My sister and I share a frequently-celebrated ritual of “Sister Movie Time,” a movie night hangout session often filled with the “chick flicks” of our youth. “Of our youth” is the key here. We discovered these films years ago, mostly when we were in middle school or early high school, and have been watching them on loop ever since.
Naturally, given our ages at the time of film discovery, our parents have often been subjected to repeat screenings of these flicks, too. We’ve never been a “tv in every room” type of family, so regardless of which parent we were with, my sister and I often monopolized the house’s single screen, constantly feeding the VHS player (and, later, the DVD player) with our romantic comedy marathons.
He’s shared his top ten flicks of all time… and now, my dad would like to share a list of the romantic comedies he learned to love through endless repeat screenings with his daughters.
- Legally Blonde (2001)
My dad and sister both like to joke that I’m going to become a lawyer, and I think this long-running gag stems partially from our shared love of Legally Blonde. - Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
“Look at you! You have a BABY! In a BAR!” - The Wedding Planner (2001)
Dad’s favorite character is Massimo. Somehow, he ends up quoting Massimo all the time. “She loves you, Steve!” - Blue Crush (2002)
We saw this one at the drive-in, in the small town in Kentucky where my sister and I spent a few of our middle school years. We have many fond memories of the drive-in but for some reason the screening of Blue Crush was particularly memorable. I can still picture it playing on the screen, at the exact angle from which we were parked! We still watch this flick at least once a year. - Crossroads (2002)
I believe I’ve told this story on the blog before, but my sister and I tricked my dad into seeing this movie. He knew it starred Britney Spears and as such was reluctant to take us to see it. We conned him into it by promising that there wouldn’t be any singing. And then the film opened with her singing, which prompted plenty of laughter from my sister and I in the theater. Dad has warmed up to the movie over the years thanks to our repeat viewings. Who doesn’t love a cheesy road trip flick? - Father of the Bride (1991)
This is probably the most obvious pick on the list — a film about a dad who is reluctant to let go of his little girl when she announces that she’s getting married. He still sees her as a kid, not wanting to accept that she’s all grown up. It has probably evoked a tear or two from dad over the years, since he has two daughters of his own. - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Dad is not a fan of Kate Hudson or Matthew McConaughey in the least, but he has come to enjoy this film that they made together, reluctantly admitting that it’s a top-notch rom-com. - Josie & the Pussycats (2001)
Brilliant satirical comedy and a catchy-as-hell soundtrack. Who doesn’t love this film? - Just Friends (2005)
Required viewing in our household every Christmas season, and the most recent film on the list. - Someone Like You (2001)
I didn’t realize until making this list that dad would place this film among his favorite “chick flicks,” but I can’t blame him — it’s one of my favorites, too. - You’ve Got Mail (1998)
When he’s not dreaming of my non-existent law school aspirations, dad pictures my future much like that of Kathleen Kelly, owning a little book shop. I guess that’s what happens when your daughter loves very few things as much as she loves both books and rom-coms.
The Motion Pictures 