Rom coms where the leads have chemistry

[noblegiraffe]

It being the summer holidays, I am currently in the market for lightweight frothy crap. I've been watching rom coms on Netflix basically at random, whatever it suggests of extremely varied quality. But the main characters just look like they are acting a role.

One of my most recent watches had Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat/Ali G) as the romantic lead (I shit you not), with Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) supposedly falling for him. All the romance of a dental filling, it couldn't have been less convincing.

I swear back in the day rom com leads didn't merely look like colleagues. Has anyone seen any good ones lately where they actually have chemistry?

Off Campus on Amazon Prime.

Its a tv series, 6 episodes. Highly recommend.

Voicemails For Isabelle- Netflix

Nobody wants this. It’s a Netflix series rather than a film but definite chemistry between the two leads.

As an aside, I might watch “Ladies First” OP. Hadn’t heard of it so thanks for the heads up!

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/13/ladies-first-sacha-baron-cohen-netflix-sexism

Seconded!

There is a reasonable amount of cheesiness to this, and some American syrupy-ness though, so possibly not to everyone’s taste.

Office romance on Netflix

I was stuck in bed with flu for a couple days recently and didn't have the energy to do more than watch fluff/froth

The Idea of You
The Hating Game
Juliette Naked (actually a very good movie, in addition)
The Office (American) funny and a great, slow developing romance

Grosse Pointe Blank - John Cusack & Minnie Driver are the most believably hot, natural chemistry couple. Love that film!

Also John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale in Serendipity. Despite appearances, I don’t have a mad John Cusack crush and I’m not a big fan of hers either, but again it’s a film that really has you rooting for them.

And Kate Hudson/Matthew McConnaughey in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Film is patchy at best, but there’s no denying you want them to make it. Plus you get to see the reveal of The Dress every time, which is never not stunning ❤️

Anyone But You

Ooh, and The Family Stone! I can only watch this at Christmas with DD, what with it being the undisputed Queen of all Christmas movies and our annual little ritual, but if you’re after funny, schmaltzy, touching and romantic it has not one but 6 simultaneous love stories unfolding, with every couple perfectly cast.

Ah I just watched this one, it was definitely one of the better ones but I kept being distracted by the male lead being the boy from Jurassic World! And there is no way he was into Magic the Gathering.

When Harry Met Sally

Oh god no, it was rightly panned, it may have been better released 25 years ago! Although Rosamund Pike is very good in it at and the way the female costumes project masculinity without being a straight suit and tie swap was very clever. But honestly, she gets together with Sacha Baron Cohen and despite it being a rom-com I did not see it coming at all because there was nothing between them.

its dreadful really not worth the time......

We watched "Eternity" the other night and enjoyed it. Old couple die and get to the afterlife, she finds her first husband has been waiting for her for 60 years. Love triangle ensues.

Elizabeth Olsen and a couple of blokes I'd never heard of.

Ah yes, I’ve seen those and they are great! I think I’ve watched all the old ones, back when they used to get cinema releases.

Have you seen Long Shot? I really liked that. Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron. Was cute.

@EnjoythemoneyJane I used to love Serendipity when I was young. But I watched it again when older and felt really sorry for his girlfriend - abandoned at her wedding so he could chase after a woman who didn't even give him her phone number the first time around! I felt for the innocent parties caught in the crosshairs of their 'story'.
Same with Dirty Dancing - was really rooting for Baby and Johnny, but now I think Baby's dad had a point and I wouldn't want my teenage dd shagging a loser dancer in his mid 20s and risking her whole bright future!
Age has killed a lot of romance films for me!

OP, I'm going to recommend Bridges of Madison County. I think there's real chemistry there (or amazing acting)!

An oldie but a goodie. Robert Downey jnr and Marisa Tomei in Only You. No brain needed but lovely fluffy hokum and some nice scenery

Notting Hill
Pretty Woman (ignoring the dodgy prostitute aspect)
10 Things I Hate About You
Spooks (Harry & Ruth)

One Fine Day - George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer - they clearly enjoyed each others company
Mr and Mrs Smith - you can see the relationship starting
Fabulous Baker Boys - again clearly having a blast on set
Doc Holliday - again, clear enjoyment on set

You’ve reminded me - George Clooney & Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight.

Saw it years and years ago and just remember really enjoying it and thinking they had great chemistry. I need to watch it again though to check myself - I’m often disappointed watching films I loved at the time, because not all that many age well!

And Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling in Crazy Stupid Love. Loads of super dodgy plot lines in that one that wouldn’t pass the sniff test today, but on balance still a film I really enjoy.

”A lot like love” from 00s with Amanda Peet and Ashton Kutcher. Never seemed to make it big but I love a re-watch of this one.

@Piglet89yes! Love this programme and they definitely have a lot of chemistry. My teen crush on Adam Brody came back in full swing!!!