Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Walter Mathau… this film is cute and fun with a great cast. But it needs more work. I.Q. Year: 1994 Written by: Andy Breckman and Michael Leeson Based on a story by: Andy Breckman Directed by: Fred Schepisi Stars: Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Walter Mathau, Lou Jacobi, Gene Saks, Joseph Maher, Stephen Fry Show notes: This month, Li…

Always Be My Maybe No notes. This is a gorgeous, funny, beautifully-performed, character-driven rom com. Always Be My Maybe Year: 2019 Written by: Ali Wong, Randall Park & Michael Golamco Directed by: Nahnatchka Khan Stars: Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau, Vivian Bang, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Dae Kim Show notes: This month Lisa an…

But what if Mr Malcolm had written a more interesting list? Mr Malcolm’s List Year: 2022 Written by: Suzanne Allain Based on the novel by: Suzanne Allain Directed by: Emma Holly Jones Stars: Zawe Ashton, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Sope Dirisu, Theo James, Freida Pinto, Ashley Park Show notes: We love this film. Seriously. Full marks for performances, se…

They are very small poops and I make sure it’s only after greens. Players Year: 2024 Written by: Whit Anderson Directed by: Trish Sie Stars: Gina Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr., Tom Ellis, Augustus Prew, Joel Courney, Liza Koshy Show notes: This very charming film gets past a somewhat gross set-up to persuade us that its lovers belong together. Good j…

Who knew Mattifer (Jenthew?) would have so much chemistry! The Wedding Planner Year: 2001 Written by: Pamela Falk and Michael Ellis Directed by: Adam Shankman Stars: Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey Show notes: This podcast is now three years old!!! To celebrate, Lisa and Charles Adrian watched J Lo and Matt McConaughey do everything they nee…

When Harry Met Sally Can men and women ever really be friends?? When Harry Met Sally Year: 1989 Written by: Nora Ephron Directed by: Rob Reiner Stars: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan Show notes: This month Lisa and Charles Adrian invite you to spend New Year with them, enjoying one of the most perfect rom coms ever made. In this episode we mention the film…

Merry & Gay You think Christmas is bad in your house?? Merry & Gay Year: 2022 Written by: Christin Baker Based on a story by: Maggie Cummings and Megan Ullrich Directed by: Christin Baker Stars: Dia Frampton, Andi René Christensen Show notes: This movie has good bones but Single All The Way deserved more from its queer sibling. Correction: we are n…

They Came Together This month we watch a fun three-minute sketch that goes on for an hour and twenty-three minutes. They Came Together Year: 2014 Written by: Michael Showalter and David Wain Directed by: David Wain Stars: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler Show notes: In this episode there are digressions into the worlds of improv and sketch comedy, whether it…

It’s Toddlers’ Choice this week on the Rom Com Rewrite! Choose Love Year: 2023 Written by: Josann McGibbon Directed by: Stuart McDonald Stars: Laura Marano, Avan Jogia, Scott Michael Foster, Jordi Webber Show notes: This rom com is interactive! Viewers get to decide what happens to our heroine! This rom com has broken our podcast. In this episode w…

Sex haze meets trauma, with private jets. Red, White & Royal Blue Year: 2023 Screenplay by: Matthew López and Ted Malawer Based on the novel by: Casey McQuiston Directed by: Matthew López Stars: Nicholas Galitzine, Taylor Zakhar Perez Show notes: This is such a gorgeous film. In this episode we mention the book Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen (1…

The Perfect Find This film is less than perfect. The Perfect Find Year: 2023 Screenplay by: Leigh Davenport Based on the book by: Tia Williams Directed by: Numa Perrier Stars: Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers Show notes: For a film that loves films, this film could work on loving itself more. The very talented stars of this film deserved better! We ge…

The Croatian tourist board did good with this one. Faraway Year: 2023 Written by: Jane Ainscough Based on a story idea by: Alex Kendall Directed by: Vanessa Jopp Stars: Naomi Krauss, Goran Bogdan Show notes: Croatia. Oh yes. In this episode, we mention the films Shirley Valentine (1989) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098319/), Under The Tuscan Sun …

