From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of the Romantic Comedy – An Oral History with Exclusive Interviews from Iconic Stars and Filmmakers

by Scott Meslow

An in-depth celebration of the romantic comedy's modern golden era and its role in our culture, tracking the genre from its heyday in the '80s and the '90s, its unfortunate decline in the 2000s, and its explosive reemergence in the age of streaming, featuring exclusive interviews with the directors, writers, and stars of the iconic films that defined the genre.

No Hollywood genre has been more misunderstood--or more unfairly under-appreciated--than the romantic comedy. Funny, charming, and reliably crowd-pleasing, rom-coms were the essential backbone of the Hollywood landscape, launching the careers of many of Hollywood's most talented actors and filmmakers, such as Julia Roberts and Matthew McConaughey, and providing many of the yet limited creative opportunities women had in Hollywood. But despite--or perhaps because of--all that, the rom-com has routinely been overlooked by the Academy Awards or snobbishly dismissed by critics. In From Hollywood with Love, culture writer and GQ contributor Scott Meslow seeks to right this wrong, celebrating and analyzing rom-coms with the appreciative, insightful critical lens they've always deserved.

Beginning with the golden era of the romantic comedy--spanning from the late '80s to the mid-'00s with the breakthrough of films such as When Harry Met Sally--to the rise of streaming and the long-overdue push for diversity setting the course for films such as the groundbreaking, franchise-spawning Crazy Rich Asians, Meslow examines the evolution of the genre through its many iterations, from its establishment of new tropes, the Austen and Shakespeare rewrites, the many love triangles, and even the occasional brave decision to do away with the happily ever after.

Featuring original black-and-white sketches of iconic movie scenes and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers behind our most beloved rom-coms, From Hollywood with Love constructs oral histories of our most celebrated romantic comedies, for an informed and entertaining look at Hollywood's beloved yet most under-appreciated genre.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Pop Culture, Romance, History, Film, Media Tie In

432 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2022

About the author

Scott Meslow is a writer, editor, and critic with over 10 years of experience on the entertainment and culture beat. He writes for publications including GQ, Vulture, The Atlantic, and The Week. His portfolio includes profiles, Q&As, reported features, film and TV reviews, podcasts, and pretty much anything else you might need somebody to write.

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this isn’t the book version of comfort food for me, I don’t know what is. A discussion of rom-com movies from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s??? Yaaaaassss!

Author Scott Meslow takes readers from Harry Met Sally all the way through recent adaptations of novels like Crazy Rich Asians and To All the Boys I Loved Before. Sample topics covered:

- the genius of Nora Ephron

- how Hugh Grant became a reluctant floppy-haired suitor

- Judy Greer vs Kathryn Hahn as the best friend

- Julia Roberts’s insecurities with and frostiness to Cameron Diaz in My Best Friend’s Wedding

- and so on and so forth

This would have been a full five-star read for me had my personal favorite, Notting Hill, been included. Gotta deduct half a star for its omission, but otherwise From Hollywood with Love wooed me and wooed me good.

4.5 stars

Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/

[Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - still catching up! · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Dey Street Books, and Scott Meslow for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.1!**

If you can finish the following without hesitation:

Must Love ____

When Harry Met ____

and

If you can't help but stop channel surfing when Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, or Colin Firth is on the screen...

this is the PERFECT book to get you into a swoon-y state of mind!

From Hollywood with Love is a thoroughly researched and fascinating look behind the curtain of some of Hollywood's biggest successes in the rom-com genre. It also explores HOW the genre evolved, where it's been, how it flopped (temporarily) and the rise of the new generation of rom-com, on both the small screen and silver screen. Meslow explores the tropes, good, bad, and ugly, and doesn't shy from topics like the limited representation we've seen up until recent years, the mercurial nature of some of your favorite actors, actresses, directors, and writers (and the will of steel of others!), and how quickly Hollywood can turn on a dime when execs smell a success (or a failure) to be. The book covers quite a bit of ground, from the eighties until today, but never dwells on any one film for TOO long.

The funniest thing I discovered while reading this one is that as big a rom-com fan as I am? SO many movies discussed in this book I haven't even seen! Heard of them, absolutely. All were chosen carefully, and had some impact on the zeitgeist. What this also led me to realize is I have a LOT of 'homework' to do after reading this book to get caught up...AND I am just enough of a movie nerd to thoroughly enjoy this book regardless! One minor point: mention is made of Love, Simon and that the director wanted the film to have a happy ending etc....but NO mention is made that Love, Simon is an adaptation of Becky Albertalli's Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda...where the ending has already been spelled out. (This probably bugged me since I'm an Albertalli fan and loved the source material). However, if this is the only quibble I had with this book, I'd say Meslow thoroughly wooed me!

