Tropes
What role do eccentric best friends or sidekicks play in romantic comedies?
They offer comedic relief, advice, and sometimes push the protagonists towards each other.
What does the "opposites attract" trope involve in romantic storytelling? Provide an example from one of our romantic comedies.
The “opposites attract” trope in romantic storytelling involves pairing two characters who seem very different—sometimes in personality, lifestyle, or worldview—and showing how their differences create both conflict and chemistry. The tension keeps the story interesting, while the eventual realization that they balance each other makes the romance satisfying.
Example from When Harry Met Sally:
Harry is cynical, sarcastic, and believes men and women can’t be friends.
Sally is optimistic, organized, and believes in romance.
Their opposite worldviews spark constant banter and disagreements, but those very differences are what make their connection strong and memorable by the end.
This trope works because audiences enjoy watching how love can bridge gaps between two seemingly incompatible people.
Define the "friends to lovers" trope in romantic comedies. Then, provide an example from one of our romantic comedies.
The “friends to lovers” trope in romantic comedies is when two characters start off as friends—often confiding in each other, joking around, or supporting each other—before realizing their feelings run deeper. The appeal is that the romance grows out of trust, comfort, and genuine connection, which makes the relationship feel especially strong and believable.
Example from When Harry Met Sally:
Harry and Sally spend years as friends, supporting each other through breakups, sharing meals, and talking about life.
Their deep friendship lays the foundation for romance—when they finally admit their love, it feels earned and inevitable.
The audience roots for them because the best relationships often grow out of real friendship.
What is one modern twist "A Cinderella Story" gives to the classic fairy tale?
Active, Resourceful Cinderella:
Classic: Cinderella passively waits for a fairy godmother or prince to rescue her.
Modern: Sam works multiple jobs, navigates school, and actively plans how to attend the dance and meet Austin. She’s not waiting to be saved—she’s making things happen.
The Prince is Imperfect and Approachable:
Classic: The prince is perfect, mysterious, and unattainable.
Modern: Austin has insecurities, makes mistakes, and communicates anonymously online before revealing his identity. He’s more a peer than a flawless savior.
Digital Masked Ball:
Classic: The iconic masked ball relies on magic and mystery.
Modern: The “mask” is an anonymous online persona, turning the traditional fairy tale element into something relatable for teens.
Stepfamily as Realistic Villains:
Classic: The stepmother is purely evil, stepsisters are caricatures.
Modern: The stepfamily is mean and controlling, but their cruelty is grounded in realistic social dynamics—humiliation, favoritism, and social dominance—not magic.
Romance Built on Choice and Humor:
Classic: Love often feels instantaneous or fated.
Modern: Sam and Austin’s relationship grows through texting, shared jokes, and mutual understanding, emphasizing compatibility and personal choice.
What is the central question that "When Harry Met Sally" seeks to answer about relationships?
“Can men and women truly be just friends, or will romantic feelings always get in the way?”
The film explores this question through Harry and Sally’s evolving relationship over years of chance encounters, conversations, and shared experiences.
It examines themes of friendship, timing, compatibility, and the ways personal beliefs and insecurities shape romantic connections.
By the end, the story suggests that deep friendship can form the foundation for lasting love—but only when both people are willing to be honest and vulnerable.
What is a "fake relationship" in the context of romantic comedies? What makes this trope exciting for the audience?
A “fake relationship” in romantic comedies is when two characters pretend to be dating or in love—usually to achieve some goal, like making an ex jealous, pleasing their families, or improving their social status.
The fun of the trope comes from the tension: while the relationship starts out as an act, the characters often develop real feelings along the way. The audience gets to enjoy the dramatic irony of watching them “fake it” while knowing love is sneaking in for real.
What does "forced proximity" refer to in romantic comedies? Provide an example from one of our romcoms.
“Forced proximity” in romantic comedies refers to situations where two characters are put in close physical or situational contact—often by circumstance—which forces interaction and sparks romantic tension.
Example from When Harry Met Sally (1989):
Harry and Sally are thrown together on their car ride between Chicago and New York. Initially awkward and argumentative, the long drives force them to talk, share opinions, and gradually understand each other.
Again, they are forced together on a plane ride.
These repeated encounters create both tension and connection, setting the stage for their eventual romance.
Name an eccentric friend/sidekick character from one of our romantic comedies and explain their contribution.
When Harry Met Sally
Eccentric Friend: Marie (Carrie Fisher), Sally’s best friend.
Contribution: Marie is witty, a little neurotic, and always quoting lines like “You’re right, you’re right, I know you’re right.” She brings humor and realism to Sally’s love life. Plus, her relationship with Jess mirrors the “happy ending” that Harry and Sally are still searching for, adding contrast and hope.
