February undeniably marks the month of love. A staple of the month’s romantic holiday, Valentine’s Day, is watching romantic comedies — or “rom-coms” — movies that typically entail two people meeting, being separated in one way or another and ultimately finding their way back to each other to profess their love. Rom-coms are full of comedic and lighthearted moments that make them the perfect films to watch when feeling in the hopeless romantic mood or when in need of a pick-me-up. In recognition of Valentine’s Day, we surveyed 175 Palo Alto High School students about their favorite rom-coms and narrowed the results down to three iconic movies. Here is what we found.

“When Harry Met Sally” (1989)

After sharing an excruciating 12-hour drive from Chicago to New York to save gas and money, mutual friends Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) plan to never see each other again. Ten years later however, they run into each other in a bookstore — and their paths keep crossing — until they eventually realize that their love is worth pursuing. This charming rom-com will forever be a classic and a crowd favorite, from an unlikely friendship to a beautiful romance, the plot of “When Harry Met Sally” makes it the ultimate rom-com.

Although rom-coms are often known for their somewhat unrealistic characters and storylines, senior Ella Rosenblum said she is drawn to the film because of its authenticity.
“I feel like the way that it [‘When Harry Met Sally’] is written is very much how real people talk,” Rosenblum said. “A lot of the time with rom-coms, you get this sort of dialogue that is really dramatic and fun, but it doesn’t feel like you’re watching real people.”
She also said she enjoys the artistic choices.
“I’m not gonna lie, a big draw of it is the visuals,” Rosenblum said. “Meg Ryan wears some killer outfits.”
Sophomore Niaz Alasti said she is also drawn in by the film’s visuals.
“It’s just such a beautiful movie… the cinematography is really pretty too” Alasti said.

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

When Walter Stratford bans his daughter Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) from dating until her independent, boy-hating older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) gets a boyfriend, Bianca sets out to find her sister a match. In the meantime, Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan), the boy Bianca has been pining for, pays the rebellious loner Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to take Kat out. Initially, Kat tries to keep her distance from Patrick, but eventually he wins her over.

This iconic ‘90s rom-com and modern day take of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” is a Paly favorite with teen angst, a love triangle and an adorable romance.

Junior Roxanna Reid said she enjoys the movie because of the vintage fashion and strong feminist messaging.

“It [‘10 Things I Hate About You’] is a big comfort movie for me and I love the ‘90s style that the costumes and soundtrack create,” Reid said. “The movie has a lot of attempts to incorporate feminist themes, some scenes more successfully than others, and even if their characters don’t always feel developed, I love the dynamic between the heroines Kat and Bianca.”
Sophomore Aria Shah said she likes the lighthearted nature and comedic side of the movie.
“10 Things I Hate About You’ is probably my favorite movie of all time,” Shah said. “I just really like how unserious it is and how it’s just your classic rom-com with how predictable it is.”

“13 Going on 30” (2004)

All 13-year-old Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen) wants is to be “30, flirty and thriving.” For her birthday, her best friend Matt “Matty” Flamhaff (Mark Ruffalo) gives her a dollhouse covered with “magic wishing dust,” which falls on her and transports her 17 years into the future — she wakes up as her 30-year-old self (Jennifer Garner) the next morning. Unfortunately for Jenna, being 30 is not everything she dreamed it would be. Luckily she reconnects with Matt, who helps her realize what — and who — is most important in her life. The movie follows Jenna as she navigates the ups and downs of adulthood and tries to make amends for past mistakes.

The film was well-received for its charm, humor and emotional depth, and has since become an all-time classic rom-com. Sophomore Sophie Williams said she likes the aesthetic visuals, as well as the message behind the movie.
“I love the little ‘80s and ‘Y2K’ moments and I also love that she decided to change herself and she goes for what she believes and not what she wants out of life,” Williams said.
Senior Jasmine Tabrizi said that while her appreciation for the film has evolved over time since she first watched it at age 10, it remains one of her favorites.
“I remember thinking when I was younger that it would be so cool to jump forward in time just like the movie’s main character did,” Tabrizi said. “But now that I’m older I feel like I view the story differently and it’s shown me how important it is to appreciate life as it comes and focus on the present because you can never get that time back.”