This month, a message in a bottle from the dawn of the internet dating age washes up on our shore. You’ve Got Mail Year: 1998 Written by: Miklós László, Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron Directed by: Nora Ephron Stars: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan Show notes: In the third of the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks rom coms, Kathleen owns a bookshop and Joe owns a bigger bookshop. W…

This month, we respond (with love) to this love letter to South London. Rye Lane Year: 2023 Written by: Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia Directed by: Raine Allen-Miller Stars: David Jonsson, Vivian Oparah Show notes: Peckham, Brixton, Brockley Park, Camberwell Green and Bankside. This is South London, baby. In this episode, we mention the films Before Su…

This is a film starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher. Your Place Or Mine Year: 2023 Written and Directed by: Aline Brosh McKenna Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Zoe Chao, Jesse Williams Show notes: Listen, we took this film apart and, after a conversation that lasted 1 hour 20 minutes in its raw form (edited down to 50 minutes for…

Still every bit as fresh as the day that it was born, this perfectly pitched, very funny rom com is shot through with pain and rewards repeated viewing. Saving Face Year: 2004 Written and Directed by: Alice Wu Stars: Michelle Krusiec, Joan Chen, Lynn Chen Show notes: How much do we love this film? Very much. Happy Valentines! In this episode, we me…

Lindsay Lohan deserved better, frankly. Falling For Christmas Year: 2022 Screenplay by: Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver Based on a story by: Jeff Bonnett Directed by: Janeen Damian Stars: Lindsay Lohan, Chord Overstreet, George Young Show notes: Compare and despair! This bland remake of 1987’s Overboard is not good in lots of different ways. But we can…

“Yeah, but the women… they’re on holiday and suddenly the man of their dreams is knocking at the door. Like, what could be cuter?” The Holiday Year: 2006 Written and Directed by: Nancy Meyers Stars: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach Show notes: Have you ever thought to yourself: I quite like The Holiday but Miles should …

This November, the gays get their say. Bros Year: 2022 Written by: Billy Eichner, Nicholas Stoller Director: Nicholas Stoller Stars: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane Fire Island Year: 2022 Written by: Joel Kim Booster Director: Andrew Ahn Stars: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully Show notes: “Happy ending… rom c…

This month, Lisa and Charles Adrian compare and contrast two jungle-based adventure rom coms. Romancing The Stone Year: 1984 Written by: Diane Thomas, Lem Dobbs, Howard Franklin, Treva Silverman Director: Robert Zermeckis Stars: Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito The Lost City Year: 2022 Screenplay by: Oren Uziel, Dana Fox, Adam Nee, Aa…

It’s still wedding season! This month we look at a desi take on the wedding-based rom com. But how desi is it? And, frankly, how wedding-based? Wedding Season Year: 2022 Written by: Shiwani Srivastava Director: Tom Dey Stars: Pallavi Sharda, Suraj Sharma Show notes: In this episode, we (and our desi co-watchers, through us) weigh in on whether or n…

The first of three (3) films to star Rock Hudson, Doris Day and Tony Randall, Lisa and Charles Adrian chew over whether Pillow Talk can be said to have succeeded on its own terms. Pillow Talk Year: 1959 Screenplay by: Stanley Shapiro and Maurice Richlin Based on a story by: Russell Rouse and Clarence Greene Director: Michael Gordon Stars: Rock Huds…

Whom amongst us has not carried a watermelon? Content note for this episode: Roe v. Wade, abortion, bodily autonomy, reproductive justice. Dirty Dancing Year: 1987 Written by: Eleanor Bergstein Director: Emile Ardolino Stars: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey Show notes: With one of the most iconic meet-cutes in the history of cinema, some serious obst…

