I love a good rom-com . At their best, they serve as a pleasant commentary on the intricacies of love and relationships.
But at their worst, they do little more than reinforce negative gender roles and stereotypes.
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That’s why I’ve set out to compile a list of 10+ rom-coms that would never be able to get made today .
*Chasing Amy*
Chasing Amy perpetuates the false idea that sexuality is a choice, opposed to something we’re born with.
The idea that any gay woman can be converted so long as the right man comes around is insulting and ignorant.
*10 Things I Hate About You*
10 Things I Hate About You is a modern retelling of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” — which is probably why some of the dialogue feels so archaic.
Referring to women as “wild beasts” doesn’t really float well nowadays, either.
*Bride Wars*
Nothing can come between two best friends — except their wedding, of course.
The idea that all women are little more than ‘frienemies’ is both misogynistic and cruel. It also seems to suggest that marriage is and should be the ultimate goal for any woman.
*I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry*
Keep in mind that at the time this movie was released, it was considered to be a step in the right direction as far as normalizing male homosexuality in mainstream media.
We’ve clearly come a long way since then; no studio would touch this film today with a ten-foot-pole.
*When Harry Met Sally*
I love this movie, I really do. But some of the themes and moments can be especially hard to swallow.
When Harry Met Sally denigrates the Women’s Movement by characterizing powerful, independent women, as ‘high maintenance.’
*My Best Friend’s Wedding*
This is yet another example of a movie whose only purpose seems to be a desire to pit women against one another.
My Best Friend’s Wedding is ” Othello ” in high-heels, and Julia Roberts is the villainous Iago.
*Clueless*
Let’s start with the fact that Cher is involved in an incestuous relationship with her own brother.
There’s also the whole portrayal of women as little more than conniving airheads and whiny valley girls with tired and predictable catchphrases.
*Grease*
Have you ever listened to the lyrics in some of the songs from Grease ?
“Tell me more, tell me more — did she put up a fight?”
Is “Summer Nights” seriously condoning non-consensual sex? It would certainly appear that way.
*Breakfast At Tiffany’s*
This film is regaled as a classic piece of cinema, yet many tend to overlook the fact that it’s racist to the core.
Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of Japanese neighbor, Mr. Yunioshi, is one of the most offensive things I’ve ever seen.
*Shallow Hal*
Hal is what happens when toxic masculinity combines with Peter Pan syndrome.
This film is horrendously offensive to those struggling with weight issues. It perpetuates false ideas of female body image and only serves to further reinforce negative stereotypes
*Knocked Up*
Katherine Heigl has spoken up over the years about how she feels Knocked Up is inherently sexist.
According to comments made via Decider, Heigl said “It paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys.”
*Never Been Kissed*
In the movie, journalist Josie Geller is pretending to be a high school student. Time passes and she enters into an adulterous relationship with her own teacher.
Yes, Josie wasn’t actually underage — but her teacher Mr. Coulson didn’t know that. Which is pretty dark, when you stop to think about it.
*Pretty Woman*
This movie romanticizes sex workers, conveys the false notion that women need to be saved, and also seems to have some pretty harsh opinions regarding women with blonde hair.
It’s pure sexist drivel. Also, is it just me or is Richard Gere a total knob?
*The Breakfast Club*
John Bender is a bad person who should be scrubbed from the anals of history.
He openly berates Claire, engages in a furious form of slut-shaming, and even sexually assaults her underneath the desk. This aggressive and overtly sexist behavior simply wouldn’t fly nowadays.
*The Ugly Truth*
The Ugly Truth is a movie that should be taken behind the barn and put out of its misery.
The underlying message of Gerard Butler’s repulsively chauvinistic charm is that a woman can get any man she wants, so long as she is willing to pretend to be something she is not.
