10 actors who are surprisingly good in rom-coms

Romcoms tend to go for the same kinds of actors, so it’s refreshing to see a new face in the genre, especially one that fans would never have expected. This could be when a dramatic actor tries out their comedy skills, or when a different type of comedian fancies themselves as a romantic lead. The humor of romcoms is a strange genre, so cynical or overly crude comedians don’t often fit the bill.

Given all the tropes that define the genre, it’s a pleasant surprise to see romcoms that shake things up. One of the easiest ways to do this is by casting an unexpected actor. This immediately gives a romcom a hook that can help it stand out from the competition, as fans are keen to see how the actor can blend their style with the format of a romcom. While this can be disastrous, it can also yield some surprisingly positive results.

10

Adam Sandler

The Wedding Singer (1998)

Adam Sandler’s signature brand of comedy has always relied on slapstick, profanity and anger. However, he also showed that he could be a wonderful romantic lead, starting with 1998’s The wedding singer. Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore make a delightful coupleAnd they together for two more movies after the wedding singer, 50 first dates And Blended.

Sandler is known for his overgrown man-child characters, like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore, so it’s refreshing to see him put a twist on those roles. His character in The wedding singer Is still emotionally stunted and quick to anger, but he has a lot more heart. Barrymore was the perfect choice to play opposite Sandler, as she can easily adapt to his comedic style while still being a more conventional romcom star.

9

Kristen Stewart

Happiest Season (2020)

The early years of Kristen Stewart’s career were dominated by the Twilight franchise, but since she’s moved on from the young-adult vampire movies, she’s continued to star in more interesting dramatic roles. Stewart earned an Oscar nomination for spencer, And she recently received positive reviews for her performance in Love reads bleeding. However, one of her most surprising performances comes in Hulu’s Christmas romcom Happiest Season.

in the best time Stewart plays a woman who has to keep her relationship a secret while visiting her girlfriend’s family for Christmas. She gets a rare opportunity to show off her comic timing, and Her performance suggests that she should consider more comedy roles in the future. Happiest season Takes a simple premise and spins it into a series of comedic misunderstandings and social blunders. Stewart is perfectly awkward throughout.

8

Liam Nissen

Love Actually (2003)

Richard Curtis proved that he was a master of romcoms with hits like Four weddings and a funeral And Notting Hill. Love actually was his most ambitious project yet, using the quirks of the genre to depict all kinds of love. Love actually It has a large ensemble cast, which it uses to tell several loosely interconnected stories about romance, familial love and friendship.

Although Love actually Has some of Richard Curtis’ romcom regulars like Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, there are also some more unexpected performers. Liam Neeson sheds his action-star persona for a tender and relatable performance Like a sad widower who tries to counsel his son through his first love. He develops a charming on-screen relationship with a young Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

7

Emilia Clarke

Last Christmas (2019)

With her role as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of ThronesEmilia Clarke became one of Hollywood’s go-to actors for roles like fairly strong women. She played similarly fighting characters in Solo: A Star Wars Story And Terminator Genisys. Just when it seemed as if she might have a post-Game of Thrones Career as an action star, she surprised many by starring in the holiday romcom Last Christmas.

Although Last Christmas Receiving mixed reviews, critics were mostly positive about Clarke’s performance alongside Henry Golding. She displays an unexpected knack for comedy in Last Christmas, Which is surprising given how many dramatic roles she has played before. Last Christmas has more than its fair share of eye-rolling moments, especially with its big twist, but Clarke’s performance makes her character instantly likable.

6

Jack Nicholson

As Good As It Gets (1997)

Although he is one of the best actors of his generation, Jack Nicholson did not play very many comedic roles throughout his career. Even when he did, he was usually a villain, or he was playing up his villainous persona. Although this style of comedy is not normally appropriate for a leading man in a romcom, As good as it gets is not a typical romcom. Nicholson won an Oscar for his portrayal of a misanthropic novelist.

