Romantic comedies from the early 2000s captured the charm, whimsy, and complexity of love in ways that continue to resonate today. These films offered a delightful mix of heartfelt stories and humorous twists, setting the stage for a new era of romcoms. From the playful antics of Whatever It Takes to the timeless romance in The Notebook, these movies not only entertained but also explored the many facets of relationships and personal growth. Here's a look back at some of the standout romcoms that defined the decade and still hold a special place in our hearts.
Whatever It Takes (2000)
Starred by Shane West and James Franco, this romcom movie is contemporary take on the Cyrano de Bergerac story, where geeky high schooler Ryan Woodman has a crush on the popular Ashley Grant but lacks the courage to confess his feelings. Ashley's cousin, football player Chris Campbell, agrees to help Ryan win Ashley's heart if Ryan assists him in wooing his own platonic next-door neighbor, Maggie Carter, in time for the senior prom, which is themed around the ill-fated Titanic.
Bridget Jones Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is a typical woman dealing with issues related to her age, weight, job, single life, and personal imperfections. For her New Year's resolution, she decides to take control of her life by keeping a diary where she will be completely honest. The real excitement begins when her charismatic but questionable boss becomes interested in her.
Kate & Leopold (2001)
Starred by Hugh Jackman as Leopold, this movie revolves around Leopold who is an English and broken baron living in New York in the end of the nineteenth century. He's supposed to get married with a rich woman to recover his family from ruin. Due to a time incident, Leopold travels to the future and meets Kate, a successful businesswoman in New York. During Leopold's time in processing and adjusting to his surroundings in 2001, they fall in love with each other.
Maid in Manhattan (2002)
In this movie, Jennifer Lopez who plays the main character Marisa Ventura portrays a single mother who lives in the Bronx and works as a maid in a first-class Manhattan hotel. By a twist of fate, Marisa who conceals her identity meets Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes) who happens to be a handsome heir to a political dynasty. When Marisa's true identity is unveiled, the two realize that they are worlds apart.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
This movie tells the story of Benjamin Barry, an advertising executive, is competing with two female colleagues for a major diamond merchant's campaign. He makes a wager with them: if he can make a woman of their choosing fall in love with him within 10 days, he will secure the account. At the same time, there comes Andie Anderson, who is working on an article titled "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" as part of a bet with her boss to be allowed to tackle more significant stories. With each side having its own hidden agenda, will either achieve their goal?
Love Actually (2003)
The film explores the diverse experiences of love: characters fall in and out of it, find themselves with compatible or incompatible partners, and navigate everything from affairs to periods of mourning. It captures the essence of real life where love is a constant presence, whether it's romantic or platonic. Flirting is a recurring motif, reflecting the universal pursuit of love across different ages and social strata. Filmed predominantly in London during Christmas, the movie wraps up on a hopeful note with all the characters coming together at Heathrow airport.
Chasing Liberty (2004)
Anna Foster, the President's daughter, is used to living under heavy protection. At eighteen, she convinces her dad to let only two agents guard her while she goes to a concert in Prague. When he goes back on his word, Anna runs away with Ben Calder, a photographer she meets outside the concert. They head to the Love Parade in Berlin, both hiding their true identities-Anna from her security and Ben, who is secretly assigned to keep an eye on her. As they travel across Europe, Anna and Ben unexpectedly fall in love.
50 First Dates (2004)
Henry Roth leads a relaxed life in Hawaii, surrounded by a series of casual relationships with no strings attached. His world shifts dramatically when he meets Lucy Whitmore, and they quickly begin to form a deep, meaningful bond. The next day, however, Henry is bewildered when Lucy doesn't remember him. He discovers that Lucy has short-term memory loss, meaning she forgets each day as it passes. Despite this challenge, Henry is determined not to give up. He resolves to win her heart anew each day, committed to making her fall in love with him over and over again.
The Notebook (2004)
The movie tells the touching story of an elderly man reading to a woman in a nursing home. The story he shares is about two young lovers, Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun, who first meet at a carnival and fall deeply in love. However, their romance faces a major obstacle when Allie's parents, disapproving of Noah's modest background, move her away. Despite waiting for Noah's letters for years, Allie eventually becomes engaged to a charming soldier named Lon. Yet, her feelings for Noah never fade. When she visits Noah's beautifully restored home-one he had prepared just for her-old emotions resurface. Faced with the choice between her fiancé and her first love, Allie must decide where her heart truly belongs.
(DIP/alm)