Romance Genre

ROMANCE GENRE

Romance in film is a genre in which the plot revolves around the love between two protagonists. This genre typically has a theme that explores an issue within love, such as: love at first sight, ‘forbidden’ love, ‘sacrificial’ love and love ‘triangles’. The tone and intent of Romance film can vary significantly. Whether the end is happy or tragic, Romance films aim to induce emotions in the audience.

Examples:

Slumdog Millionaire – “Knowing the girl he loves is a fan of the show, an uneducated boy becomes a contestant on the Hindi version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire to win her over.”

The Notebook – “An old man who visits an elderly invalid woman, reads a love story to her that centres around two lovers torn apart by life events.”

Love Actually – “A look at eight very different love stories that are loosely intertwined in England during the Christmas season.”

ROMANCE SUB-GENRES

Romantic Drama

 

These explore the complex side of love. The plot usually centres on an obstacle that is stopping love between two people. The obstacles can, for example, be from a family's disapproval or someone’s own psychological limitations. Many Romantic Dramas end with the lovers separating because of the obstacle, the realisation of incompatibility, or because of ‘fate’. 

Examples: Titanic, Breakfast at Tiffany's, One Day.

 

 

This attempts to catch the viewer’s heart using a combination of love and humour. It is light-hearted and usually places the two protagonists in humorous situations. Romantic Comedy film revolves around a romantic ideal, such as ‘true love’. In the end the ideal triumphs over the situation or obstacle.

Examples: Bridesmaids, When Harry Met Sally, Knocked Up.