So settle in with some popcorn and a box of candy, or perhaps a pint of Häagen-Dazs, crank up Red Rain, and take a journey down rom-com lane...after all, you just KNOW you'll get a happy ending! 😉

4 stars

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall (And Rise Again) of the Romantic Comedy by Scott Meslow is a 2022 Dey Street Books publication.

This is another fun non-fiction book I stumbled across which is centered around a specific sub-genre or topic. Recently, I’ve found myself drawn more and more to these types of books because they are nostalgic and fun, easy and light, but also informative and thought-provoking.

This format of this book is really nice, and of course it starts off with the mother of all romantic comedies- ‘When Happy Met Sally’. Each section is brief, giving a history of the movie, the casting, the behind-the-scenes discussions and the audience’s response to the film.

There are few brief essays inserted in between the chapters too, and some nice sketches inbetween chapters.

It is funny to me how so many people tend to dismiss these movies, but they are some of the most beloved, highest-grossing movies ever. These movies made stars out of many of the actors who had roles in these films. Anytime anyone brings up one of these movies, we always laugh and start sharing our favorite lines or parts in the movie. What this says to me is that these movies make us feel good- and that these movies are far more memorable than anyone wants to admit.

I thought one of the more interesting segments was the one about ‘Pretty Woman’. I honestly didn’t like this one as much as everyone else- but the history behind it is very interesting, working off a rather grim screenplay. The metamorphosis is incredible.

The other movie that had an amazing story behind it was ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’. Everyone loves an underdog- so I loved that this independent film had its own happy ending… and then some. It’s also one of my favorite Rom- Coms. I love this movie- and okay… John Corbett is really easy on the eyes. 💗💓

Are your favorites featured in the book? I’m sure they are- but because this is not a tome or an exhaustive research project- there might be a few movies that you thought should be included but didn’t make the cut. But I’ll go out on a limb here and say I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the movies the author highlighted in this book. It’s a great mix of different styles of comedy and romance, with likely and unlikely success stories- and the impact these movies had on the careers of many of our favorite actors and on Hollywood, as well.

The Rom-Com is still one of the most popular genres, even if the onslaught of Hallmark movies, Lifetime movies, Hulu, Netflix etc. have maybe oversaturated the market- the main draw is still there- the bottom line never changing- these movies make us feel good-

And that’s something that never goes out of style…

With the surge in rom-com books out right now- those who find themselves enjoying those novels might also enjoy looking back on some of the best movies in this category- and, like me, consider some of the newer films in this genre-and maybe a few television movies and shows, too.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable book, and I had a lot of fun with it. Of course, now, I want to go back and watch these movies all over again!

History fans, pop culture enthusiasts, film lovers, and fans of this genre will love this one!!

What is your favorite Rom-Com movie?? I'd love to know. It's hard to beat When Harry Met Sally- but other than, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I also love Notting Hill and While you Were Sleeping... And Bridget Jones's Diary.

4 stars

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

From Hollywood with Love by Scott Meslow is an exploration into the popularity of the romantic comedy (rom-com) genre of movies covering a span of over thirty years starting from the late 1980s through the 1990s to the present day. The author addresses the immense popularity of this genre in the 80s and 90s, followed by a period that saw a decline in interest and the favorable response to romantic comedies in the present day. Not only does the author talks about celebrated studio releases (such as When Harry Met Sally, Love Actually or the more recent Crazy Rich Asians) that are representative of the genre but also takes a look at how contemporary web streaming services have contributed to the revived interest in romantic comedies in today's day and age (citing the example of the To All The Boys I Loved Before series of movies released on Netflix).

It should be noted that the author has made a careful selection of movies based on certain criteria (timeline, critical and commercial success, influence and legacy) and by no means is this an exhaustive list. The book is informative, entertaining and exceptionally well structured with sixteen chapters each devoted to different movies in the genre and the actors whose careers have benefitted from their contribution to this genre. From the choice of source material and development of the stories to production issues and casting decisions, the author gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the making of some of the popular romantic comedies that are loved by fans across the globe. The author breaks down the most memorable dialogues and iconic scenes from these movies and talks about the writers, directors and actors involved in the creative process.

My personal favorites were the chapters on When Harry Met Sally, Waiting to Exhale and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. After each of the chapters (barring the last one), there are essays on actors who have played significant roles in in this genre. It is commendable that the author has not limited the essays to lead actors or actresses but has included those in significant supporting roles as well such as Judy Greer and Mindy Kaling. The author also shares sharp factual and analytical insight (exclusive of any reference to tabloid gossip) into public perception and media and audience reaction, towards not only the movies cited in the narrative but romantic comedies in general, over time and the factors that contributed to the dimmed popularity and renewed interest towards the same.

