Top Romantic Comedy Movie DVD Releases for January 2011

Dec 25, 2010
Leslie C. Halpern

Ever After on Blu-ray - Copyright 2010 20th Century Fox

Drew Barrymore, Robin Wright, Amy Ryan, and Kate Winslet star in this month's best new romantic comedies on DVD and Blu-ray.

January’s selection of romantic comedies transports us on journeys long ago and far away (Ever After, The Princess Bride) to the here and now (Jack Goes Boating, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). However, only Philip Seymour Hoffman’s directorial debut Jack Goes Boating enjoyed a recent theatrical release. The other selected releases represent Blu-ray editions of older romantic comedy favorites.

Ever After (Blu-ray)

This delightful version of the Cinderella story from 1998 features a strong-willed maiden named Danielle who works, plots, and fights to save herself from her abusive stepmother following the death of her father. Forced to live as a servant for her stepmother and two stepsisters, Danielle (while in disguise) secretly develops a relationship with the handsome Prince Henry, which undermines her stepmother’s own plans for matching her ill-tempered daughter with the eligible Prince.

Starring Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Patrick Godfrey, Jeroen Krabbe, Megan Dodds, Melanie Lynskey, Timothy West, Judy Parfitt, Jeanne Moreau
Director: Andy Tennant
Writers: Susannah Grant, Andy Tennant, Rick Parks
Genre: Fantasy Romantic Comedy
Discs: 1
Run Time: 121 minutes
Rating: PG (for brief language and mild thematic elements)
DVD Release Date: January 4, 2011

The Princess Bride (Blu-ray)

This classic fairy tale romance from 1987 tells the story of a beautiful young woman in love with a poor farm boy, but engaged to marry a prince. This isn’t Prince Charming by any means, but a cowardly, conniving prince who rules the land. The farm boy goes off to make his fortune while the woman has no choice but to follow her destiny, even if it leads to becoming the future Princess Buttercup Humperdinck. True love, sword fights, chases through the high seas and up steep cliff sides combine with clever dialogue to make The Princess Bride a romantic comedy masterpiece.

Starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon, Andre the Giant, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal, Peter Cook
Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: William Goldman
Genre: Fantasy Romantic Comedy Adventure
Discs: 1
Run Time: 98 minutes
Rating: PG (for some violence)
DVD Release Date: January 4, 2011
Additional Information: Click here to read Reasons to Love The Princess Bride.

Jack Goes Boating (Widescreen)

Adapted from a stage play, this Jack Goes Boating examines two socially awkward singles who struggle with a romantic relationship. He’s a reggae-loving limo driver and she’s an emotionally damaged woman working at a funeral home. As their relationship blooms, the marriage of their best friends seems to wither. Set in New York during the winter, this film features a strong sense of time and place.

Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Tom McCarthy, Richard Petrocelli, Isaac Schinazi
Director: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Writer: Bob Glaudini
Genre: Romantic Comedy Drama
Discs: 1
Run Time: 91 minutes
Rating: R (for language, drug use, and some sexual content)
DVD Release Date: January 18, 2011
Additional Information: Click here to watch a trailer for Jack Goes Boating.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Blu-ray)

From 2004, this bizarre romantic comedy goes deep inside the memories from a man’s tortured love affair. Joel Barish can’t get over the breakup with his last girlfriend, so enlists the aid of a doctor (and his inept assistants) who can erase all memories associated with the woman. Underneath the comedy and complicated layers of memory, viewers will get a touching look at the nature of love.

Starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Jane Adams, David Cross, Thomas Jay Ryan
Director: Michael Gondry
Writers: Charlie Kaufman (screenplay and story); Michael Gondry, Pierre Bismuth (story)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Discs: 1
Run Time: 108 minutes
Rating: R (for language, some drug, and sexual content)
DVD Release Date: January 25, 2011