Interview: ‘Falling In Love At The Movies’ Author Esther Zuckerman

Maybe you’re not a fan of raunchy rom-coms or John Hughes movies. Maybe you’re more of a Harold and Maude than a 27 Dresses. Whatever the case may be, reading Esther Zuckerman‘s Falling in Love at the Movies was a reminder that there’s a rom-com out there for every viewer. For more on Zuckerman’s book, check out this interview with the author below:

Rachel Bellwoar: Having written books about Internet Boyfriends and Oscar fashion, what made you choose rom-coms as your next subject?

Esther Zuckerman: As I write in the intro of the book, rom-coms have always been a crucial part of my love of film in general so when I was discussing what my next project would be with my publisher it seemed like a natural fit.

Bellwoar: Instead of going in chronological order, Falling in Love At the Movies makes a point of showing how many modern rom-coms can trace their roots to earlier films. Did you always want to mix up eras instead of giving readers the option to skip around?

Zuckerman: I just think it makes for a more interesting read! It also allows readers to better understand how the genre has evolved throughout time. For instance, those who might only know rom-coms from Nora Ephron, it will hopefully allow them to see how her work was influenced by earlier artists.

Bellwoar: While some connections are widely known, like You’ve Got Mail being a remake of The Shop Around the Corner, others might not be as obvious, like Gary Marshall — director of Pretty Woman — also being responsible for directing The Princess Diaries and a number of the big holiday ensemble films. What do you think is gained from learning about these connections?

Zuckerman: That one I would say is pretty well known! But I did want to compare new stars to old so readers get a sense of the genre’s history and how certain types reappear over time.

Bellwoar: One pattern you see emerge is how many of the great directors of rom-coms started out as screenwriters, like Preston Sturges and Billy Wilder. Do you think that background in writing is a huge advantage?

Zuckerman: Yes. A rom-com is only as good as its writing because romantic chemistry is only enhanced by how people communicate and that relies on dialogue.

Bellwoar: At the end of the book, you talk about some of the films you personally fell in love with over the course of writing this book, like Claudine and A Foreign Affair. Was there a master list you created of films you wanted to get to for the purpose of this project or was it all pretty organic?

Zuckerman: Organic!

Bellwoar: There seems to be a tendency to dismiss rom-coms as chick flicks or low brow entertainment. When do you think that change in opinion came about or has it always been that way and it’s only more recently that we started seeing older rom-coms, like To Be Or Not to Be and My Man Godfrey, as more sophisticated?

Zuckerman: No. It Happened One Night won best picture. Seeing rom-coms as a lesser genre is a more recent development.

Bellwoar: Sometimes books avoid criticism, but I appreciated your honesty in sharing some opinions, like preferring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant vehicles to her films with Spencer Tracey. I personally agree, but do you have any other “controversial” rom-com takes?

Zuckerman: Sleepless in Seattle is my least favorite of the Nora Ephron rom-coms.

Bellwoar: While there might not be as many Blockbuster rom-coms being produced these days, they seem to be going strong on TV and streaming. Do you think that’s the current arena for rom-coms?

Zuckerman: Yes. I write a little bit about this in the conclusion.

Bellwoar: Unlike TV shows, though, movies can end and not have to deal with the aftermath of sweeping romantic gestures. Do you think that’s a major reason rom-coms are able to retain their magic?

Zuckerman: Yes, but note the chapter on the not so happily ever after. Not all rom-coms have happy endings.

Bellwoar: If you could advocate for one underseen rom-com, which would you choose?

Zuckerman: The More the Merrier.

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Esther!

Falling in Love at the Movies: Rom-Coms from the Screwball Era to Today is on sale now from Running Press.