Romance Is Dead: The Rise And Fall (And Rise) Of The Romantic Comedy

Boy meets girl, boy meets boy, obstacles arise, hilarity ensues and finally after some suspense...romance endures.

That formula for one of the staples of cinema, the rom com, has made films such as When Harry Met Sally, Four Weddings And Funeral and She's Got Mail Hollywood classics.

There have been many arguments about what the first rom-com was, but the consensus appears to be that it all started back in 1924 with one silent movie in particular: Girl Shy starring Harold Lloyd.

This movie, along with another classic called Sherlock Jnr starring Buster Keaton, were the precursors to the ones we know, love and can't help but continue to quote today. Back then they were silent movies and dialogue was captured by sign cards, it was a lot harder to say, "I'll have what she's having".

William Shakespeare and Jane Austen have given writers plenty of inspiration for romantic comedy - but is it still happily ever after? From meet cute, screen chemistry, representation and cinema versus TV - we explore the highs and lows of rom-coms with a reminder of some of the greats.

Corin Throsby talks to some rom-com experts who wear their hearts on their sleeve - writer Scott Meslow, Hollywood screenwriter Tiffany Paulsen, Tim Bevan, CEO of Working Title, which has produced some of our most loved rom-coms and Nathan Byron and Tom Melia, the writers of BAFTA nominated 2023 hit Rye Lane.

Curl up, tune in and pick a favourite.