Book Review: Hollywood with Love by Scott Meslow

My Rating:

4.5⭐

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!