As good as it gets is one of Jack Nicholson’s best moviesAlthough it marked a departure from his typical style. The script allows him to do what he does best, so he’s full of cynicism and snark even in the thick of a truly touching love story. Nicholson struck Rocom Gold once again in 2003 something’s got to give, A slightly more traditional story with romcom icon Diane Keaton.

5

Kumail Nanjiani

The Big Sick (2017)

The big sick Takes inspiration from Kumail Nanjiani’s own life. He wrote the script with his wife Emily W. Gordon based their own love story, so Nanjiani was obviously the best man for the role, even if he’s not a typical romcom star. Nanjiani’s humor is usually more awkward and self-deprecating. The big sick is an atypical romcom, so Nanjiani doesn’t have to change what makes him so funny.

Nanjiani shows an impressive emotional depth in the great sick, But he balances it well with his humor. His dynamic with Ray Romano is a joy to watch. Romano plays the father of Nanjiani’s hospitalized love interest, and his skeptical assessment of the new man in his daughter’s life gives way to a familial bantering relationship between the two men. Nanjiani bends the genre to his own sensibility.

4

Ali Wong

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Before always be my maybe, Ali Wong’s acting roles were few and far between. She has several notable voice-acting roles to her credit, but she is mostly known as a stand-up comedian. She and Randall Park still produce a charming and hilarious romcom, bringing the comedic chemistry they developed working together on Fresh off the boat In always be my maybe.

Wong and Park write their characters to suit their comedic sensibilities. Park’s Marcus is a laidback goofball who probably needs to take his life a little more seriously, and Wong’s Sasha is a more neurotic character who needs to get her priorities straight. Netflix has a patchy record with original comedy moviesHowever Always be my maybe should be considered a win for the streaming platform, and Wong’s performance is a key factor.

3

Lebron James

Trainwreck (2015)

Judd Apatow’s movies helped define raunchier, R-rated romcoms in the 21st century. With a script written by Amy Schumer, Trainwreck Flips the genre on its head in more ways than one. Schumer herself was an unlikely romcom star at the time, as was her on-screen love interest Bill Hader. Both actors have more success with different styles of comedy. Trainwreck is an unorthodox romcom, and nothing is more unorthodox than the role of ​​LeBron James.

LeBron James plays a fictionalized version of himself in train coat, And he has the role of the leading man’s best friend. This is a standard romcom trope, but this character archetype is usually just a sounding board for the leading man to voice his feelings, or a more adjusted character who can offer advice. Since LeBron James is impossible to relate to, he is not very useful in any way. He buys into the self-deprecating joke, and he’s surprisingly funny in his scenes with Bill Hader.

2

Rebel Wilson

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

Isn’t it romantic? It sells itself as a satirical take on romcoms, but it also shows reverence for the inherent optimism and joy of the genre. While Rebel Wilson’s deadpan, unimpressed persona is perfect for spoofing other movies, she’s a less likely actor to deal with Isn’t it romantic?It’s more serious sentimental moments. Isn’t it romantic? Questions the idea of ​​what a typical romantic lead in a movie is supposed to look like, and why.

The casting of Rebel Wilson is deliberately eye-catching, since Isn’t it romantic?‘s preoccupation would make no sense with a more traditional romcom star. Her character represents the women who don’t see themselves represented in the genre, and she questions why it should be that way. finally, Isn’t it romantic? provides a happy ending for the masses, but this is with the message that the empty fantasies of the romcom genre have real effects on the audience.

1

Jack Black

The Holiday (2006)

Jack Black has always shown a flair for big, expressive performances, both as a musician with Tenacious D and in his film roles. School of Cancer, Tropic Thunder And Nacho Libre All showcase his hilarious comedy chops without much subtlety to his performances. This may make him seem like an unlikely romcom star, as the genre generally uses more relatable characters, but The holiday Shows that Black has the ability to do things down.

Jack Black’s performance in The holiday is not as splashy as some of his other comedy movies, but it still unmistakably builds off of his goofy slacker persona. The holiday allows the audience to see him in a completely new way by showing just how aware he is of his own appeal. He and Kate Winslet make one of the most unlikely couples in any romcom, but their conflicting personalities work wonders in The holidays culture-clash comedy.