Romantic Comedy Films to Rent About Fate
Serendipity Lends a Hand in these Good Romantic DVDs to Rent
Mar 14, 2009
The course of true love never did run smooth – but it also takes some hilarious turns in the following films to rent for romantic comedy movie fans that show their characters that romance isn’t always where you thought it would be.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Sandra Bullock shines as Lucy, a lonely Chicago fare collector, who's too shy to talk to Peter (Peter Gallagher) a handsome commuter who passes her booth every day. But when Lucy sees Peter pushed into the path of a train, she leaps onto the tracks and saves his life – only to see him slip into a coma. At the hospital, a case of mistaken identity makes Peter’s estranged parents think Lucy is Peter’s fiancé, causing Lucy to be “adopted” into their family.
Initially too embarrassed to tell the truth, Lucy soon falls in love with Peter’s family, who offer her the companionship she’s been without since her father died. Problems arise, however, when Lucy falls for Peter’s brother Jack (Bill Pullman) who’s pretty sure she’s not Peter’s “type”. And then Peter wakes up…
Bullock and Pullman’s chemistry fuel this romantic comedy DVD, which also boasts strong performances by Peter Boyle and Jack Warden. Even Gallagher has some funny moments (which is amazing considering he spends most of the film in a coma). Movie theme lovers will also enjoy Randy Edelman’s poignant score, which captures Lucy’s melancholy mood perfectly. One of the most charming romantic comedy movies to rent for audiences who like their romantic films full of tears and laughs.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Sleepless in Seattle stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan team up again in this remake of the 1940 romantic comedy The Shop Around the Corner starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. The premise is the same: two anonymous pen pals fall in love, unaware that they already know each other in real life – and can’t stand one another.
This time, however, the story is updated by having Hanks and Ryan meet in an online chat room and exchange emails with each other. Ryan also has a new reason to dislike Hanks – she’s the owner of an independent bookstore that Hanks’ mega bookstore chain is about to put out of business. Hanks and Ryan’s chemistry is strong, and the romantic comedy film's plot also gives an effective commentary on the damage caused by big business.
It Could Happen to You (1994)
Nicholas Cage plays Charlie Lang, a good-hearted New York cop trapped in a loveless marriage with his greedy wife Muriel (Rosie Perez). But when Charlie finds he can’t leave a tip for Yvonne (Bridget Fonda), a sweet but bankrupt waitress, he impulsively promises her half the winnings of the lottery ticket he bought. Five hours later, Charlie learns he’s won four million dollars. Time to back out of the deal, right?
Well, maybe not. Turns out Charlie cares very little about money, but very much about keeping his promises. Too bad Muriel doesn’t feel the same way. As the characters adjust to their new lives, Muriel schemes to steal all the winnings for herself, while Charlie and Yvonne find themselves falling in love.
According to a July 29, 1994 Entertainment Weekly.com article by Lois Alter Mark, It Could Happen to You was inspired by the true story of New York policeman Robert Cunningham, who split his six million dollar Lotto prize with waitress Phyllis Penzo after she helped him pick the winning numbers. Premise aside, the movie is fiction – both Cunningham and Penzo are happily married to different people and Cunningham’s wife insisted on splitting the prize money with Penzo.
Taken as a piece of fiction, however, It Could Happen to You is a great romantic comedy DVD to rent for audiences who love seeing the power of basic decency.
Want to find more lists of films to rent for romantic comedy movie fans? Read Fantasy Romantic Comedy Films to Rent, Films to Rent for Fans of Broadway Musicals and Romantic Films to Rent with Historical Figures.
