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This Cinderella story needs a fairy godmother or two and we are happy to oblige.   French Lover Year: 2025 Written by: Noémie Saglio, Lisa-Nina Rives & Hugo Gélin Adaptation by: Lisa-Nina Rives & Hugo Gélin Dialogue by: Lisa Nina Rives & Hugo Gélin Inspired by: A Very Important Person by Shirli Mushoyef Directed by: Lisa-Nina Rives Stars: Omar Sy, Sara Giraudeau   Show notes:   The heart is, indeed, a sad carny.   If you would like to skip the plot summary for this film you can spool forward a little over 15 minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: Notting Hill* (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/) Always Be My Maybe* (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374948/) Mr Malcolm's List* (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12545566/)   And the TV series: Lupin (2021 - ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2531336/) Bridgerton (2020 - ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8740790/)   *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.     For anyone who is not familiar with the folk tale known in English as 'Cinderella', there is a nice round-up of its history and variants on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderella.     If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can find Lisa on Instagram: @LisaStowaway.   We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.   Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening!

So if you could just run through for us one more time why HR exists...   Office Romance Year: 2026 Written by: Brett Goldstein & Joe Kelly Directed by: Ol Parker Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Brett Goldstein, Betty Gilpin   Show notes: Continuing our very mini Ol Parker season we find that Office Romance is a film of too many parts. And some of them are good!   If you would like to skip the plot summary for this film you can spool forward about 10 and a half minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: The Graduate (1967) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061722/) Two Weeks Notice (2002) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313737/) Notting Hill* (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/)   And the TV series: Ted Lasso (2020- ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10986410/) Lupin (2021- ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2531336/)   *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.   Next month we are going to be talking about French Lover (2025) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32360696/).     If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.   We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening!

Queer representation returns to the Rom Com Rewrite just in time… for the month after Pride month.   Imagine Me & You Year: 2005 Written by: Ol Parker Directed by: Ol Parker Stars: Piper Perabo, Lena Headey, Matthew Goode   Show notes: This film begins with a glance that makes us feel things and continues with some funny lines and not nearly enough queer specificity. It's 2005, people!   If you would like to skip the plot summary for this film you can spool forward a little over 18 minutes into the episode.   Next month we are going to be talking about Office Romance (2026) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33397980/)   If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!

Two films about books about female empowerment. One of these films is more empowering than the other.   Sex & The Single Girl Year: 1964 Screenplay by: Joseph Heller and David R. Schwartz Story by: Joseph Hoffman Based on the book by: Helen Gurley Brown Uncredited writer: Leslie H. Martinson Directed by: Richard Quine Stars: Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Henry Fonda, Lauren Bacall   Down With Love Year: 2003 Written by: Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake Directed by: Peyton Reed Stars: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Sarah Paulson, David Hyde Pierce   Show notes: This month compare and despair returns to the Rom Com Rewrite! The plot summaries for these films take up a good portion of the beginning of this episode. If you would like to skip them you can spool forward a little over 23 minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: The Pink Panther (1963) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057413/) What's Up Doc (1972) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069495/) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251127/) Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243155/) Chicago (2002) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299658/) Moulin Rouge (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/)   And the TV series: The Judy Garland Show (1963-1964) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056767/)   And also the book Sexual Personae by Camille Paglia (1990) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_Personae).   *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.   If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.   Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening!

What does love need?   The Big Sick Year: 2017 Written by: Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani Directed by: Michael Showalter Stars: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan   Show notes: This film falls into the very interesting category of films that a) we are not sure are rom coms and b) we love. As it happens, another of Michael Showalter's films (The Idea of You, which is discussed in episode 43 of this podcast) also falls into this category. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward around 12 minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: When Harry Met Sally* (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/) The Idea of You* (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9466114/) Sleepless in Seattle* (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/) You Got Mail* (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/) Your Place or Mine* (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12823454/) Going The Distance* (2010) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322312/) And the podcast: This American Life (1995 - ) (https://www.thisamericanlife.org/) *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.   Next month we are going to be talking about You, Me & Tuscany (2026) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36352591/)   If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that. Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening!

Welcome to the Saoirse Ronan appreciation society.   I Could Never Be Your Woman Year: 2007 Written by: Amy Heckerling Directed by: Amy Heckerling Stars: Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, Saoirse Ronan   Show notes: There is some good stuff in this film and some bad stuff and it is not Amy Heckerling's best work but it is definitely worth a watch. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward almost 9 minutes into the episode. Correction: The film Charles Adrian remembered as Coming Home is in fact called Home Again.   In this episode we mention the films: Home Again (2017) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5719700/) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083929/) Clueless (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112697/) Vamps (2012) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1545106/) Girls Trip (2017) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3564472/)   And the TV series: Dawson's Creek (1998-2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118300/) Bridgerton (2020- ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8740790/)   Next month we are going to be talking about You, Me & Tuscany (2026) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36352591/)   If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that. Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!