I alternated between reading the book and listening to the audio narration. Jeremy Arthur ‘s narration is engaging, upbeat and conversational and makes for an enjoyable listening experience. From Hollywood with Love by Scott Meslow is a fascinating read and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantic comedies and is interested in an in-depth look into the creative process behind some of the most loved romantic comedies of our time. This book will make you want to rewatch some of your old favorites and/or add a few new names to your to-watch list!

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (William Morrow) for promotional purposes.

I absolutely love romantic comedy movies. It is one of my favorite movie genres so I was pretty excited to read this. This book was everything I hoped for and more.

This book explores the history of romantic comedies, starting with When Harry Met Sally and ending with To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Each chapter is dedicated to a different movie, with an essay in between exploring different rom-com actors.

The selection of movies and actors were a good mix. I liked that it discussed non-white rom-coms (Waiting To Exhale) and rom-coms about older women (Something’s Gotta Give).

I was also happy that the book dove into how problematic Hollywood can be. In discussing the Oscars So White controversy, the author writes, “this long standing bias reflected the type of loves stories the Academy deemed worthy of serious consideration…It raises a question Hollywood still hasn’t seriously reckoned with: Do critics and voters like the best stories, or the ones that out comfortingly reflects their own lives?” (pgs. 77-78). I found that question deeply intriguing and it brings up a very important point on the biases prevalent in the film industry. It’s a question that spans across all movie genres and not just romantic comedies.

The author’s writing style was so accessible and easy to read. Sometimes nonfiction can be dry, but this book was like reading a magazine article.

The book was also incredibly well researched. Every chapter is filled with so much information on the history and background of the movie, as well as fun trivia. The author includes a Notes section at the end with the citations to all his research.

Lastly, The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter were adorable and a very cute touch.

Overall, I loved this look into the world of Hollywood romantic comedies. If you are a fan of the movie genre, you have to read this book!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of romcoms, both in book and movie form, so I knew that From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of the Romantic Comedy by Scott Meslow was going to be a must-read for me. Each chapter focused on a different movie with various details about each movie and other random facts about everything from casting to where the idea for the movie came from. After every movie chapter, there is also an essay that focuses on a different actor or actress from the movie in the prior chapter. Although I am sure some movie/pop culture lovers will already know many of the things mentioned in this book, I did not, and I feel like I learned a lot about the movies and the people the essays discussed. It is clear that Meslow did a ton of research to put this book together, and I loved all the details as well as the nostalgia it gave me. There were a handful of movies that I haven't watched, but I still really enjoyed learning more about them and I could see myself doing a reread of this after I do watch them.

I was a little surprised that the audiobook isn't narrated by Meslow, but instead by Jeremy Arthur. Whatever the reason for that, I still loved it and Arthur has an amazing voice that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to. I got so lost in this book which is really rare when it comes to nonfiction since most of the time, I'm reading memoirs of celebs I'm familiar with but don't know much about. I wouldn't say I am able to lose myself in their stories but when it comes to losing myself in details about romcoms apparently, I am all in! The only thing that I will say about this one, is I'm not entirely sure it lives up to the promise of actually discussing why romcoms rise and fall in popularity. Overall, I would say it was more about these classic romcoms themselves and the people who helped them come to be. From Hollywood with Love may not have been completely what it promised it would be, but that didn't have any effect on me loving it. This is a book I will be keeping on my shelf, and if you are a romcom lover and want to know about how these movies were made, I would still suggest grabbing a copy of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic comedies were extremely popular in the late 1980s to early 2000s. This nonfiction book takes us on a behind the scenes look at many of those beloved movies and also discusses the careers of A-List actors who catapulted to fame with their work in the genre. While romcoms might have fallen out of favor with audiences, and more so studios, recently they have been making a comeback on streaming channels.

I'll admit, I'm very particular when it comes to watching a romantic comedy. I won't watch just anything, but I do have a handful of favorites. However, this book was an interesting read despite the fact I'm not a romcom super fan. I enjoyed hearing what went into the production of each movie such as casting and script decisions. The movies featured in the book are pretty much all of the box office mega hits and regardless of whether I had seen each one, it was still a fun read.

