It was recently announced that a sequel to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was in the works, and honestly? It makes a lot of sense. The Devil Wears Prada 2 was the canary in the coal mine to prove that millennial nostalgia will always prevail, and it isn’t remotely surprising to me that a line of classic romcoms beloved from our youth will be forming an orderly line to join the romcomnaissance.
That being said, there are some movies out there so perfect, the romances so of a time, and so many relationships that would be way too fragile to have a happily ever after, that I think we should leave them firmly in the past where they belong – for us to watch at Christmas and populate our Letterboxd Top 4. So which romcoms are so perfect that a sequel would surely ruin them? Here are my top picks…
© CBS via Getty ImagesClueless (1995)
Although people have tried to tear it apart over the years for being creepy given that they are former step-siblings, Cher’s revelation (“Oh my God, I love Josh!”) and the ensuing romance with Josh were perfect, especially as it only took up a few minutes of what is ultimately an iconic and ‘of its time’ high school comedy. Should we have a sequel, Cher would surely be too old for her usual shenanigans, and I don’t really know how plot-heavy Josh’s law career would be.
© Alamy Stock PhotoPretty Woman (1990)
“So what happens after he climbs up the tower and rescues her?”
“She rescues him right back.”
And that right there is where we gently close the laptop on this fairytale story of a sex worker hired by a businessman for the pair to ultimately fall in love. Without even broaching how problematic this premise is, let’s just look at the fact that while Vivian was about to return to school in Seattle and Edward was about to embark on a shipbuilding empire, these two wouldn’t have stood the test of time. Honestly, I don’t think they would have lasted the length of ‘getting down from the fire escape’.
© Sygma via Getty ImagesNotting Hill (1999)
While I do think that Anna Scott and William Thacker’s relationship has longevity, and it would be nice to return to William’s ragtag bunch of very posh friends and see what they’re up to nowadays, the movie already showed the future of their relationship perfectly as they learned to balance Anna’s megafame with William’s quiet Notting Hill lifestyle. The future was always bright for these two, but I don’t think I need to see it played out in a whole new movie. Now a spin-off about Spike… that could be interesting.
© Love ActuallyLove Actually (2003)
Aside from Emma Thompson and Laura Linney’s heartbreaking storylines, the relationships in Love Actually concluded perfectly, all culminating again with a visit to the airport — and as much as we’d love to check in on the characters, Love Actually is the perfect snapshot of these characters, and I don’t think we need an update. In fact, I think Red Nose Day Actually in 2017 showed us that we were always best off leaving the characters exactly where they are.
© Alamy Stock PhotoThe Holiday (2006)
Another beautiful ending for two romances that would never have lasted. Actually, I have several questions about the final scene where they are all hanging out together over Christmas in Jude Law’s Cotswolds abode. Did Iris move to LA to be with Miles? She did seem much happier there, but then what became of her idyllic little cottage? Sold? An Airbnb? Either way, heartbreaking.
And what about Graham? He wouldn’t be able to move to LA with his two youngsters and publishing company, and yet Amanda has a thriving career as a movie trailer producer. It’s why they pay her the big bucks! Perhaps Iris and Miles rode off into the sunset happily ever after, but I don’t want an update detailing Amanda and Graham’s messy transatlantic divorce, thank you.
© SkyCrazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
This film had the most perfect bringing together of characters, all tied in a perfect plot twist bow, and now that we know everyone and their relationships to one another, a sequel couldn’t possibly recapture the original’s delightful surprises, so why try? Plus, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have costarred in plenty of other projects, so we can go and enjoy their chemistry elsewhere!
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