One of these films is better than the other. Boomshakalaka. The Wedding Year Year: 2019 Screenplay by: Donald Diego Director: Robert Luketic Stars: Sarah Hyland, Tyler James Williams Plus One Year: 2019 Written and directed by: Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer Stars: Jack Quaid, Maya Erskine Show notes: June is the beginning of big-time wedding season i…

You have to put your own oxygen mask on first, folks. That’s just how it is. I Want You Back Year: 2022 Written by: Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger Director: Jason Orley Stars: Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto, Clark Backo Show notes: This six-some reel of a film feels simultaneously up-to-date and out of t…

It takes all sorts to make the lesbian nation. Thank goodness. Go watch this film! Stud Life Year: 2012 Written by: Campbell Ex Director: Campbell Ex Stars: T’Nia Miller, Kyle Treslove, Robyn Kerr Show notes: In a world where MySpace is still a thing, JJ, Seb and Elle work out their various issues in this British indie that might or might not be a …

“All I can think is… what a misuse of the wonderful Queen Latifah.” Lisa Findley “Cry emoji, cry emoji, cry emoji.” Charles Adrian Just Wright Year: 2010 Written by: Michael Elliot Director: Sanaa Hamri Stars: Queen Latifah, Common Show notes: We cannot in all conscience recommend this film, although Queen Latifah is wonderful in it. And other peop…

Lisa and Charles Adrian round off their holiday season with one of the most beloved rom coms ever made. Which, they decide, might not actually be a rom com. This episode was not supposed to be a take down of Sleepless In Seattle but that is what it has turned into. Sorry not sorry. Sleepless In Seattle Year: 1993 Screenplay by: Nora Ephron, David S…

Lisa and Charles Adrian’s extended Christmas season continues with a Netflix-produced, gay-themed, family-focused rom com. Single All The Way Year: 2021 Written by: Chad Hodge Director: Michael Mayer Stars: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers Show notes: Is there to be no end to these excellent Christmas rom coms? Spoilers be damned, we loved this gay …

While You Were Sleeping This month, Lisa and Charles Adrian give themselves an early Christmas present. While You Were Sleeping Year: 1995 Screenplay by: Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow Director: Jon Turtletaub Stars: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher Show notes: While You Were Sleeping is one of Lisa’s favourite films; she has wat…

Surely designed to make you want to go to Mauritius, Lisa and Charles Adrian find that this month’s rom com is a lot more than just an advertising feature. Resort To Love Year: 2021 Screenplay by: Tabi McCartney and Dana Schmalenberg Based on a story by: Tabi McCartney Director: Steven K. Tsuchida Stars: Christina Milian, Jay Pharoah, Sinqua Walls,…

For this month’s episode, long-time listener first-time caller Liz Bailey joins Lisa and Charles Adrian from Cardiff for a wide-ranging discussion about the first film in the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan cinematic universe. Joe Versus The Volcano Year: 1990 Screenplay by: John Patrick Shanley Director: John Patrick Shanley Stars: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan Show not…

It is August, which is supposed to be summertime in the UK (where we record from), so Lisa and Charles Adrian have picked a sunny rom com for this month’s episode. If you haven’t seen this film, don’t read any further! Don’t listen to this episode yet! Watch the film! Enjoy the surprises! Then come back to read on and listen. You will thank us. Pal…

In a mini-episode, Lisa reads a brief piece on why The Proposal is one of the unfunniest, cruelest rom coms out there -- not the mild romp it’s meant to be. Year: 2009 Writer: Peter Chiarelli Director: Anne Fletcher Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson Show notes: In this episode, Lisa reads a short e…

This month, Lisa and Charles Adrian look into the novel and surprising concept of ‘sex friends’ as it is explored in two films from ten years ago. Friends With Benefits Year: 2011 Screenplay by: Keith Merryman, David A. Newman and Will Gluck Based on a story by: Harley Peyton, Keith Merryman and David A. Newman Director: Will Gluck Stars: Justin Ti…

