The Supernatural Rom-Com Frenzy of the Early 2000s
Written by Rebekah Velazquez
Romance films on the silver screen have evolved drastically since the beginning of cinema history. From sweeping epics, foreboding film noir, and wacky screwball comedies, the magic of falling in love has remained a powerful force in film history. In the early 2000s, there was a boom in over-the-top romantic comedies with a supernatural twist. These particular films were born out of an emerging era of new technology, funky colourful fashion, and bubbly pop music that were woven together to create a fascination for stories that reflect the exciting energy of a new millennium. Films such as Kate & Leopold, 13 Going on 30, and Just Like Heaven are a few shining selections in a small yet charming collection of films about the joyous mystery of love in a new, ever-changing era.
Starting off our list is Kate & Leopold (2001) which was directed by James Mangold and starring rom-com queen Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman who had just made his big break in X-Men one year prior. Meg Ryan plays Kate McCay, a bright, modern career woman living in NYC whose life changes when her amateur physicist ex-boyfriend Stuart (played by Liev Schreiber) discovers a time-travelling portal underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Stuart travels back in time to 1876 NYC, where Jackman plays Leopold the Duke of Albany, a passionate and old-fashioned inventor who was in the middle of presenting an early version of an elevator when he notices Stuart following him and inadvertently goes into the portal. In the present day, Kate and Leopold’s paths cross and they slowly begin to fall in love despite their vast differences. Kate & Leopold has fun fairytale energy throughout as Leopold’s fish out of water antics lead them to draw closer together. It’s a tale about modern vs. classic styles of romance and Leopold’s kind and polite nature takes Kate aback as a modern New York City rarely offers any grace, especially when it comes to love. The budding chemistry between the two leads and how Leopold’s old school romantic ways slowly begin to woo Kate allow for plenty of heartwarming moments worth a watch.
The next film is the most well known out of the three mentioned on this list. The delightful film 13 Going on 30 (2004) directed by Gary Winick and starring the always charming Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo is a shining star in the weird supernatural rom-com genre. The film opens in New Jersey in 1987, where Jenna Rink makes a wish on her 13th birthday using “magic pixie dust” given to her best friend Matt Flamhaff that she could become “30, flirty, and thriving.” She wakes up in a trendy NYC apartment in 2004 with her wish of adulthood granted. Jenna now has everything she could’ve ever wanted, a successful career and a famous hunky boyfriend, except a friendship with her best friend Matt. The journey of Jenna and Matt’s reconnection is the heart of this film. The film is a lovely blend of humour, romance, and joy, and Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo’s performances shine through even more because of it. New York City once again plays a backdrop in the story, and its mythical nature plays a wonderful contrast to the eccentric plot these characters find themselves in the midst of. It’s a romantic yet intimidating city where a young woman like Jenna can dream but also be frightened by it, just like what it could be like to fall in love. 13 Going on 30 is a lovely example of good storytelling, bewitching performances, and energetic setting.
Mark Ruffalo (who is an unspoken rom-com icon in my honest opinion) strikes again in Just Like Heaven (2005) directed by Mark Waters in this very odd romance flick with Reese Witherspoon. This particular movie has probably the weirdest “supernatural” twist compared to the other two films on this list. Minor spoilers ahead, but the story is set in San Francisco, CA and Reese Witherspoon’s character Elizabeth is a dedicated emergency medical physician who gets into a horrific car accident on her way to a blind date. Cut to three months later where we are introduced to Mark Ruffalo’s character, David, who is an architect that recently lost his wife and moves into Elizabeth’s vacant apartment. Elizabeth’s spirit begins to appear to David in the apartment and wants him to leave. Unsure of what has happened to Elizabeth and why only he can see her spirit, they both go on an adventure to find out what happened to her soul, and David begins to fall in love with her. This movie is a bit cheesy, a bit too outlandish at times, but Ruffalo and Witherspoon save this average script with their ever so charming chemistry. Ruffalo’s doe-eyed every man with a heart of gold character routine is played up in this film but it works fairly well. As a viewer, you end up rooting for these characters to fall in love and find a way to be together despite their impossible situation.
All of these films encompass mystifying supernatural plots that are a bit hokey and don’t always make a lot of sense but are filled with a lot of heart and soul. Despite the fact that the zany romantic comedy films of the early 2000s aren’t around anymore and many viewers are nostalgic for them, we can appreciate that they existed in this specific window of time. Trends come and go and the romance genre continues to evolve and is now budding into a more inclusive time for a wider spectrum of love stories to be shared on the big (and small) screen. One thing remains through the test of time, that there’s nothing like a good love story. No matter the couple, setting, or era, audiences adore having their heart warmed by the magnetism of falling in love. Here’s to hoping romantic comedies return to some of that hopeless romantic energy these supernatural films have to offer.
