#romcomproject group 3: Holiday Romance

This is my third round of ranking romantic comedies, a way to nerd-out on an under-appreciated movie genre and entertain myself with a feel-good project during quarantine. For more info on my ranking methodology, see the #romcomproject overview. The first two groups of movies I've ranked are here and here.

'Tis the season for holiday movies, and so I've spent my December watching romantic comedies set during Christmas. It was a great month for celebrating love and joy (something greatly needed during this weird and sad 2020 holiday season). Watching some of my favorite Christmas movies with my rom-com ranking system in mind put a whole new spin on some favorites that I've seen many times before. I even surprised myself with the realization that maybe Love Actually isn't as bad as I had previously thought (something that is difficult to admit). I've also realized that even bad holiday rom-coms are fun to watch!

Movie The Happiest Season (2020)

Rank in this group 12/12

Source Recommended

Seen Before? No

Grade F

Notes There was actually quite a lot of good stuff going for this movie, especially the comedy, and representation of a lesbian love story is great in the holiday movie genre. But ultimately, I couldn't get past Kristin Stewart's inability to act and the fact that I really wanted her to end up with Aubrey Plaza's supporting character.

Movie Serendipity (2001)

Rank in this group 11/12

Source Independent #12

Seen Before? Yes

Grade D

Notes This is another movie I found that I like less watching it now that I'm older. Although the story is sweet and the characters have good chemistry, I felt more frustrated than anything else as I was watching the characters miss each other in their efforts to let fate bring them back together. Also, as a rule, I can't cheer on characters who are not faithful or fair in their other relationships en route to finding true love (which is a big pattern in many of rom-coms).

Movie The Holiday (2006)

Rank in this group 10/12

Source Recommended

Seen Before? Yes

Grade D

Notes You would think that with all these big name stars, the acting would be better, but I almost didn't make it to the end of this one. I think this was my last straw with Cameron Diaz's over-the-top screen presence.

Movie Just Friends (22005)

Rank in this group 9/12

Source Recommended

Seen Before? No

Grade D

Notes Although this movie pokes fun at overweight people and Ryan Reynolds's character is a huge jerk through most of the movie, there were some scenes that were hysterical. I can actually see this being a movie with humor that gets funnier with each watching, but I don't recommend it as a rom-com.

Movie Holidate (2020)

Rank in this group 8/12

Source Recommended

Seen Before? No

Grade D+

Notes The acting is quite bad in this movie--so unbelievable it was distracting, including the many scenes with loud music where the characters talked as though in regular conversation. However, I did enjoy the plot, and the ending was incredibly sweet. I would recommend this as a guilty pleasure in spite of the low grade.

Movie While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Rank in this group 7/12

Source Rotten Tomatoes #121

Seen Before? Yes

Grade C-

Notes This is a sweet movie, although not highly comedic or heavy on music. The entire plot hinges on lying, which is something that gets low points in the "Avoidance of Icky Behavior" score. As one article on this movie put it, Sandra Bullock's character is guilty of "stalking, identify theft, gaslighting...."

Movie Four Christmases (2008)

Rank in this group 6/12

Source Four Christimases

Seen Before? Yes

Grade C+

Notes This movie is laugh-out-loud funny and all of the characters are fabulous. It scores a bit low as a rom-com due to a slim soundtrack and a plot that revolves around lying.

Movie The Mistle-Tones (2012)

Rank in this group 5/12

Source Previous Viewing

Seen Before? Yes

Grade B-

Notes I am on a mission to get more people to put this movie their holiday rotation. It is nothing less than feel-good Christmas fun with lots of great music. The male lead was cast for his voice and dance moves more than his acting ability, and the chemistry of the romance suffered, which is my only complaint.

Movie Last Christmas (2019)

Rank in this group 4/12

Source Recommended

Seen Before? No

Grade B

Notes Out of the four holiday rom-coms I had not previously seen before, this is by far my favorite. It is so sweet and has a soundtrack stuffed with lots of George Michael. I loved the humor and heart, the supporting characters, and the visual beauty. I can't explain my grade without spoilers, so you'll have to watch it for yourself.

Movie The Family Stone (2005)

Rank in this group 3/12

Source Recommended

Seen Before? Yes

Grade B+

Notes I forgot how good this movie was. As an added bonus, my husband watched this one with me, and he loved it too. We'll be adding it to the holiday movie annual rotation.

Movie Love Actually (2003)

Rank in this group 2/12

Source Independent #13

Seen Before? Yes

Grade B+

Notes Here I am, eating my words from all the years I've spent railing against this movie, because as it turns out, it's pretty good in many ways. The acting is wonderful. The soundtrack is terrific. I laughed. I cried. And there are good characters to root for. The problem with this movie is that there are also a bunch of characters who are terrible, and there are too many love stories that don't get off the ground. And yet, one of my favorite love stories of all of the movies I've seen for this project is the one between Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon. So there you go, Love Actually fans, I'm big enough to admit when I'm wrong.

Movie Elf (2003)

Rank in this group 1/12

Source Previous Viewing

Seen Before? Yes

Grade A-

Notes When I started compiling my list of holiday rom-coms, I didn't think of Elf at first, but it certainly fits in the category. And given that Elf is one of the greatest Christmas movies ever made, of course it's the winner of this round.

Note: all images in this post belong to the respective film production companies.