The Magic of Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron
Everyone loves a good romantic-comedy. At the most basic level, they’re endearing and optimistic, and love always wins. The best kind, though, leave you with an undeniable belief that maybe love can be the victor in your own story, too.
Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron films are, in my opinion, the pinnacle of romantic-comedies. Everyone who sets out to make a romantic-comedy should strive to achieve, at the very least, a shred of what they have done for the genre.
Something’s Gotta Give (2003) is perfect for when you want to laugh and cry at the same time. Starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson as the main “will they, won’t they” trope, you can’t really ask for more than that, can you? If that’s not good enough for you though, the movie also stars Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, and Frances McDormand. It’s truly a star-studded cast. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The montage scene of Diane Keaton’s character, Erica Barry, sobbing and laughing as she writes her play is something only Meyers could write and Keaton could execute perfectly.
Of course, without fail, Something’s Gotta Give has the classic Nancy Meyers look. An array of white sweaters, beautiful kitchens, and plenty of wide shots that offer up stunning views of a seemingly universal situation.
Something's Gotta Give (2003) | IMDb
The film follows the relationship, or lack thereof, of playwright Erica Barry and confirmed bachelor Harry Sandborn. Without giving too much away, like any great story, there are ups and downs, side plots and characters, and obstacles that keep the audience hooked on the movie from the start. It checks all the necessary boxes. But what makes Something’s Gotta Give special isn’t its ability to deliver like any other great movie; it is its self-awareness, affection, and ability to laugh at itself that is so unique. The movie is honest, providing warmth and comfort through that honesty. It takes love seriously, but it also shows that even something as serious as love can be humorous and slightly trivial at times, whether the outcome is good or bad. It also teaches a very powerful lesson about turning heartbreak into inspiration and fuel for our own personal aspirations.
Something’s Gotta Give is the perfect rom-com because it is singular. It achieves what all rom-coms set out to do and more. The warmth and love radiate throughout every scene. There’s laughter when you would only expect tears, and love when you expect indifference. Like no one else, Nancy Meyers is able to capture lightning in a bottle and bring two of the very best actors together to capture it with her.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)is also exceptional. The film takes place in New York City in the fall through the spring, showcasing the city’s year-round beauty. It takes a more modern spin on The Shop Around the Corner from 1940, showing how the best love stories are timeless.
Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, you couldn’t get a more comfortable and charming pairing if you tried. You’ve Got Mail is special because it goes through the obstacles the characters face with an immense amount of care and compassion. The film is cheeky and funny, but most of all, it’s thoughtful and tender.
You've Got Mail (1998) | IMDb
The cinematography and production design are in perfect harmony with the story. You can feel the atmosphere of every room. The contrast between Kathleen Kelly’s family-owned small bookstore and Joe Fox’s family-owned corporation is stark. One is warm and inviting and the other is cold and soulless. Nora Ephron knows how to create the coziest scenes like no one else, and this movie proves she knows that the contrast only makes them cozier. You’ve Got Mail is exactly what you need if you're looking for something to make you believe that love is worth the fight.
In Something’s Gotta Give and You’ve Got Mail, Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron encapsulate the power of unyielding love through honesty, endearing characters, and overall warmth. These are two of the best rom-coms to restore one’s hope in love. They show their audience that love can be a guiding light and that it is actually quite simple when you get to the core of it, rather than something that’s overly complicated. Most of all, they prove that true love endures.
Strike Out,
Francesca Rico
Miami
Francesca Rico is a History student at Florida International University. When she is not writing, she enjoys watching movies and finding new cookie recipes to bake for friends and family. She also self-publishes on her Substack, under the handle @chicx5.
