This blog post examines how the formula of traditional romantic comedies is both preserved and modernized in “Hitch,” focusing on its genre characteristics and narrative structure.
Genre Definition of Romantic Comedy
Romantic comedy is commonly known as a genre also referred to as screwball comedy. Since my professor used this term during lectures, I wondered if there was a conceptual difference between the two terms and searched separately. However, most results indicated they are essentially synonymous, leading me to conclude they can be used interchangeably. Generally, when we think of romantic comedy, we naturally consider it a genre combining ‘Romantic’ and ‘Comedy’.
Examining the typical setup of this genre, we see a man and a woman who are sharp-tongued, capable of holding their own in any verbal sparring, yet belong to completely different worlds in terms of profession, environment, or socioeconomic background. They initially seem utterly incompatible as a couple, yet through a series of comedic situations filled with conflict and misunderstanding, they eventually become lovers and often progress to marriage. This progression contains ample romantic elements, while the events unfolding along the way are rich with comedic devices, functioning as lighthearted entertainment. This is likely why the genre has been defined by the compound term “romantic comedy.”
Variations on the Romantic Comedy Theme in ‘Hitch’
It’s difficult to assert that the 2005 film “Hitch” strictly adheres to the traditional elements of romantic comedy. This is because the textbook’s definition of the archetypal romantic comedy is primarily based on couples from films produced between the 1930s and 1950s, whereas the film in question is a relatively modern work from 2005. However, that doesn’t mean the film lacks traditional romantic comedy elements entirely.
The male lead has the somewhat unusual profession of being a ‘date coach,’ while the female lead is a journalist who covers gossipy celebrity scandals. Judging solely by their professional backgrounds, it’s difficult to see them as being in an extreme opposition or displaying a clear class divide. Nevertheless, their first encounter begins with a witty verbal sparring match characteristic of romantic comedies. While it’s not exactly a case of meeting under unfortunate circumstances, the man tries to seduce the woman, while she counters with an attitude of having zero interest in romance, leading to a war of words. It is within this verbal sparring that their relationship begins.
Afterwards, true to his role as a dating coach, the man skillfully pursues the woman, and the process and situations unfold in a highly comical manner. However, the situation reverses when the woman discovers during her reporting that he is a dating coach. She comes to see him as little more than a womanizer, and their disappointment in each other leads to a major fight and their breakup. The story then progresses toward reconciliation as the man’s true feelings are revealed. Overall, I believe this film clearly maintains the basic framework of a romantic comedy.
This is because the structure—where the woman, who initially believed they could never be a couple, ultimately connects with the man through repeated conflicts and arguments while learning to understand each other—is a classic romantic comedy narrative. Furthermore, unlike the romance genre, this film showcases the characteristics of a romantic comedy by focusing the story on comedic situations, emotional exchanges between the male and female characters, and witty banter rather than physical intimacy. Of course, in keeping with modern Hollywood trends, the social commentary found in classic screwball comedies—such as overcoming class conflicts—is relatively toned down. A defining feature is that it’s the kind of film you can enjoy without feeling any heavy burden as you leave the theater.
Characteristics of Romantic Comedies
One traditional characteristic of romantic comedies is their extremely fast-paced narrative progression. In “Hitch,” for instance, the scene where the man sets up consecutive dates from Wednesday to Sunday, rapidly transitioning between shots, gives the impression that the narrative unfolds without delay, maintaining a sense of speed. When an actor mentions a specific event, it immediately cuts to that event on screen, ensuring the story flows smoothly without interruption.
The second characteristic is the protagonists’ distinctly strong personalities. Both possess formidable pride and unwavering convictions, refusing to back down easily. In “Hitch,” the man’s profession as a dating coach is somewhat unconventional, yet it holds unique significance in his role of pairing people who struggle with romance. While it might seem trivial at first glance, the story naturally reveals how deeply attached he is to his job. The female lead, a journalist, also carries a strong sense of responsibility and passion for her work, immersing herself so fully that others label her a “workaholic.” These personality traits lead the two to constantly clash, refusing to back down and forming a relationship full of bickering and friction.
The third characteristic is simply that it’s fun. While this description might feel overly simplistic for defining a film genre, I believe the kind of “fun” experienced while watching different genres is distinctly different. There’s a clear distinction between feeling the fun only after the viewing ends, having been immersed in intense suspense throughout the film, and feeling the fun moment by moment while watching, enjoying every single instant. Because romantic comedies are fundamentally part of the comedy genre, audiences can enjoy the film with laughter and without burden. Therefore, romantic comedies can be considered a genre that is enjoyable throughout the viewing experience, and in that sense, genuinely fun.
Why do people like romantic comedies?
I’ve heard this said in relation to that: Going to the movie theater is a means to temporarily escape reality at a relatively low cost. Considering that couples are the primary audience for romantic comedies, I think they prefer this genre because it’s interesting to watch strong-willed men and women, unconstrained by conventions, get entangled in various incidents and accidents and become lovers, unlike their repetitive, everyday couple life. After all, the characters in romantic comedies are often ‘troublemakers’ caught up in far too many incidents to be seen as realistic couples.
Furthermore, romantic comedies are beloved by many precisely because they are a genre that can be enjoyed without any burden. Some films are too complex in content, or contain violent and brutal depictions that make it difficult to satisfy all audiences. In contrast, romantic comedies center on the universally relatable theme of ‘love,’ combined with comedic elements, making them an ideal genre for light-hearted entertainment.
Why I Love Romantic Comedies
Truthfully, romantic comedies aren’t my absolute favorite genre. Nevertheless, I can definitely say they are one of the genres I enjoy watching. The various events that unfold when two people who are anything but ordinary meet spark my interest. Even though I can somewhat predict the ending where the two will end up together, the crises and conflicts that arise along the way still manage to keep the audience on edge.
Much like how love triangle dramas remain entertaining even when the ending is obvious, romantic comedies maintain their vitality through the unexpected twists and turns that occur during the story’s development, despite the somewhat predictable conclusion. Even within the expected flow, there are moments when those expectations are defied, and I believe the joy felt precisely at those points is the fun that romantic comedies provide.
My Movie Analysis: “Hitch”
“Hitch” retains many elements of traditional romantic comedies while clearly distinguishing itself from 1940s screwball comedies. The biggest difference is that this film develops two storylines simultaneously. One is the protagonist’s work as a dating coach providing romance consulting, and the other is the protagonist’s own love story. This structure is so clearly separated that it feels like two films are playing simultaneously.
The protagonist’s professional narrative—connecting a timid accountant with a crush on a successful top star to that very star—unfolds alongside his personal narrative of navigating his own romance. Had the film focused solely on Hitch’s love story, the plot would likely have felt overly predictable. However, I believe the film gains a unique charm precisely because of this dual narrative structure, tailored to the protagonist’s unconventional profession.
The Value of Romantic Comedy Found in Familiarity
The fact that similar types of films continue to be produced suggests that the genre has been recognized by audiences as having a certain value, which is why it has established itself as a distinct genre. Romantic comedies are one such genre. Therefore, it can be said that romantic comedies are a widely accepted form of film for many people.
Even for someone with mainstream tastes like myself, romantic comedies are a genre I accept without much resistance. Of course, it can be problematic when films are made that merely repeat overly formulaic developments. However, I believe the process of discovering new elements within a familiar framework is also an important pleasure of watching films. In this regard, I think romantic comedies still hold significant value as a meaningful genre that provides enjoyment to audiences, and I believe these genre characteristics will continue to be varied and adapted in diverse ways going forward.