Thank you to William Morrow and Dey Street Books for providing me with a copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

In this book, the author goes into the history of the romantic comedy and how films of the genre, and how they’ve been perceived, have changed throughout the years. The book is told with each chapter focused on a specific movie, focusing on things such as how the film was made, why certain creative decisions were made and how trends in the genre and general pop culture played into the making of the film and its success or lack thereof. For example, in the chapter about the film “Friends with Benefits,” it is discussed how, at the time the film was made, a lot of the luster had gone from the genre and studios were trying, and often failing, in trying to update romantic comedies to play better with more younger audiences. The chapters are followed by essays regarding actors and actresses who had played roles in the genre. Well-paced and interesting this book will either be a treat for those who love romantic comedies or give one a new appreciation of it. This book is enjoyable for not only fans of the genre, but for film and pop culture aficionados as well. – Madeline C.

[Zoraida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great detail and little known facts. Straight forward and honest. Smart and made me want to have a rom com movie 🍿 night.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning with early 90's Rom Com Classics, like When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman and While You Were Sleeping, and moving nearly 30 years forward in time to relatively recent surprise hits like Crazy Rich Asians and To All The Boys I Loved Before, From Hollywood with Love is an ode to the rom com film genre.

It analyzes in turn 15 representative rom coms from the aforementioned time period, interspersed with essays about the actors and actresses who made those rom coms timeless classics, including Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock, Hugh Grant, and Bill Pullman.

On a positive note, for those who adore this genre, From Hollywood with Love is a great way to revisit the films and characters you adore. And maybe, in the process, you learn a few fun little trivia tidbits that you never knew about potential alternate casting choices, switched endings and deleted scenes from those beloved films.

In short, for each film it covers, From Hollywood with Love kind of acts like a well-researched behind-the-scenes DVD add on short, without the accompanying pictures and talking heads. Each chapter summarizes how the ideas for each film arose, what the production and casting process for the movie was like, how it performed at the box office, and what other films used the original film's success as a jumping off point.

What From Hollywood with Love doesn't do is what it promises in its intro. This isn't a book that ever really attempts to deconstruct its presumed dual thesis questions, which are, I think: "Why do rom coms rise and fall in popularity among the movie-going public over time? What does society's changing opinions about rom coms says about modern love, dating and relationships, during the time periods in which their popularity has risen and fallen?"

There's no real thematic through-line between the chapter long discussions of particular movies and actors, and the chapters and essays that follow them, apart from simple chronological order.

As for the chapters themselves, they often do little to really delve into the plot points and scenes that made these movies so lovable in the first place. Instead, the author tends toward reciting dry facts about the box office numbers a particular movie pulled in, what movies were up against it on its opening weekend, and what sort of negotiations the writers and producers had to endure to get the film made in the first place.

As someone who loves a lot of the movies presented in From Hollywood with Love, and has, as a result, sought out various articles and documentaries about those movies, I personally didn't feel like I learned all that much new about the films featured in this book. As for the movies that I didn't see or didn't particularly like, I found the chapters describing them to be a bit dry and unfulfilling.

Suffice it to say, From Hollywood with Love is the kind of book that would work well as a coffee table or bathroom read. In other words, it would likely be enjoyable to skim one of its chapters, every once in a while, as a way to revisit a particular movie or actor you love. But it's not necessarily something I would recommend reading from cover to cover, even if you are a hardcore rom com fan like I am.

[Stephanie (Books in the Freezer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun, but now I have all these facts that I need an outlet for. I also have to rewatch some of these for nostalgic reasons. I wish we would have gotten as essay on Runaway Bride, but we got one on Pretty Woman and My Best Friend's Wedding so we had a bit of Julia Roberts already

[Nev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun look at the romantic comedy genre! It covers 15 different movies in depth and has smaller essays in between the chapters focused on different actors and topics related to rom coms. The book starts in the late 80s with When Harry Met Sally… and goes up through 2018 with To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.

As the title of the book suggests, Scott Meslow tracks the rise, fall, and rise again of rom coms on streaming services. The book is almost completely focused on big Hollywood, major studio rom coms. He does discuss how the majority of Hollywood rom coms are very straight and white. Waiting to Exhale, Crazy Rich Asians, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before do get deep dives, but I think it would’ve been cool if he used some of the interstitials between the chapters to highlight diverse rom coms that existed outside of the Hollywood sphere.

I think this is a great read for anyone who really loves romantic comedies. It’s interesting to hear behind the scenes stories about how the different movies were made. There’s a lot of information about early versions of the scripts, who was originally cast to play certain parts, and how romantic comedies have changed over the years.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of the Romantic Comedy
AUTHOR: Scott Meslow
PUB DATE: 02.01.2022 Now Available

An in-depth celebration of the romantic comedy’s modern golden era and its role in our culture, tracking the genre from its heyday in the ’80s and the ’90s, its unfortunate decline in the 2000s, and its explosive reemergence in the age of streaming, featuring exclusive interviews with the directors, writers, and stars of the iconic films that defined the genre.

