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| No | 38% | 54 votes | Total: 143 votes | |
| Yes | 62% | 89 votes |
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Add to FavoritesTragic romances are much better than romantic comedies because a romantic comedy doesn't show the whole lifespan of a relationship. It only shows what we, the viewers, want to see: the first flirtations and feelings of happiness with a newfound person. Then, once the protagonists get together the credit rolls. What happens to the couple in the movie? Do they live happily ever after? Is there even a happily ever after for them? You're not allowed to experience what it would be like for them to actually BE together, and that just makes the relationship superficial. It's superficial because you don't see what keeps them together, and that's what some tragic romances do.
You do see the beginning of the relationship in tragic romances, and then you begin to see the lifespan of it. You begin to see what keeps them together, what makes them want to be apart, and the general outcome of their relationship. In the end, do they stay together despite their differences? Do they fix their problems? It depends which tragic romantic movie you're watching, but most tragic romances either end bad, or with something blocking the relationship from progressing. As much as I love the wonderful feeling of the first loves developed in romantic comedies, I enjoy tragic romances more. I enjoy them more because I love seeing what keeps the couple together: the struggles they face and obstacles they have to overcome. I see that couple and I can see the bond of the two characters. If they weren't so strongly bonded or connected, then they wouldn't struggle so much to be together. That's the kind of depth found in tragic romances, whereas in romantic comedies you only get a breadth of what ties the two.
Characterization is better in tragic romances than in romantic comedies, too. In most romantic comedies you have the same rehashed style of characters. The two main characters who one or both is oblivious to the other's feelings, and the supporting characters who try to get them together. In tragic romances, you have two main characters who either meet at a chance of fate or have known each other for some time. If you watch historical tragic romances, it is their society that might keep them at a distance from one another. Sometimes you'll find that same type of obstacle in modern tragic romances, it all depends on the setting.
It's much more fullfilling to watch tragic romances than romantic comedies because in the end, tragic romances display a deeper perspective of love, rather than a shallow perspective that in my opinion, romantic comedies seem to display time and time again.
Learn more about this author, Melissa Jerez.
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Yes
I giggled when I thought about the question, "Are romantic comedies better than tragic ones?" because my first thought was not about examining films of either genres. In fact, my first thoughts turned to my fiance who is the reason that I believe romantic comedies are better than tragic ones. If I were to give my fiance the option of seeing a romantic comedy or a tragic one, he would chose a romantic comedy without even considering the other (after trying to convince me to see the latest action or adventure movie first). So, why is it that many men like my fiance would chose to watch a romantic comedy without giving a tragic one a second thought? The subject intriged me, so I thought and thought about it finally reaching my own conclusion.
When many women watch romance movies or read romance books they are sub-consciously judging the leading male in the film or novel. The men in the novels and films seem so dreamy and perfect. They are always there with open arms to comfort their girlfriends and wipe away their tears, they are attractive, they are kind and caring and chose their girlfriend above anyone else, they are just perfect. There is a charm in men that romantic media seems to fabricate. Although I believe that there are men with that charm; I don't believe in it the way that they are illustrating it. It's simply not realistic.
On the other hand, romantic comedies show us the flaws in relationships and in people. Not everything in a relationship can go perfectly, but that doesn't mean we need to cry our way through six Kleenex boxes, sometimes laughing helps. Romantic comedies play on the flaws that actually bring people closer together. A tragic romance will glamourize the first kiss or sexual experience between a couple, but it doesn't always work that way. Not being able to laugh with your partner can destroy a relationship before it even starts. Laughter is what helps relationships to flourish. As couples grow they must know how to laugh together.
If anything, a romantic comedy plays a love that is stronger and more true than that of a tragic one. Getting through rough times is terrible, but getting through everyday flaws and still loving each other is so much more beautiful. I think of the film "50 First Dates" with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Drew's character, Lucy, has lost her short term memory. Everyday she wakes up having no idea who Adam's character is but he loves her. The humour in their experience together is undeniable yet you see the extreme love they feel for each other. Adam's character creates a video that Lucy can watch every morning to know that she's married and has a beautiful child. It's so incredible and so romantic yet at the same time, the film has you laughing the entire time. That's what love is, I believe.
Thinking about this, maybe my fiance is more romantic than I had previously imagined. Maybe all men are. Maybe it's women that don't know what love is because by far romantic comedies are more romantic and enjoyable than tragic ones.
Learn more about this author, Kaye Boss.
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