Lisa and Charles Adrian love June Diane Raphael, Lisa Kudrow and also, to a large extent, the Charlize Theron/Seth Rogen vehicle that is Long Shot. Those are the main take-aways from this episode. Year: 2019 Writers: Dan Sterling and Liz Hannah Based on a story by: Dan Sterling Director: Jonathan Levine Stars: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, June Dian…

Lisa and Charles Adrian stumble upon a real fixer-upper in this week’s film, Failure To Launch. Year: 2006 Writers: Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember Director: Tom Dey Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Terry Bradshaw, Kathy Bates, Tyrel Jackson Williams Show notes: Note: We record these epis…

Lisa and Charles Adrian get into the Netflix-produced modern classic To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Year: 2018 Writer: Sofia Alvarez Based on the novel by: Jenny Han Director: Susan Johnson Stars: Lara Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Andrew Bachelor, Trezzo Mahoro, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Israel Broussard, John C…

While Page One continues its ever-extending mid-season break, Charles Adrian has popped back onto the mic to let listeners know about a podcast he is making with Lisa Findley called The Rom Com Rewrite. Rom com fans everywhere can find it on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4D3CW2TnT1tIRorlbqp2kF) and Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.co…

Lisa and Charles Adrian kick off The Rom Com Rewrite in time for Valentines Day by talking about the (now) classic rom com 10 Things I Hate About You. Year: 1999 Writers: Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith Director: Gil Junger Stars: Heath Ledger, Julia Styles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Larisa Oleynik (also mentioned in this episode: David Krumholtz, …

Searching for Mx Right! Lisa and Charles Adrian LOVE rom coms but they have some suggestions. In each episode, they choose a film, take it lovingly apart and put it back together better. Warning: this podcast is all spoilers all the time! The Rom Com Rewrite is a new podcast from Lisa Findley and Charles Adrian.…

Taking another break from revisiting the books that he has been given by guests on the podcast, Charles Adrian revisits instead what he said in the previous episode about Scottish Country Dancing and talks about three books that he has very much enjoyed. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pageonepodcast.com/ Correcti…

Marked as explicit because of strong language. Speaking minutes after he had finished recording the previous episode of the podcast, Charles Adrian revisits the last books that were given to him by guests on the 4th season of the podcast. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pageonepodcast.com/. You can find informatio…

Marked as explicit because of derogatory language. Fleeing from hammering and drilling sounds coming through the wall, Charles Adrian talks about books that were given to him towards the end of the fourth season of his podcast. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pageonepodcast.com/. You can find a handy primer on the…

Taking the time to indulge in some discussion of both the Gunpowder Plot and the differences between climbing and bouldering, Charles Adrian starts off the UK’s second national lockdown with three more books from guests on the podcast. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pageonepodcast.com/. A description of the Gunpo…

Marked as explicit because of strong language. Still living in a Tier 2 city, Charles Adrian talks about three slim books, all of which feature characters who are children. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pageonepodcast.com/. You can read about The Good Immigrant on Nikesh Shukla’s website here: http://www.nikesh-…

Talking about two books he remembers very little about and the only book he was given twice, Charles Adrian continues his journey through the books from Season 4 of his podcast and reminisces about a trip to Japan. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pageonepodcast.com/. Correction: Tier 3 of the new restrictions that…

Continuing to feed his own preoccupation with the poem Swimmer by Dennis Cooper, which he has already talked about in both Page One 185 and Page One 186, Charles Adrian hones in on the lines: “Monday Dave calls me/ at a party” and attempts to reconstruct their historical context. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pa…

Marked as explicit because of extensive discussion of death and suicide. Content note: there is a lot of talk of death and suicide in this episode. If you are in the UK and would like to talk to someone in confidence, you can reach Switchboard LGBT at https://switchboard.lgbt/ or by phone on 0300 330 0630, and you can reach the Samaritans at https:…

Marked as explicit because of sexual imagery. Beginning with a brief cloudburst and a coda to the previous episode designed to calm Charles Adrian’s esprit d’escalier, the 28th Page One In Review goes on to look at the first five books from the fourth season of the podcast. More information and a transcript of this episode is at http://www.pageonep…