REVIEW: I am a huge fan of the romantic comedy genre which made this book a must read for me. Meslow’s impeccable research in bringing in the inside scoop, back stories, and exclusive interviews made this book such an insightful read for me on the landmark movies of the era like Pretty Woman, When Harry Met Sally, and so much more from the golden era of the romantic comedy—spanning from the late ’80s to the mid-’00s. Great book and resource! Highly recommend.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

first a formal apology to the author bc when I first saw this book I was like “omg the perfect book! wait…. written by a man 🤨” but this was great and anyone who is a romcom scholar is a friend of mine.

anyways love love loved this! i have long loved the romcom, one could say I’m a bit of a romcommunist even, and this book was a great journey from the goat (when harry met sally) to the present day hits (to all the boys I’ve loved before). I thought the book was organized brilliantly, going through the phases of the modern romcom era with a well curated list of focus movies, supporting mentions, and essays on relevant tropes/actors in between the main chapters.

I learned a lot of interesting behind the scenes facts about how these movies came together and it made me want to rewatch old favourites and finally get around to some hits I never got to for whatever reason. it was awesome to get to ruminate on the lifecycle of this beloved genre and it’s highs and lows. I have to say I don’t have a lot of confidence in the ability of romcoms to return to being box office staples, but I guess as long as streaming services promise to keep them alive I’ll survive. was interesting to think about the role of television and particularly the sitcom couple as a factor in the downturn of romcoms in the 00s/10s. but also it was nice to be assured that the “death of the romcom” was largely overblown.

I hope everyone who ever makes a romcom ever again reads this book!! long live the romcom!!!!

[Stetson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review -> https://stetson.substack.com/p/to-all...

If you're a Millennial or older, you've probably channel surfed your way into watching a RomCom or two. If not, maybe you've been dragged to one by a date or you are just a genuine fan. Regardless, we all have some familiarity with the genre of romantic comedy. Boy meets girl (or vice versa) then they go through some hijinks that causes boy to lose girl (or vice versa) and then some grand gesture or serendipity brings boy and girl happily together. The plots of films like these are of course reliably similar and predictable, but the performances, personalities, perspectives, and jokes distinguish forgettable fare from endearing and enduring experiences. This is likely what makes RomComs more "re-watchable" than other genres. The generally lighter tone and subject matter doesn't hurt either. However, you've also probably noticed that RomComs premiering in movie theaters have all but disappeared or been blended with other IP or genres (e.g. The Lost City). And unless your Netflix has discovered you're a diehard RomCom fiend, these films probably haven't shown up much in your streaming queue either. What has felled this former powerhouse genre?

Scott Meslow's From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of the Romantic Comedy is a work of popular film criticism that tries to answer this question. As the title suggests, Meslow also argues that RomComs are making a comeback of sorts and adjusting to the new cultural and economic moment. The work is organized essentially as a chronologically-ordered power ranking of RomCom. The criteria for consideration are a little fuzzy and are influenced heavily by Meslow's personal preferences. Accordingly, the list is a bit idiosyncratic and is far from comprehensive. Meslow does give us a clear definition of the genre, a central romantic narrative where the object is to make the audience laugh more than cry, but it is one that could be more robust. I'm also not sure it is a definition he hews to perfectly in his list. His rankings include roughly 15 films with an interlude about a film that wasn't produced because it enables a discussion of the shifting economic and cultural dynamics affecting RomComs.

The chronological ordering of the ranking allows Meslow to track how tropes and representation have changed in the genre over the last three decades. He also inserts brief essays about important figures in the genre: Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, John Cusack, Mindy Kaling, etc. Meslow starts us off with an extended discussion of When Harry Met Sally (1989), which both exemplifies and inaugurates the golden age of the RomCom. It is a bit fuzzy why Meslow decides to start in 1989 rather than with Annie Hall (1977) or for that matter Sherlock Jr. (1924) and Girl Shy (1924) or even William Shakespeare. It seems Meslow's priority is addressing contemporary trends and keeping the book short, and WHMS does seem to be a clear watershed for the "modern" RomCom. However, I think Meslow's discussion of WHMS doesn't entirely explore why the film was so successful. He focuses a lot on how the working dynamic between Rob Reiner (the director) and Nora Ephron (the writer) contributed to the film's content and the importance of the casting decisions, but spends too little time actually exploring the content itself. Meslow does use WHMS to point out that traditionally the sources of relationship conflict in RomComs is usually character or class differences but this is a prosaic observation relative to what WHMS is trying to say about men and women and why audiences still respond to it.