A Cinderella Story (2004)
Eccentric Friend: Carter Farrell (played by Dan Byrd), Sam’s best friend.
Contribution: Carter is goofy, dramatic, and obsessed with acting. His constant role-playing (slipping into accents, pretending to be characters) makes him quirky and funny. More importantly, he gives Sam steady support and encouragement, reminding her that she deserves better than what her stepfamily gives her. His loyalty and comic relief balance the film’s more serious moments, making Sam’s journey feel lighter and more hopeful.
Name the main characters in "A Cinderella Story" and their relationships.
Sam, Austin, Carter, Fiona, Rhonda, Shelby
Key relationships:
Sam and Austin: love interests, connected through online messages and in-person interactions.
Sam and Carter: close friends, emotional support, and comic relief.
Sam and stepfamily (Muriel, Fiona, Portia): antagonistic; they create obstacles Sam must overcome.
Describe the evolution of Harry and Sally's relationship throughout the film.
Harry and Sally meet on a road trip and immediately clash over whether men and women can be friends, showing their opposite personalities. Over the years, repeated encounters turn into a genuine friendship built on trust, support, and shared experiences. Romantic tension grows subtly, with the “will they/won’t they” suspense keeping the audience engaged. Finally, on New Year’s Eve, Harry confesses his love, and their kiss after the countdown shows that timing and courage make love possible.
Name a key element that must exist in a lovable lead to ensure audience connection. Then, give an example from a film that we have watched.
A key element is relatability—the audience needs to see something of themselves (their struggles, desires, or flaws) in the lead character.
When Harry Met Sally
Relatability – Sally’s pickiness about food and relationships makes her funny but also very human.
Humor/Charm – Harry’s sarcastic wit makes him entertaining, even when he’s cynical.
Vulnerability – Both characters show loneliness and uncertainty about love, which makes the audience root for them.
A Cinderella Story (2004)
Kindness/Compassion – Sam (Hilary Duff) works hard, stays sweet to her friends, and doesn’t let her stepfamily’s cruelty change her.
Flaws/Imperfections – She doubts herself and hides behind online messages instead of speaking up, which makes her more relatable.
Courage/Resilience – By the end, she stands up to her stepmother and claims her own happy ending.
What is "wish fulfillment" in the context of romantic comedies? Give an example from EACH of the romcoms we have seen.
In the context of romantic comedies, “wish fulfillment” refers to moments where the story gives the audience a satisfying, often idealized version of romance or life—showing characters getting exactly what they hope for, even if it’s unlikely in real life. It’s a key part of the genre because it lets viewers imagine their own fantasies coming true.
Example from A Cinderella Story (2004):
Sam, an underdog working for a mean stepfamily, ends up with the popular, kind, and handsome Austin. She overcomes obstacles and achieves her “dream romance,” giving the audience the satisfying fantasy of being rewarded for kindness, courage, and patience.
Example from When Harry Met Sally (1989):
Harry and Sally finally admit their love after years of friendship and personal growth, fulfilling the fantasy that “the right person is worth waiting for” and that true love can be both funny and deeply meaningful.
Define the "will they/won't they" tension in romantic storytelling.
The “will they/won’t they” tension in romantic storytelling is when the audience knows—or suspects—that two characters have romantic feelings for each other, but circumstances, misunderstandings, or personal flaws keep them apart. This tension keeps viewers or readers hooked, because they’re constantly wondering if the characters will finally get together.
How does the online persona of Sam lead to misunderstandings in the film?
In A Cinderella Story (2004), Sam’s online persona plays a central role in creating misunderstandings and driving the plot:
Anonymous Identity:
Sam communicates with Austin online without revealing her real identity. She uses a screen name, keeping her messages private and separate from her real-life persona.
Misaligned Expectations:
Austin falls for Sam’s online personality, unaware she’s the same girl he sees at school. Meanwhile, Sam worries he won’t like her real self, creating tension and hesitation.
Mistaken Impressions:
Both characters make assumptions about each other’s lives and personalities based solely on their online exchanges. This leads to awkward real-life encounters where neither knows the “truth,” heightening romantic tension.
Plot Conflict & Payoff:
The anonymous communication drives the story toward a dramatic reveal at the dance. The misunderstandings make their eventual recognition and romantic resolution feel earned and emotionally satisfying.
How does New Years play a role in the film?
Symbol of New Beginnings:
New Year’s represents fresh starts and second chances, mirroring Harry and Sally’s journey from friends to romantic partners.
Climactic Romantic Moment:
The famous scene where Harry confesses his love for Sally happens during the New Year’s Eve party. Both times they kiss or come together occur right after the countdown, symbolizing that timing is up to you—love happens when you’re ready to take the leap.