When we think of romantic comedies, we think of films we watch for fun, something to which we can turn off our brains and coast through. For me, however, rom coms have been guiding lights throughout my life, shaping me into the woman I am today, and the woman I will be in the future.
Mamma Mia! (2008): Age 8
My earliest rom com experience dates back to 2010, when I saw Mamma Mia! at eight years old. I had always been a big fan of Disney musicals, and it’s safe to say that Mamma Mia! is the closest thing we have to a Disney princess movie for adults (and ABBA fans).
In my firm opinion, it is almost impossible to watch Mamma Mia! without feeling an intense sense of joy. How could a human being watch Meryl Streep sing “Dancing Queen” without at the very least cracking a smile? There is no other film out there that radiates such happiness and positivity as this.
Amongst the killer soundtrack, beautiful Grecian scenery, and incredible dance moves, Mamma Mia! is, at its core, about finding yourself and gaining independence. In her quest to discover who her real father is, Sophie learns that her origins don’t define her, and that she should pursue what she wants despite what others think. At the same time, Donna learns to accept her daughter’s independence and let go of the past. It’s a very touching story that mothers and daughters alike can relate to.
Watching this film at the age of eight set the tone for my growing up. Obviously at such a young age, there were several adult aspects of the film that escaped my comprehension. Nonetheless, I took away the important lessons needed for enjoying my youth: to march through life with my head high, follow my dreams, and along the way, prioritize fun. Overall, Mama Mia! set me up to take on the world as a young girl.
Mean Girls (2004): Age 15
I decided to watch Mean Girls for the first time just before starting high school, as I thought it would prepare me for the trials ahead. Little did I know, Mean Girls would prepare me for not only high school, but life beyond.
Mean Girls is much more than a movie to me; it is nothing short of a textbook I’ve used to navigate relationships throughout my life. The characters in this film are so rich and complex that I’ve been able to compare them to people I’ve encountered in real life. I’ve met many Gretchens, Janices, Karens, and yes, many Reginas. The movie has always served as a guide on handling these different types of relationships.
In a high school setting, drama and gossip are unfortunately bound to happen, but it’s how we look at these issues and deal with them that makes all the difference. Mean Girls taught me the importance of female friendships; that in a world where men try to knock us down, we need to lean on each other instead of letting one another take the fall. Through the eyes of Cady Heron, I learned to take conflicts with a grain of salt, to work towards making friends instead of enemies, and to never sacrifice a long-lasting female friendship for a short-lived relationship with a man. These lessons shaped my high school experience, and continue to follow me into my young adult years.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001): Age 20
Now I’m 20, and I recently decided to watch Bridget Jones’s Diary. Aside from being incredibly funny, heartfelt, and down to earth, this film perfectly captures the good, bad, and ugliness of female adulthood.
As a 20-year-old who still hasn’t found love, I found myself heavily relating to Bridget Jones. There’s so much shame and societal judgement when living independently as an adult woman, and it’s an issue often undiscussed by mainstream media. Additionally, watching Bridget go through the endless cycle of trying to get her life together is extremely relatable to me as a university student. It’s easy to feel inferior these days with an overpopulation of “clean girls” who seem to have everything going for them.
Overall, Bridget Jones’s Diary taught me that when it comes to young adulthood, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. If you haven’t found your other half yet, give it time; the right person is just around the corner. If you feel like you’re falling behind in life, don’t stress; nothing in life is a contest.