Screenwriter Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral) makes his directorial debut with another whimsical love story grounded in emotional authenticity. The film follows nearly a half-dozen intertwining stories – featuring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth and Laura Linney, among others – woven together with a shameless yet soothing pop soundtrack and a charming

Hilary Duff plays a teen who invents a secret admirer for her mother (Heather Locklear), and the sheer desperation of Locklear’s character gives this otherwise unremarkable Duff vehicle an icky atmosphere. The woman badgers her daughter into scanning her photo and posting it on Match.com; she lobbies the school board to form single-parent mixers; and

In true British tradition, this is elevated to the status of pleasant diversion thanks to its comic supporting cast. That isn’t to dismiss the impressive British accent showcased by New Jersey girl Piper Perabo as Rachel, a newly married woman whose matrimonial bliss is upset by her attraction to a female florist (Lena Headey). Anthony

Watered-down Farrelly brothers is still good enough to make for a passable romantic comedy. This time the sibling directing team abandons the sort of touchy topics they’ve mined before – schizophrenia, obesity – to follow a rabid Boston Red Sox fan (Jimmy Fallon) who must decide if it is time to change priorities in his

Hitch takes good care of its slick premise – in which a “date doctor” (Will Smith) helps self-conscious men woo the women of their dreams. Smith mostly plays straight man to a very funny Kevin James as a nerdy accountant pining for an heiress. Eva Mendes adds steam and wit as a gossip columnist unimpressed

A romantic triangle develops between a small-town supermarket cashier (Kate Bosworth), the friend who quietly pines after her (Topher Grace) and the movie star (Josh Duhamel) who falls for her after she wins a contest to go on a date with him. We’re supposed to find these characters endearing, but the movie treats them like

The fact that this is a romantic comedy about reasons not to get married makes it slightly more intriguing than your average swoon flick (the climax involves two canceled weddings). And having Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey play the inevitably star-crossed lovers – she’s the wedding planner for his upcoming nuptials – makes it pleasantly

The movie equivalent of holding hands, this romantic comedy is innocent, simple and sweet – all without making you gag. David Duchovny and Minnie Driver hit it off wonderfully as the lovebirds, and writer-director Bonnie Hunt surrounds them with a spirited supporting cast. All together, they’ve pulled off a movie miracle of sorts: a feel-good

Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts bring luster to this clever, slight story of a dippy mob gofer (Pitt) who’s sent to retrieve a cursed Mexican gun, much to the dismay of his nagging girlfriend (Roberts). This is a romantic comedy in a crime farce’s clothing (or maybe vice versa), but most importantly it’s fun –