Long live romcoms by Stanley Lim
Seriously, how do you hate romantic comedies when they are so entertaining? Remember There’s Something About Mary and what Cameron Diaz combed her hair with? How about The Proposal, where a  wet and naked Sandra Bullock bulldozed into an equally naked Ryan Reynolds? I remember clutching my tummy and laughing like a hyena at those scenes. And the hilarious moments in The Ugly Truth were so good, they made me laugh like a hyena on helium.

Thank you, Katherine Heigl (right), for playing control-freak morning show producer Abby Richter to perfection. We knew you were good in Knocked Up and 27 Dresses; we just didn’t know you were that good with your comic timing. That particular scene where you unwittingly wore a piece of vibrating underwear to dinner will probably remain as one of the highlights of your career for a very long time.

Thank you too, Gerard Butler (below), for playing alpha-male stereotype Mike Chadway. Most men will be grateful to you for being obnoxious, annoying and filthy-minded. You make us look human compared to the Mr Perfects out there with six-packs and who floss their teeth at night. It gives us a sense of hope.

It’s not easy to make a good romantic comedy that push the right buttons and tickle the correct funny bones. And if the leads are correctly cast, the entertainment effect is effectively doubled. Like many pairings beforehand — When Harry Met Sally's Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, Bridget Jones' Diary's Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant, Pretty Woman's Julia Roberts and Richard Gere — Heigl and Butler have an on-screen sizzling chemistry that makes their story believable and brings the entertainment to a whole new level.

More importantly, behind the fluffy plots, hilarious antics and beautiful faces, there are also the heart-wrenching moments that catapult romcoms to success. Like the scene in Love Actually where Andrew Lincoln stands outside Keira Knightley’s door and shows her flashcards, telling her that he loves her. How many hearts did that break? And if you’ve watched Lars and The Real Girl, I’m sure you’ll agree that Ryan Gosling deserves an Oscar for his tear-jerking performance. Back to The Ugly Truth: while the plot is predictable, it does have its moments. Especially scenes where Butler sheds his alpha male ego and looks like a dejected puppy…

If you are not too good with changes and are better with routines, predictable romantic comedies might just be what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for great entertainment, well, you know what to watch. SL

YES POPCORN, WE SURVIVED A BAD MOVIE TOGETHER