So many romantic comedies are released on or around Valentine’s Day because no other film genre (or holiday) focuses so absolutely on what romantic love might be. And yet to examine the genre’s tropes closely is to recognize their silliness, or their endorsement of behavior that verges on stalking. (Thinking about showing up at your crush’s door with oversized cue cards? Don’t.) In this quiz, see if you can identify the romantic-comedy clichés, troubling and otherwise. Pucker up!
1/8
Troubling Behavior Seen as Romantic
Select the matching pairs.
2/8
What Do All These Characters Have in Common?
Select the correct answer.
The protagonist just* had an epiphany: They really are in love. Obstacles often include bad weather, planes about to board and weddings to be stopped.
* Typically a few minutes before the credits roll.
3/8
Match the Hair to the Meg
Select the matching pairs.
4/8
What Do All These Characters Have in Common?
All of the above!
Brides played by Jennifer Lopez, clockwise from top left:“Marry Me” (2022); “Shotgun Wedding” (2022); “The Wedding Planner” (2001); “Monster-in-Law” (2005).
5/8
Good Hugh vs. Bad Hugh
Select all squares with Hugh Grant as a toxic love interest.
Hugh Grant plays a stereotypically deceiving womanizer in “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001) — not to be confused with his stereotypically well-intentioned nice-guy character in “Notting Hill” (1999).
6/8
Makeovers as Key to Success
Select the matching pairs.
7/8
What Do All These Characters Have in Common?
Select the correct answer.
Movies in which a seduction scheme inevitably turns into a genuine love connection include: “She’s All That” (1999); “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999); “Deliver Us From Eva” (2003); “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003); “Cruel Intentions” (1999).
8/8
The Other Guys
Select the matching pairs.
Source: Movies - nytimes.com