The rest of the book is a somewhat gossipy and logistics focused tour through other popular films like Pretty Woman (1990), My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), and Crazy Rich Asians (2018). Meslow spends a bit more time discussing the development process, casting changes, and business decisions and performance with these films than their actual content with some exceptions. Moreover, sometimes the content discussions have more to do with issues around the film than the film itself, such as diverse representation in Waiting to Exhale (1995) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018). We do get the necessary interlude about the genre's turning point circa 2010. Meslow highlights the rise of the streaming model and the studio's emphasis on achieving blockbuster returns, meaning a growing need for continuing franchise IP, a move that privilege comic book or superhero-like characters. Meslow argues that there is a market inefficiency here and that there is an adult, especially female, audience that is being underserved by the lack of mid-level theatrical releases in genres like the RomCom. He premises this claim on the success of a few recent cases, but I think the jury is still out and that the genre is clearly languishing. One big indicator here is the lack of gen X and millennial RomCom stars and a near full decade without a RomCom theatrical phenomenon. In some ways it is a dead genre because all of the content has been dredged or has gone stale for target audiences.

I generally appreciated the casual framing of From Hollywood with Love. It kept the work lighter and more casual. I'm not sure RomCom's deserves or could withstand serious intellectual scrutiny or at least not Meslow's conception of the genre. The earlier half of his list is much stronger, and I think makes a good case for why his conception of the drama is temporarily bound by the 90s and early aughts and that this is a reflection of the zeitgeist of the time - gen Xers dissatisfied with the modern transformation of gender roles and social atomization, hoping to be seduced back into traditional relationship via humor. The rise of the hyperaware digital native generation seems to have killed the "playing along" that the RomCom genre requires.

Scott Meslow's List of Top RomComs: (I've seen 67% of the list)
1) When Harry Met Sally (1989)
2) Pretty Woman (1990)
3) Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
4) Waiting to Exhale (1995)
5) My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
6) There's Something About Mary (1998)
7) Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
8) My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
9) How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days (2003)
10) Love Actually (2003)
11) Something's Gotta Give (2003)
12) Knocked Up (2007)
13) Friends with Benefits (2011)
14) Untitled Royal Wedding Comedy [caveat - not actually a released film]
15) Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
16) To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

[Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Hollywood with Love by Scott Meslow takes a brief look into many of the Rom-Com movies we all know and love. Included are some of the most memorable and iconic films about romance. Grabbing bits from interviews with the authors, producers, and actors you get a glimpse into each of these movies. Not a lot of time is spent on one particular film, but we get a large smattering of all the good stuff. It’s a cute and informative read. It reads very academically and I was reminded of a dissertation or senior capstone, especially with the conclusion and cited materials at the end. Not a bad thing though, there’s nothing like an informed reader! All in all, a great read. A perfect Valentine's Day gift for the Rom-Com lover in your life.

~Tanja

*Thank you to Dey Street Books/William Morrow for sharing this title with me


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[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn’t watched a lot of the movies this book talked about. So before I read each chapter, I watched the movie it focused on, which was super fun. It made learning about the behind-the-scenes tidbits and the actors in each movie even more interesting. My favorite chapters were My Big Fat Greek Wedding (which I had seen before) and Four Weddings & A Funeral (which I hadn’t seen).

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal Read!!!
You will, though, want to watch Every. Single. Movie. that are mentioned during and after your reading. You've been warned.

[Elizabeth Tripp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Love. This. Book!

I. Wish. I. Wrote. This. Book!

From Hollywood with Love is both a cheerful and thoughtful examination of contemporary rom-coms. Author Scott Meslow contends – and I sincerely agree – that the genre has been grossly misunderstood and underappreciated since its inception. This heart-felt manifesto is long overdue.

Meslow’s genuine interest in rom-coms is apparent from the get-go. Each chapter is baked with love, making From Hollywood with Love a joy to read. It is also chock full of fun facts about celebrities and exciting behind-the-scenes looks. I could not get enough!

With that said, it is more than just a fun read.

Movies – including (and perhaps especially) romantic comedies – help us make sense of the world and our place in it. Meslow considers this genre with the thoughtful consideration it deserves. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by his incorporation of a racial and gender equity lens.

In short: From Hollywood with Love is a must-read for any and every pop culture fan.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Daphne (Dookaholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Para todas aquellas personas amantes de las romcoms, este libro es un must.