Moustachioed multimillionaire adventurer scientist meets flame-haired kick-ass wine babe in this adventure rom com from 1992.   Year of the Comet Year: 1992 Written by: William Goldman Directed by: Peter Yates Stars: Penelope Ann Miller, Tim Daly     Show notes:   Like loving parents on the touch line at their child's hockey match, we really get into this film. It is already so charming and has so much good stuff in. We just want it to be better!   If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward a little over 4 and a half minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: The Princess Bride (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064115/) All The President's Men (1976) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074119/) Heat (1986) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093164/) Pink Panther (1963) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057413/) The Love Bug (1968) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064603/) Herbie Fully Loaded (2005) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0400497/) Death Becomes Her (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104070/) Romancing the Stone* (1984) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088011/) Con Air (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118880/)   *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.     If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that. Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening!

A film that begins with a meet-cringe and ends with mis-apportioned blame.   Leap Year Year: 2010 Written by: Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont Directed by: Anand Tucker Stars: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode   Show notes:   Happy 5th anniversary to us!!! In this year that is not a leap year please allow us to propose a film about proposals that also did not come out in a leap year.   If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 13 minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: Saving Face* (2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384504/) Holidate* (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9866072/) Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109831/) Overboard (1987) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093693/) Plus One* (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7645122/)   *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.   According to the article about it on Wikipedia, the leap year proposal tradition referenced in this film "is an Irish tradition by which women are allowed to propose to men on Leap Day, 29 February, based on a legend of Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick. It once had legal basis in Scotland and England." The Wikipedia article (accessed February 2026) is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor%27s_Day_(tradition)    If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.   We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.    Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening!

Not so much a rewrite as an appreciation of this 25-year-old classic in general and of Daniel Cleaver as played by Hugh Grant in particular. Bridget Jones's Diary Year: 2001 Screenplay by: Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies, Richard Curtis Based on the novel by: Helen Fielding Directed by: Sharon Maguire Stars: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant Show notes: CN: discussion of fatphobia and diet culture; derogatory language   If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 12 and a half  minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: Notting Hill* (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/) Paddington 2 (2017) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4468740/) Love Actually (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/)   And the TV series: Pride and Prejudice (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112130/)   And the books: Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (1996) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Jones%27s_Diary_(novel)) Sex & The City by Candace Bushnell (1996) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City_(newspaper_column)) Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin (1978) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_City_(novel)) The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend (1982) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Diary_of_Adrian_Mole,_Aged_13%C2%BE) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice) Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding (1999) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Jones:_The_Edge_of_Reason_(novel)) Persuasion by Jane Austen (1817) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persuasion_(novel))   *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.   You can watch the shower sketch from Eddie Izzard's Glorious tour (1997) here: https://youtu.be/0Zfsn82MF3E?si=uhKVM3t9YtR8PKSQ   NB: In this episode, we refer to events from both the first and the second books in the Bridget Jones canon - Bridget Jones's Diary (1996) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (1999)   The passage from the (first) book that Charles Adrian was trying to find is right at the beginning - Sunday 1 January: "It struck me as pretty ridiculous to be called Mr Darcy and to stand on your own looking snooty at a party. It's like being called Heathcliff and insisting on spending the entire evening in the garden, shouting 'Cathy' and banging your head against a tree."    Comic Relief, mentioned in passing at the beginning of this episode, is a British charity co-founded in 1986 by Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_Relief).    If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway.   We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.    Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening!

Why isn't this film called Love Sleeping? Or Love You Were Sleeping? Or Actually, Love, Were You Sleeping? Or Do You Actually Love Sleeping? Or some other combination of the films Love Actually and WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING!? Love Hard Year: 2021 Written by: Daniel Mackey and Rebecca Ewing Directed by: Hernán Jiménez Stars: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet Show notes: This film wants to exist at the place where Love Actually meets Die Hard but the story of a woman who falls for a guy she knows nothing about beyond how he looks makes us think of a different film entirely. There is some good stuff here, some less good stuff and one or two elephants in the room - the biggest and noisiest elephant being: why does this film reference While You Were Sleeping so much and NEVER ONCE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT??? If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about eleven minutes into the episode. In this episode we mention the films: To All The Boys I've Loved Before* (2018) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3846674/)  Always Be My Maybe* (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374948/) Love Actually (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/) Die Hard (1998) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/) While You Were Sleeping* (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/) Home Alone (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/) Single All The Way* (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14315756/) And the TV series: Catfish: The TV Show (2012- ) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2498968/) *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast. Next month we are going to be talking about Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243155/).  If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!

