+the scene

Journalism + Rom-Com = Box Office Gold?

Written by Raffy Ermac. Published: November 20 2013

 

Is it just me, or are there a disproportionate amount of romantic comedies where the protagonist is a doting, successful, but lonely journalist in the big city and too busy for love? Surely I’m not the only aspiring reporter who looks to these movies as a means to justify the fact that I am also usually too busy with my work to find true love… #sigh

 

Rom-coms have had journalists at the forefront for as long as movies have been around (His Girl Friday, anyone?), and while it is no new phenomenon, it is definitely heartwarming and entertaining, and only just slightly concerning to see a reporter who is so socially awkward and weird but yet still manages to find that special someone (and be a successful professional to boot).

 

So, what is it about pros in the news biz that makes for a great, heart-wrenchingly accurate rom-com?! Well, let me speak a little from personal experience…

 

Reason #1: “I’m focusing on my career at the moment…”

With a constant stream of looming deadlines, constant interviews, and appeasing editors and readers, it’s a wonder some of us even have time to sit down for lunch let alone find a relationship. This dilemma is perfect fodder for Hollywood script writers to make a movie out of, and although sometimes at the dismay of reporters, there’s no denying we’ve all felt too busy for love and relationships.

Perfect movie examples: Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed and Katherine Heigel in The Ugly Truth.

 

Reason #2: Work can make you jaded…

Reporters cover vast and different topics, and some of them can make even the most doe-eyed, optimistic writers wary, bored, and cynical. Skeptical reporter looking for someone lovely and happy to balance out their ways? I smell box office success.

Perfect movie examples: James Marsden and Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses and Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

 

Reason #3: “I love working too much…”

Sort of related to Reason #1, a lot of journalists (like me) love their jobs too much to ever think of focusing time on another person, and if that isn’t an uber-entertaining trainwreck waiting to happen (and watch on the big screen), I don’t know what is.

Perfect movie examples: Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada.

 

Reason #4: We fall… and fall HARD

If and when we decide to take some of our valuable time away from AP style and newsprint and focus some of it on relationships with that special someone, we always seem to invest all of our heart and energy into it. Usually, it either turns out really well or completely blows up in our faces. We can’t help it! It’s in our nature as writers and reporters, to want to put all we have into something; but it also is sure as hell the perfect recipe for a romantic comedy.

Perfect movie examples: When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, both starring journalism student-turned-actress Meg Ryan.

 

I don’t know about you guys, but now, all I really want to do is curl up on my couch with my sweatpants and local newspaper in tow and have a rom-com-athon…all in the name of journalists looking for love!

 

 

(Photo via WENN)

 

 

- Raffy Ermac, YH Staff