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This week is a double dose of nostalgia on You Had Me At Hello: both for this 1998 rom-com classic that sparked the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore chemistry that continues today and for the bright colors and great music of the 1980s. Though it was released during Peak Sandler — the mid-late nineties that saw the releases of Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, and Big Daddy — The Wedding Singer stands out as the perfect blend of Sandler’s dramatic capabilities mixed with his signature Sandlerisms (“Woopie-de-doo!”). Fixed with a killer soundtrack (New Order!), one of the best romantic scenes in rom-com history (Billy Idol), genuine chemistry (they are so cute), and lots of memorable lines (“My parents died when I was ten, would you like to talk about that next?”), The Wedding Singer is a treat, even 19 years later. Further reading:

We’ve run into this situation a few times so far on this podcast, where we revisit a “classic” of the genre with great concern that what we’ll find is a movie that doesn’t quite hold up. Whether it’s misogynistic or homophobic or a combination of things, it’s always hard to revisit a movie that you loved as a kid only to discover that, hey, maybe it’s kind of fucked up now that you’re an adult and know better. Thankfully, despite some occasional icky-ness, we agree that Overboard mostly holds up. There are some parts that made Joey squirm, but in general the Russell/Hawn dynamic is so charming and the characters so likable that it’s hard not to enjoy it. Plus, there are just some damn good jokes.

Probably best known for his tough guys like Tony Soprano in The Sopranos or enforcer Virgil in True Romance, the late James Gandolfini’s final starring role was totally unexpected. Sensitive and funny, Gandolfini’s Albert pairs perfectly with Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Eva, who also gets to go beyond her usual cutting sarcasm and explore a wider range of emotions as a divorcee looking for love, caught between a new beau and a new friend. Amanda and Joey had differing opinions on Catherine Keener’s Mary-Anne (though Keener is a gem), but overall they agree that this is a modern romance classic and a reminder that we lost Gandolfini far too young. (more…)

The conversation veers towards crying cues, the importance of representation in Hollywood, movies other than the Big Sick, and the perseverance of John Wick. Because The Big Sick is based on the story of a real-life, very much still married couple, Joey and Amanda did not, in fact, speculate about whether these two would stand the test of time. We’re guessing the movie’s critical and box office success will only help.

Directed by Anne Fletcher of 27 Dresses fame, The Proposal is one of Joey’s favorite mid-grade rom-coms and a movie that Amanda had seen, but allegedly forgot about until Sandra Bullock’s shamanistic dancing to Lil Jon brought it all back. A frigid editor-in-chief convinces her executive assistant to be her sham fiance in order to avoid deportation and antics and love ensue — with cute pups, Betty White, and Coach/Mr. Incredible to boot. Further reading on The Proposal:

La-di-da. I lurff you. Let’s just kiss now and get it over with. Annie Hall is full of nostalgia: Joey reminisces about film school, Kate describes her own celebrity encounter and too much time is spent discussing Amanda’s driving. (more…)

This week, Joey and Amanda watched 13 Going on 30. Amanda can’t say the word “naivete,” and Joey ponders the ethics of disclosing your magical time-travel experience to your partner. Being 13 is either the best or the worst, depending on who you ask, and it’s agreed that for better parties everyone should know the dance to Thriller. (more…)

Joey and Amanda watch It’s Complicated, and contemplate the certainty of their future, whether Meryl Streep and Steve Martin will elope in Ireland, and whether having a cafe/catering business is indeed profitable. Copious tears were shed leading up to this recording. But also, so many people in this movie have been in so many other cool things! Further reading:

Joey is hugely offended when Kirsten (Gabrielle Union) guts the apartment she shares with Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) of all his nerd stuff. Amanda relates to changing her behavior to find the kind of lasting relationship she wanted, ie, not being introduced as “a friend.” (more…)

Amanda enjoyed the expletives, Joey enjoyed the structure. And the end montage leaves little to the imagination as to whether Carrie and Charles live happily ever after–luckily settled into their lives before Trump, before Brexit. Further Reading: 26 of the first 45 words

            But writer/star Jason Segel is a relatable, flawed lead opposite both Kristen Bell as the titular Sarah Marshall, and Mila Kunis, the babely customer service lady; Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a gem. Not only because it’s the first taste of Jason Segel’s Muppet obsession, but it’s a sad break-up movie with a hilarious all-star cast that will keep you laughing and maybe even crying. Joey and Amanda try to guess which of them is the bigger sad sack, and Amanda needs more information about Rachel’s (Mila Kunis) plans for going back to college before she can decide whether Rachel and Peter stay together. 10/10 would recommend watching again.

Released in 1989, Say Anything follows two unlikely lovebirds the summer after they graduate high school. In this episode, they discuss how not wanting sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career is a worthwhile attitude, and basically the pathos of every aspiring writer. Amanda drops a truth-bomb on Joey about Lloyd and his platonic BFF Corey, and they both agree it was highly inappropriate for Bebe Neuwirth’s character to show up at that high school party. (more…)

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days director Donald Petrie, who also made generally liked movies like Miss Congeniality, Grumpy Old Men and Mystic Pizza, couldn’t wrangle his three screenwriters to interpret the source material into a workable script, and the result is a garbage movie that somehow seems to be gaining in popularity in recent years. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey star as alliterated Andie Anderson and Benjamin Barry, and while they’re charming and at times funny, their performances were not quite enough to save this poor, sad movie, riddled with

Released in 1987, both Cher and Olympia Dukakis took home Academy Awards for their performances in Moonstruck. It’s a film that was always on in the Esposito home, and although this was Amanda’s first viewing, she agrees it’s an absolute classic. Joey and Amanda discuss Joey’s flashbacks to his grandparents’ house, the effortless charm of John Mahoney, and the culpability of Johnny Cammareri

Released in 2008, 27 Dresses — a woman-directed, woman-written film — may not have dazzled critics, but Amanda related big time to the two major storylines: sister-on-sister conflict and falling in love with a writer. She and Joey discuss the career decisions of Jane and Kevin, how terrible this New York Journal thing is, and reminisce about their own private elopement. It’s agreed that a dive bar in the back woods of Rhinebeck, NY is a great place to destroy the lyrics to “Benny and the Jets” and fall for someone.

This week on You Had Me at Hello, Joey and Amanda watch the modern classic, Norah Ephron’s You’ve Got Mail, and toast Kathleen and Joe with 152 Insights, our special cocktail of the week. This movie has everything: the Cranberries, Parker Posey, internet dates, mistaken identities, broken hearts, New York City, capitalism and a cute

  In their first public audio recording, meet the hosts of You Had Me at Hello, Amanda Pleau and Joey Esposito, as they dig into romantic comedies. In this snippet, they explain their new show full of themed cocktails, tears, and speculation on the longevity of rom-com couples. Amanda and Joey, writers at heart, were inspired by their nightly and weekly discussions of films, television and other podcasts and decided to put a modicum more effort into this endeavor and record!