Dear Author: Romance Novel Reviews, Industry News, and Commentary

Sabrina (1954)
Sabrina – either B&W or color (The Centennial Collection)
Genre – Romance

This is the version I first saw and the one I fell in love with. When the 1995 version was released, I watched it but didn’t initially care for it as much though I’ve come to appreciate it for itself. However, when I think of the title “Sabrina,” it’s the Audrey Hepburn edition that immediately comes to mind.

It’s a simple Cinderella plot. Sabrina, the daughter of the chauffeur of the ridiculously wealthy Larrabee family, has been in love with the younger son of the family for years. David’s a young, handsome playboy who’s been married three times, has a different date each night and who barely even remembers that Sabrina lives on the estate. It’s not that he’s mean or cruel, it’s just that she’s not in his social circle or as sophisticated as the women he’s used to dating.

In an attempt to break her of her infatuation, Sabrina’s father sends her to cooking school in Paris. Two years later she returns, a well dressed, polished and sophisticated young woman. She and David meet at the train station and he, not recognizing her, offers her a lift home. …

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My Man Godfrey (1935)
My Man Godrey – The Criterion Collection
Genre: Screwball Comedy

When I see a film described as a screwball comedy, it’s usually my cue to run away, far, far away. So many try to achieve screwball status and so few succeed. I think maybe because they try too hard. Here director Gregory La Cava makes it look effortless.

It’s the height of the Great Depression and we get to see both sides of the coin. The film opens with a scavenger hunt which Irene Bullock (leading lady Carole Lombard) tells Godfrey Smith/Parke (leading man William Powell) is about people looking for things which aren’t wanted. In this case, it’s the men living in the City Dump. Cornelia Bullock (Gail Patrick) and her useless swain arrive there looking for a “forgotten man.” Cornelia spies Godfrey and insultingly asks him if he wants to earn $5.00. Godfrey not only turns her down, he backs her into an ash heap. Thus beginning their film long clashes.

Irene watches this then gleefully tells Godfrey she’s always wanted to do that. After speaking with him and learning about the desperate men trying to stay alive here, she offers sympathy. Learning that she’s got a chance to …

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Film review: Down With Love (2001) & Strictly Ballroom (1992)
Grade: B- & B+
Genre: Romantic comedy

Dear Readers,

It hasn’t been a good week.

A DVD I bought from an online shop for this week’s review – a Cary Grant/Doris Day film – has a scratch, which rendered it unplayable. I went to a local DVD rental shop next day and rented a Marlene Dietrich/Gary Cooper film. I got home and found there was, unbelievably, a scratch on DVD. I took it back and the rental shop was closed. My mood simply nose-dived. This happened after work on Wednesday.

I was thinking of reviewing one of old favourites (Strictly Ballroom, 10 Things I Hate About You, Down With Love, David & Layla, and The Fifth Element) when Nikki lent me her DVD, Across the Universe (2007), which I hadn’t seen. She urged me to watch it because it’s one of most romantic films she had seen.

After the film ended, I tried to write a review but was having a serious mental block. This happened Thursday evening.

No problem, I thought while keeping growing panic at bay, because I can watch anything and whip up a review easily enough. I pulled out Down With …

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