![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The two Christmas Romcoms
I've been watching a lot of corny Christmas Romcoms recently. There's something extremely comforting about how predictable and corny they are.
I have also decided that The Princess Switch wins the award for "World's Most Christmas Romcom".
There's are two solid formulas.
The "Prince" formula" - The lead is typically some well known actress with a relatable but aspirational middle class job. They've recently ended a long term relationship and do have a very good looking male best friend who is, out of necessity unavailable, so the plot can happen. A possible alternative is that they're in a relationship but the significant other is absolutely awful.
They travel somewhere exotic over Christmas. Usually somewhere with snow and castles. Often some vaguely European monarchy where everyone speaks with an English accent. Britain itself is also an option here. It's exotic to Americans, and it does have some very nice castles and country houses.
The lead will then encounter the romantic interest in an awkward way but neither is really paying attention. Typically this involves almost being run over. Here we learn that the romantic interest is either. A high ranking member of the aristocracy. It's essential that the Prince has no idea who the person really is. The Prince is well meaning but a little bit aloof. The lead has to show him the importance of charity and to get to know the common people. Meanwhile there's a villain out to find out who this person really is.
The film ends with them going their separate ways, the prince learning who she really is (can happen in either order), realising that he loves her and they get together at the end.
Then there's the "Princess" formula - The lead is not a literal princess, but a very well off, highly sheltered woman engaged to someone that's completely unsuitable. They're a little disillusioned with their life but don't know how to fix it.
They end up, for extremely contrived reasons, in the company of a very good looking single father, typically a widower of 2-3 years. The daughter (it's nearly always a daughter) immediately takes a shine to the woman. As in the "Prince" plot, he has no idea who she really is. The daughter might or might not.
She tries to help out but is completely inept at anything resembling household chores. Over time she learns these essential life skills realises she prefers this life and falls for the romantic lead.
In either plot there has to be some sort of "Cinderella" scene where we learn how well they all scrub up.
The Princess Switch is a particularly impressive one because it pulls a twofer! It's a prince and the Pauper plot, so Vanessa Hudgens plays both a wealthy sheltered duchess, who falls for a single father, and a middle class career woman lying about her identity to a prince. It has the Cinderella scene, and it has the exotic location. Clearly then this manages to tick all the boxes!
I have also decided that The Princess Switch wins the award for "World's Most Christmas Romcom".
There's are two solid formulas.
The "Prince" formula" - The lead is typically some well known actress with a relatable but aspirational middle class job. They've recently ended a long term relationship and do have a very good looking male best friend who is, out of necessity unavailable, so the plot can happen. A possible alternative is that they're in a relationship but the significant other is absolutely awful.
They travel somewhere exotic over Christmas. Usually somewhere with snow and castles. Often some vaguely European monarchy where everyone speaks with an English accent. Britain itself is also an option here. It's exotic to Americans, and it does have some very nice castles and country houses.
The lead will then encounter the romantic interest in an awkward way but neither is really paying attention. Typically this involves almost being run over. Here we learn that the romantic interest is either. A high ranking member of the aristocracy. It's essential that the Prince has no idea who the person really is. The Prince is well meaning but a little bit aloof. The lead has to show him the importance of charity and to get to know the common people. Meanwhile there's a villain out to find out who this person really is.
The film ends with them going their separate ways, the prince learning who she really is (can happen in either order), realising that he loves her and they get together at the end.
Then there's the "Princess" formula - The lead is not a literal princess, but a very well off, highly sheltered woman engaged to someone that's completely unsuitable. They're a little disillusioned with their life but don't know how to fix it.
They end up, for extremely contrived reasons, in the company of a very good looking single father, typically a widower of 2-3 years. The daughter (it's nearly always a daughter) immediately takes a shine to the woman. As in the "Prince" plot, he has no idea who she really is. The daughter might or might not.
She tries to help out but is completely inept at anything resembling household chores. Over time she learns these essential life skills realises she prefers this life and falls for the romantic lead.
In either plot there has to be some sort of "Cinderella" scene where we learn how well they all scrub up.
The Princess Switch is a particularly impressive one because it pulls a twofer! It's a prince and the Pauper plot, so Vanessa Hudgens plays both a wealthy sheltered duchess, who falls for a single father, and a middle class career woman lying about her identity to a prince. It has the Cinderella scene, and it has the exotic location. Clearly then this manages to tick all the boxes!