Desde When Harry Met Sally, a Pretty Woman, My Best Friend's Wedding, How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days, Love Actually y hasta For All the Boys I've Loved Before. Este libro de no ficción nos guía a través de la historia del género de la romcom. Del boom que tuvo en los 90 y el origen de muchísimos actores icónicos como Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan e incluso J-Lo. Pasando por una época de decadencia en los 00 en el que el concepto de amor empezó a cambiar y que coincidió con muchos cambios sociales (derechos LGBT, raciales, el hookup culture, la abolición de los roles de género, el feminismo contemporáneo, etc). Y el resurgimiento de las mismas gracias a los servicios de streaming, liderado por Netflix, en la actualidad.

Además, entre capítulo y capítulo, hay pequeños ensayos sobre actores y su filmografía en este género, ya que han sido ellos quienes lo han consagrado. En general, es un libro muy interesante lleno de anécdotas sobre los procesos de producción de cada peli como las decisiones descartadas, las opciones del reparto, breves biografías o extractos de entrevistas a cineastas y demás. Es decir, todo el behind the scenes y cómo la peli que vemos hoy llegó a ser así por una serie de decisiones, casualidades, cambios y procesos.

Es cierto que he echado en falta algún capítulo dedicado a romcoms muy queridas y famosas como 10 Things I Hate About You, Notting Hill o 13 Going on 30. Sin embargo, entiendo que el objetivo del libro es contar la historia y la evolución del género de la comedia romántica y, por ello, se han seleccionado solo aquellas que han tenido algun tipo de impacto en esta.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book really felt like eating a bowl of popcorn (nutritious but delightfully buttery popcorn).

Meslow's "From Hollywood with Love" is basically a chronicle of the rom-com movie's trials and tribulations from the late 80s to the present-ish day (ending with the Netflix summer of love and the hit "Crazy Rich Asians" romcom revival). It starts in such a perfect place, the rom-com that brings everyone (or at least a lot of people) together: When Harry Met Sally. After that chapter, we get a profile of America's Sweetheart, Meg Ryan, and what the heck happened to her career (and why??). There was a ton of stuff that, by virtue of my age, I just didn't know was going on behind the scenes when her top movies were hitting the big screen. Meslow's research really pays off, giving the reader context as to how a movie came together and how its aftermath changed the course of not just the genre but also the people who got caught up in its current.

The book follows the pattern: movie, actor, movie, actor, and so forth. The transitions are perfect, the material is fascinating, and I love that it never veers into tabloid territory but rather LOOKS at and dissects the press and media's treatment of the romantic comedy genre and its stars. There's a lot we brought to our interpretations of the movies at the time they were being released, and I loved getting a better look at the (admittedly toxic) media scene from the 2000s. In spite of all that, the book maintains an upbeat tone, like a documentary that can look at the good and the bad without much trouble.

There were definitely more movies that could have made the list (sadly, "Saving Face" didn't make the cut), but Meslow definitely points to the fact that the chapter-focused movies are only the tip of the iceberg, not the full ocean. Get ready to add things to your movie list. I'm dying to watch "Waiting to Exhale" now.

If you're a fan of movie history, romantic comedies, or even Caroline Siede's article series "When Romance Met Comedy," this is THE perfect read for you. I love all three of these things so, well, I couldn't put this book down.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dey Street Books for giving me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know so many of you are rom com book fans but what about rom com movies? Before I was a romance reader I was a romance movie watcher and this history of the rom com movie was so much fun. It goes back and highlights some of the most beloved movies of the past forty plus years and you get behind the scenes info into the making of the movies and more. It was super nostalgic and just overall a delight, there were lots of great details about some of my favorite movies that I had never heard before that made me want to rewatch asap. If you’ve been a fan of these movies from the eighties all the way up to today this was fun and left me in a good mood.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know me, you know that I’m obsessed with romcoms. Therefore, I loved everything about this book.

From Hollywood, With Love is a great balance of the classic romcoms we all know and love and some underrated titles as well. (Mentioning Just Like Heaven, Definitely Maybe, and 500 Days of Summer was such an added bonus!) I’ve walked away from this book with a greater understanding of some of my favorite movies, and a new list of romcoms to watch. Some of my favorite chapters were the ones about When Harry Met Sally, Four Weddings and A Funeral, Waiting to Exhale, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

I need more books about romantic comedy history! And I need to do another month or romcoms ASAP!

[Aislin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically a nerdy love letter to the romantic comedy. It alternates between chapters focused on specific movies and chapters focused on key actors in the genre. The content of the movie chapters is part basic summary, part trivia and behind-the-scenes information, and part analysis of its place in the genre as a whole.

