Thomas Brodie-Sangster Says Rom-Coms Have Lost Their Spark
Thomas Brodie-Sangster, known for his role in Love Actually, reflects on why romantic comedies just aren’t what they used to be, pointing to the pre-smartphone era and the impact of streaming platforms.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who charmed audiences as a youngster in the 2003 festive favourite Love Actually, has shared his thoughts on the state of romantic comedies today. The actor, who played the stepson of Liam Neeson's character, reckons the golden days of the genre are well behind us, belonging to a time before everyone had a smartphone glued to their hand.
Looking Back at Simpler Times
In a recent chat, Brodie-Sangster reflected on what made those earlier films stand out.
“It was a kind of simpler time, and maybe that is more romantic. And there were some greats, like Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron, who did some brilliant stuff in the ‘90s: When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, they’re just brilliant films.”
He pointed out that these classics captured something special, a feeling that seems to have faded in more recent years.
Streaming and the Rush to Keep Up
The actor suggested that the shift towards streaming services has changed the game for rom-coms. With big-budget blockbusters dominating the box office, he said,
“So [rom-coms] are more reserved for the streamers, perhaps, and maybe that’s changed the budgeting and the scale that they can do.”
He noted that when there’s a push to churn out more content, quality can sometimes take a hit, even if that’s not always the case.
Brodie-Sangster observed that many new romantic comedies feel hurried, as writers and producers try to capture whatever’s trending before punters move on to the next big thing.
“They get greenlit for a certain period of time. Then they just have to send out whatever they’ve got to get some attention. And so often it’s just not very good.”
Hoping for a Comeback
Despite his criticisms, Brodie-Sangster hasn’t given up hope. He mentioned that trends tend to come and go, and when a rom-com is done right, it can still be a cracker.
“Things kind of go around and come around, fashions change and, when they’re done well, a good rom-com can be brilliant. I hope that they will come back around.”
For now, though, he sees the genre as stuck in a bit of a rut, waiting for its next big moment.