1. Romantic Comedy AKA: Chick Flick, Romance, Screwball Comedy, & Melodrama

2. Setting often Urban setting often time and place don’t matter -- setting is secondary to the genre’s theme

3. Characters Romantic heroine and hero -- often dislike one another initially friends & family who support the heroine and hero -- confidantes other characters who create problems for the couple -- e.g. other woman, parents, etc. typical male: strong, silent, not affected by emotions typical female: romantic, affected by emotions, defined by romance

4. Plot some challenge to the relationship -- mixed identity, confusion, social class, initial hatred… characters bump into one another by accident; continually thrown together by fate in humorous ways “series of improbable adventures” characters evolve/change

5. Plot (Cont.) declaration of love discover “true love” after the initial conflicts happy ending: love overcomes all odds

6. Other Elements light-hearted, humorous, amusing, & optimistic mood use of sound, music, and rapid, witty dialogue exaggerated characters, language, situations -- larger-than- life

7. Value Assumptions family/love are important and desirable institutions being single is not fulfilling there is someone for everyone true love exists LOVE OVERCOMES ALL

8. Audience favorite actors in the genre -- Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts romantic comedies often reflect the humor and norms of the time however -- audiences love them because they are timeless