This one is worth returning to - it might be better than you remember! Runaway Bride Year: 1999 Written by: Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott Directed by: Garry Marshall Stars: Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Joan Cusack, Hector Elizondo, Rita Wilson, Paul Dooley, Christopher Meloni, Laurie Metcalf (uncredited) Show notes: Always the bride-to-be! This month we conclude our all-too-brief Julia Roberts mini-season with this gorgeous small-town battle of the sexes. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 11 minutes into the episode. In this episode we mention the films: Notting Hill* (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/) Erin Brokovich (2000) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/)  Pretty Woman (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100405/) Oceans Twelve (2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349903/) While You Were Sleeping* (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/) Let It Snow (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1950235/) *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast. Addendum: it turns out that Laura Solon, who wrote the film Let It Snow, also co-wrote (with Daisy Haggard) the brilliant and funny TV series Back To Life (2019-2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8594510) Next month we are going to be talking about Love Hard (2021) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10752004/).  If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!

It's just a film standing in front of two podcasters asking them to take it lovingly apart and put it back together better. Notting Hill Year: 1999 Written by: Richard Curtis Directed by: Roger Michell Stars: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant Show notes: We really get into this one - and for 'this one' read Richard Curtis films in general and their male leads in particular. 26 years after its release there is much that is good about this film and also much to fix. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 12 minutes into the episode. In this episode we mention the films: Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109831/) About Time (2013) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194499/) Love Actually (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/) Going the Distance* (2010) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322312/) Always Be My Maybe* (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7374948/) The Idea of You* (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9466114/) Pretty Woman (1990) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100405/) And the TV series: Black Books (2000-2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262150/) *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast. Correction: We said in the last episode that Hitch might be the only rom com that centres the heterosexual man's experience. For whatever reason we forgot that Notting Hill also does this. As does Four Weddings And A Funeral. And other Richard Curtis films. If you are interested to read more about what has been called Boarding School Syndrome, Nick Duffell's book The Making of Them is a good primer. Chapter 8 can be found in its entirety on the boardingrecovery site here: https://boardingrecovery.com/docs/leaving-home.pdf.  Next month we are going to be talking about The Runaway Bride (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163187/).  If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!

Women have surfaces, men have depths. Hitch Year: 2005 Written by: Kevin Bisch Directed by: Andy Tennant Stars: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta Show notes: We are not aware of many rom coms that centre a straight man's experience. Maybe this is the only one. Straight men rejoice! Content note: In this episode there is some discussion of incel culture, assault, violence and death. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 5 and a half minutes or so into the episode. In this episode we mention the films: He's Just Not That Into You (2009) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1001508/) Jerry Maguire (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/)  And the TV series: Sex And The City (1998-2004) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159206/) Next month we are going to be talking about Notting Hill (1999) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/) If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!

Always the bridesmaid never the bride. 27 Dresses Year: 2008 Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna Directed by: Anne Fletcher Stars: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Edward Burns, Judy Greer Show notes: This is a film about a woman who says yes and her hate-able sister and the guy they both fancy and another guy called Kevin and a closet full of dresses. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 8 and a half minutes or so into the episode. In this episode we mention the films: The Princess Diaries (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247638/) The Devil Wears Prada (2006) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458352/) In Her Shoes (2005) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388125/) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119738/) Last Christmas (2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8623904/) A Nice Indian Boy* (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16431330/) And the TV series: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4094300/) *This film has previously been featured on the podcast. If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!

Pride season continues! A Nice Indian Boy Year: 2024 Written by: Eric Randall Based on the play by: Madhuri Shekar Directed by: Roshan Sethi Stars: Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff Show notes: Another one for the pile of films that we liked, this is a film about love and culture and family and who does the bride's family's dance at the wedding. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 10 minutes or so into the episode. In this episode we mention the films: The Wedding Banquet* (2025) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32214413/) DDLJ (1995) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112870/) Milk (2008) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1013753/) Bros* (2022) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9731598/) *These films have previously been featured on the podcast. If you would like to know more about OUTtv, you can read about it on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OUTtv_(Canadian_TV_channel).  Next month we are going to be talking about 27 Dresses (2008) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988595/).  If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening!