Over the past few years, there has been an interest among filmmakers to explore the “anti-romantic comedy.” Though audiences may still favor sappy, cheesy, Nicholas Sparks-style romances (The Vow opened to $41 million, people), the romantic comedy is a struggling genre both critically and financially (see New Year’s Eve). Instead, intelligent filmmakers have opted to tell the stories of what happens when love does not conquer all. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Revolutionary Road and Blue Valentine all reached critical and slight commercial success due to their honest interpretations of the hardships of being in a relationship. However, this genre is not at all new. Cornell Cinema will be screening the über-sad 1997 Chinese film, Happy Together, directed by master filmmaker Wong-Kar Wai. Its brilliance will make you want to get a refund from whatever crappy romantic comedy you saw this month (again … *cough* … The Vow).
Original Author: Jason Goldberg