The rom-com genre has been around since the beginning of cinema. Classic films, such as It Happened One Night and The Philadelphia Story are perfect examples of the longevity that this particular genre has. The story is basic: two people meet and fall in love, then something happens that threatens their relationship. Ultimately, everything works out, though there are always the odd exceptions.
The 90s were a decade where the genre exploded. Romantic queens like Meg Ryan shone in films like Pretty Woman, While You Were Sleeping and Sleepless in Seattle. However, there are also a lot of films that weren't as successful and that still deserve to be appreciated, like Fools Rush In. Their charm and originality definitely put them at the same level of those classic rom-coms audiences know and love.
Fools Rush In (1997)
Fools Rush In stars Salma Hayek, fresh from her breakthrough role in Robert Rodriguez' Desperado. It tells the story of Alex Whitman and Isabel Fuentes, two strangers who meet at a bar and have a one-night-stand that ends in an accidental pregnancy.
The two get married and their clash of cultures provides a lot of the film's shenanigans. And while its depictions of racial issues might seem very dated by today's standards, Perry and Hayek's game performances and chemistry, and an Elvis-heavy soundtrack make this a very entertaining, albeit formulaic rom-com.
The Opposite Of Sex (1998)
Another Friends star making the jump to the big screen is Christina Ricci, the film tells the story of pregnant teenager Dedee Truitt, whose unexpected arrival at her gay older brother's house causes problems for him and his much younger partner.
Wonderfully acerbic, the film is as sharp as it is subversive, and features an interesting approach to sexual fluidity. Both Ricci and Kudrow received acclaim for their performances, with the former earning a Golden Globe nomination.
Cry-Baby (1990)
A cult classic from Johnny Depp. Good girl Allison, a "square" in Waters' lingo, falls for rebellious teenager "Cry-Baby" Walker, a "drape", played by Depp. After being sent to juvie, Cry-Baby will do everything to get Allison back.
The film is a 1950s gleeful chaos, a quintessential example of the brand of films for which Waters is so beloved. And Depp's turn as a greaser rebel makes it clear why he was destined for fame all along.
Grumpy Old Men (1993)
Starring three screen legends, Grumpy Old Men features Walter Matthau as two long-time quarreling next door neighbors, whose rivalry escalates when they're both attracted to new arrival Ariel.
While the film is nowhere near as good as previous Lemmon-Matthau collaborations, their chemistry remains unmatched and the sheer delight of seeing them together opposite Ann-Margret is enough to justify the film's existence. A harmless holiday movie, the laughs are plenty, guaranteeing a good time for anyone looking to waste 104 minutes.
The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
A simple yet effective rom-com, Barbra Streisand stars in this classic ugly-duckling story, which she also directed. She plays Rose, a sheltered and romantic professor of English literature, who enters an arrangement to have a strictly platonic relationship with uptight and shy Math teacher Gregory, played by Jeff Bridges.
Streisand and Bridges have good chemistry, but if there's a real reason to see the film, it's the presence of screen legend Lauren Bacall. Playing Rose's mother, Bacall is wonderfully sardonic, never once losing an ounce of class. The film was called a vanity project, and it honestly is. But Bacall is so impressive, and Streisand and Bridges so charming, that the end result is worth the time.
Can't Hardly Wait (1998)
As the obligatory teen movie entry, Can't Hardly Wait features a who's who of teen idols of the 90s. Taking place during a party on graduation night, it tells different, sometimes interconnected stories, all taking place during the span of the night.
The film fully embraces the genre's tropes, from the near-perfect impossible to get girl, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt, to the dumb jock who finds himself the target of an ill-planned vendetta. It might not be the best the genre has to offer, but it is endearing and entertaining enough to make it a memorable entry in the teen rom-com collection.
Only You (1994)
Before he became the MCU's Tony Stark, Marisa Tomei became a household name after winning the ing Actress Oscar that same year, for her performance in the underrated comedy My Cousin Vinny.
Tomei and Downey Jr. ed forces in this 1994 film about a woman who, after playing with a spirit board as a child, becomes convinced that her soulmate is a man by the name of Damon Bradley. As an adult, and ten days before her wedding, she finds a man named Damon Bradley, and follows him to Italy, where destiny awaits for her. The plot is ittedly nonsensical, but Tomei and Downey Jr. manage to sell it, making in a rather enjoyable film.
Honeymoon In Vegas (1992)
Add James Caan and Sarah Jessica Parker to this Nicolas Cage movie and the result is one of the silliest and most entertaining rom-coms of the 90s.
Cage plays Jack, a PI who heads to Vegas to marry his girlfriend, Betsy (Parker). Pro gambler Tommy (Caan) notices Betsy, who reminds him of his late wife Donna. He rigs the poker game and wins $65,000 from Jack, offering to forgive the debt in exchange for a weekend with Betsy. The premise is ittedly farfetched, but a trio of screwball performances from its well-matches leads, make it a highly pleasing, albeit very traditional comedy.
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
In this 1996 remake of the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife, Denzel Washington plays Dudley, a good-hearted angel sent to the Earth to help Rev. Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) save both his church and his relationship with his wife (Whitney Houston).
The film has everything anyone could want from a holiday movie: laughter, tears, an angel, and a wholesome, family-first message. Washington relishes the opportunity to play a lighter character, and the soundtrack is full of gospel songs featuring Whitney Houston. This film really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Frankie And Johnny (1991)
Reuniting Garry Marshall. A more dramatic take on the genre, it tells the story of Johnny, a man recently released from prison, who finds a job as a cook and falls in love with Frankie, an emotionally-scarred waitress.
Al Pacino and Pfeiffer, controversial casting choices at the time, play the roles with clear empathy and tenderness. And while the film certainly sugarcoats the story from its darker source-material, it's still a very touching and sharp example of the romantic comedy, and a wonderful showcase for Pfeiffer's great acting talents.
