Romantic Comedy: The Unsettling Genre

Love stories that test the lovers' capacity for commitment; long-term relationships that pass the tests of time, triteness, and temptation, and sail triumphantly to the altar; the dream and promise of eternal love; eloquent wedding proposals and emotional vows; spiritual growth through parenthood and the pitter-patter of little feet; finding the right companion and settling down. Settling.

Then why is romantic comedy such an unsettling genre?

Simply because settling down does not imply or entail settling for less.

The life force that is Susan (Katharine Hepburn) sways precariously on an unstable ladder as David (Cary Grant) reaches for her from atop a dinosaur skeleton. As he hoists her up, the skeleton falls and crumbles, in a paleontological metaphor of his shattered resistance to romance.

The chronically timid Daniel (Albert Brooks) obstinately, desperately holds on to the moving vehicle that will take his afterlife love Julia (Meryl Streep) away for all eternity. His courage and perseverance melt the hearts of the powers that be, the doors open, and the lovers unite forever and ever.

Ex-confirmed bachelor Charles (Hugh Grant) declares his love and devotion to sweetheart Carrie (Andie MacDowell) by reversing the expected wording and coming up with the most stereotype-subverting marriage proposal in the history of romantic comedy: "Do you think... you might agree not to marry me? Do you?" Her answer, befitting a bride (-not-to-be), comes promptly: "I do."