bad but have popular actors that will bring viewers, and quick cash. There are a lot of remarks happening when it comes to the 2000s movies. Freaker Friday, The Devil Wears Prada, and so much more. The film industry is capitalizing on nostalgia. Nostalgia, the feeling of connection. This brings a bigger issue. The feeling of wanting to connect, in the era when relationships are superficial, social media, and never feeling good enough. The film industry is promoting nostalgia, but with the wrong motives, money. 

Sex appeal, sex has always sold, for example, Marilyn Monroe’s career. The early years of rom-com and screwball movies highlighted the fact that sex is a pleasing thing for husbands and women, and broke the barrier that sex is only for procreation. Now, why do I bring it up? Movies and shows now have created plots that involve sex heavy and not connected growth. Having characters that are driven by lust rather than connection. These films showcase the culture of today, hookup culture. However, at what cost? In an era where we are craving human connection, I believe that this is drawing us back. Adding to this, a lot of males love incest in film, which showcases toxic standards that are not healthy. It brings the idea that this is normal, when it is just being superficial. Sex appeal now is just adding wanted a connection that is not healthy. It is taking away what Sex appeal stands for, breaking barriers and creating a world that wasn’t possible for women.  

BookTok, when you see rom-coms nowadays, most of the time they are based on books. A lot of books deserve to be turned into a movie; however, when it comes to booktok, smut is a huge topic when it comes to that. However, is it a good thing? Booktok has made connections that are based on lust, normal. Read what you want to read, you are entitled for that. However, when it starts to influence how people see relationships, literature and how people view the world. It becomes a bigger issue. Booktok can lead to great stories, but with the understanding how it will impact the views. 

Colour grading, as someone who is graduating from a media program. I’ve been asked this question: why is colour grading different in rom-com nowadays? Well, I believe that the studio wants the high-budget look rather than the cozy look. Which I believe adds to why rom-coms are not the same. In the 2000s, the movie had a cozy feel, a feeling of having a break from life. It just made you happy. Nowadays, the colour grading has made it modern, a real feeling. It became not an escape, but a continuing life. Colour grading, believe it or not, matters.

Rom-coms are worth spending money on; we are craving human connection, and rom-coms can help us. It did in the 2000s. As humans, we need a break from life, and rom-coms can do that. We just need the budget. I hope that this helps showcase that rom-coms are worth putting money into.