When you’ve had a rough day and need some chill out time on the couch, there’s nothing like a good rom-com. Some laughs, pretty people, and a love story with characters we really want to see get it on. But every now and again we get some déjà vu going on, as the same faces keep popping up – just in different combinations. Here’s the Her.ie guide to the Top Ten Rom-Com Repeat Offenders.
The Girls
Kate Hudson
Following on from her mom Goldie Hawn’s legacy, Hudson has made her big screen bed in romantic comedies. 2003 hit ‘How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days’ was the perfect showcase of her abilities as a rom-com lead, and she has since gone on to star in less stellar offerings ‘Fools Gold’, ‘You, Me and Dupree’, ‘Raising Helen’ and ‘Bride Wars’.
Notable Exception: Almost Famous
Reese Witherspoon
American sweetheart Witherspoon played the lead in one of our favourite rom-coms of all time. As Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’ she was a riot, and though she’s had high-profile ‘straight’ roles in the years since she’s still very much a rom-com fixture, starring in movies like ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, ‘Just Like Heaven’, and ‘Four Christmases’.
Notable Exception: Walk The Line
Julia Roberts
Ever since she lit up the screen as the ‘hooker with a heart’ in 1990 movie Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts has been a fixture in romantic comedies. From the wonderful ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ to the not-so-wonderful ‘Runaway Bride’ and last year’s ‘Valentine’s Day’, she’s still raking in the big bucks for making us laugh.
Notable Exception: Erin Brockovich
Jennifer Anniston
When the ‘Friends’ cast went their separate ways in 2004 many predicted Anniston’s star would rise higher than her co-stars. They were right. Brad Pitt’s ex has found a constant stream of work in romantic comedies, including ‘Along Came Polly, ‘Rumour Has It’ and ‘Just Go With It’.
Notable Exception: The Good Girl
Drew Barrymore
It’s an unbelievable thirty years since Drew Barrymore melted hearts all over the world as Gertie in E.T. Still as cute as ever, Drew is the perfect ‘girl next door’ and has put her likeability to good use in movies like ‘Never Been Kissed’, ‘5O First Dates’ and ‘Going The Distance’.
Notable Exception: Everybody’s Fine
The Guys
Matthew McConaughey
Finding McConaughey in a movie that’s not a romantic comedy is about as rare as the man himself lasting a whole film with his top on. Star of ‘How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days’, ‘Fools Gold’, ‘Failure To Launch’ and ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’, we suspect he often just gets paid to be pretty.
Notable Exception: The Lincoln Lawyer
Ryan Reynolds
A superhero in one franchise, Reynolds has also played the lead in thrillers and horror movies. So he clearly does have more than one string to his bow. Still, it hasn’t stopped him cropping up in multiple rom coms like ‘Just Friends’, ‘Definitely Maybe’ and ‘The Proposal’.
Notable Exception: Buried
Hugh Grant
From bumbling and adorable in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ to devious and hilarious in ‘Bridget Jones’, Hugh Grant is one of our ultimate rom-com leads. Starring alongside Hollywood heavyweights Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock he played a blinder, and we will always love his victory dance in Love Actually.
Notable Exception: Um… we couldn’t find one. Seriously. Any suggestions?
James Marsden
Completely adorable as the fairytale prince who came to life in ‘Enchanted’, James Marsden is perfect romantic comedy material. He’s put that sweet smile to good use in ‘The Notebook’, (you might not have noticed him what with Ryan Gosling being there too…) and ’27 Dresses’.
Notable Exception: X Men
Ashton Kutcher
It was while he was still playing Kelso in ‘That 70’s Show’ that Ashton Kutcher started his spate of rom-com roles. In 2003 he starred in ‘Just Married’ with ex Brittany Murphy and since then has been seen on screen in ‘What Happens in Vegas’, ‘Valentine’s Day’ and ‘New Year’s Eve’.
Notable Exception: The Butterfly Effect
