Representation of women and men in romantic comedies

By Hamza Farah

Background of romantic comedies Romantic comedies are known to be of a hybrid genre which just means 2 different genres put together. However, in film the first romantic comedy to be released is called girl shy in 1924 which was an American silent film.Romantic comedies are more associated for female audiences and informally referred to Romcoms for short or ‘chick flicks’. Romantic comedies are known for having a female lead role and it’s the type of film which they are guaranteed a main role (lead role). They are the main protagonist.Romcoms usually end with a happily ever after with the two main characters getting married or having children or becoming reunited an example of this the bounty hunter, the plot revolves around a divorce couple who resolve their issues and get together again.

Bridget Jones’s Diary Bridget jones is the lead role in movie.

She is a singleton who has been trying to fall but keeps failing and writing her days events in the notorious diary.

Although is an American she plays an English middle class woman who works in publishing

Bridget's innocent lust to be loved and cared for by another person (man) is a common attribute in woman in most romantic comedies.

Bridget is independent confident young woman but lacks the trust that she can find a man for her and yearns to be accepted by men.

The representation of woman in Bridget jones diary is that young woman need to have the acceptance and this has become the norm of most contemporary romantic comedies.

The representation of women in this movie that although they are all financially stable and working they lack men which always the final piece of their jigsaw.

The backup plan This is Zoë a young beautiful woman who around her late 30s

Zoe although still young has given up on looking for life and has decided to children immediately via artificial insemination

Zoe owns a pet shop and lives on her just like Bridget Jones she finding it hard to find love which is the norm for all contemporary romantic comedies.

Zoe and her future lover come from 2 different lifestyles and they meet each other weirdly which called the awkward situation

The representation of woman in this film is that woman our powerful as she a child without a man but her luck is in her favour as she gets married and has 3 children.

Another representation is that woman make their own choices and usually strong minded just Bridget jones she is financially stable all she lacks is male figure in her life.

Notting hill This is Hugh grant pretending to be an owner of a book shop called William Thacker.

William is a divorced man living in a house with his welsh friend

Thacker encounter Julia Roberts who is a global superstar actress who is England for the premiere of her new film and just like the plot for most contemporary romantic comedies the meet in the awkward situation which is where their love story begins.

Anna and Will come from two very Lifestyles whilst one is a successful actress the other is the book store in Notting hill .

One representation of men is that they usually come from bad relationships and live ordinary lives but unlike woman aren't as desperate to find love.

Another representation is men that are usually laid back and more relax and stable but once again the woman is financially stable just like Bridget jones and Jlo.

Silver linings play bookThis film revolves around 2 psychologically affected people the man pat is suffering from bipolar and wants to get with his ex partner gain who cheated on him another man

The male representation in this film is men still have do express they way feel and just don’t bottle it. Although pat’ wife cheated on him he still wanted her back indicating men do love the same amount as woman.

pat is in his 30s and is still living with parents at home and just like all the other contemporary he met tiffany at his friends his house

The representation of two mentally ill people fall in love is that anything can happen and that love cane be experienced by everyone.

Another male representation in this film is that men take of they’re attire and they always work out.