I had so much fun reading this book, especially the chapters with movies I've seen and loved. When Harry Met Sally, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Crazy Rich Asians were probably my favorite chapters.

There were a few movies that I hadn't seen, so I didn't fully understand the significance of some of the analysis, but there was enough summary that I could follow the chapter.

Considering how much information is in this book, it's extremely readable. It feels friendly and entertaining rather than boring. It's full of little anecdotes and thoughts that bring it to life, as well as cute illustrations for each movie.

I don't think people who dislike romantic comedies will enjoy this very much- but on the other hand, those who love romantic comedies will devour this book. This is the type of nonfiction that is genuinely a joy to read.

When reflecting on this book, I feel that the comments regarding lack of diversity in mainstream rom-coms were too short. There was only one brief section about how heterosexual the genre is, not a full chapter. Racial diversity in rom-coms is explored in a few chapters, but the primary focus (with a few exceptions) is definitely on white movies and actors. Other types of diversity, such as disability, body size and shape, and so on were also not really addressed directly.

If topics such as the Netflix Christmas Movie Universe, running through the airport scenes: cringe or essential?, and meet cutes appeal to you, you will like this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book to review!

[Susie Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like rom-coms and I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the recent history of the rom-com in Hollywood. But, I think I wanted the book to be about 1,000 pages long and discuss more movies and more history. The time period discussed covers the time during which my children were young and growing up, so I didn’t see many of the movies included. Therefore, I have made a list of movies I missed and need to watch. I did just watch Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel in Shotgun Wedding and found many laugh out loud moments. Jennifer Lopez is excellent in taking on the “male” expectations of the wedding and taking on a tough, take charge role. The film brings on a current day edge with good stunts that freshen a rom-com story. Since Jennifer Lopez likes to make rom-coms, we hopefully will see her in this genre for quite some time.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Karen Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a NON non-fiction reader, I always dread those prompts in reading challenges. But this ended up being the perfect ‘meet-cute’ of prompt vs book vs this reluctant non-Fic reader! As an unashamed romantic, a huge fan of film journalism, inhaled film magazines in my 20s cover-to-cover, and now religiously listens to movie podcasts ‘film spotting’ and ‘the next picture show’ , I heard about this book and knew it was for me. It’s charming, gossipy behind-the-scenes stuff, about iconic rom-coms from When Harry met Sally to present day. Definitely my wheelhouse!

[Jo Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rom-Coms are such glorious comfort food and ever since I was a kid, it’s been a genre that I regularly gravitate towards. So, this book was perfect fodder for some behind the scenes-information that was fascinating and that I will definitely will be sharing in conversations :)
What Scott Meslow did really well though, was how he showed the connection between Rom-Coms and societal changes and social issues. There is so much in there that directly addresses feminism and sexism, racial biases and how queerness was and is treated in Hollywood.
There have been a lot of interesting changes in Rom-Coms and I’m really hoping that producers will seize the chance to tell new stories featuring queer and non-white leads because there is still so much untold potential to reap from. And if you look at the success of movies like Crazy Rich Asians and Love, Simon there are a lot of viewers that want to see these stories.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very stressed out that I'm the first goodreads review for this. No pressure, right?

THIS WAS DELIGHTFUL. Full disclosure: while I love movies and reading about movies, the rom com is not fully my thing. In fact, out of all the major film subjects of this book, I think I've only seen about half of them. Maybe less than half? But when I read any pop culture history/manifesto, I can detect passion and Meslow definitely has it. From Hollywood With Love was an absolute blast to read, with fun bits of trivia and things I truly didn't know.

He does a wonderful job not only pulling off what he says he'll do (chronicle the rise and fall and rise again of rom coms) but he's chosen a diverse set of movies to do the job, from the classic When Harry Met Sally to Crazy Rich Asians to ultra-modern movies for teens on Netflix. I also enjoyed the side bits about specific actors and their rom com journeys (or lack thereof).

Nitpick: I'm curious of the sources he used. At least once, he directly references an interview he had with an actor but did he do it for this book? I also know a good amount of info must have come from memoirs and other interviews with the artists involved. Because I'm an English major nerd, I think a source page would be nice.

This was so good. Thanks, NetGalley!

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it! i thought i’d have to take a white man talking about rom coms with a grain of salt but this was nuanced and i enjoyed it as a romcom girlie!!

p.s. i have a letterboxd list of every movie even tangentially mentioned in this book. i may go back and make one of just the featured romcoms / just the romcoms but this is what i got for now

https://boxd.it/j4XYu

ok actually upon revisiting, ik it’s more chick flicks than romcoms but i feel like Queen Latifah deserved an honorable mention