3 Empowering Romantic Comedies Where the Girl Doesn’t Give Up Her Life for a Guy

If you’re looking to get your popcorn and your favourite glass of wine and sit down for some sappy, happy, good ol’ rom coms this weekend, then check out these three that won’t have you doubting your career choices or urban lifestyle.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good romantic comedy as much as the next gal. It probably is one of my favorite genres. But, as a mother of two girls, I find it quite annoying that so many show the female lead leaving her successful life in the city to settle down with the man of her dreams in a small town. (No offence to all the Hallmark movie lovers out there.)

If you wish to not poison the minds of your daughters, but still have the laughter, comedy, and the push and pull of romance, then check out these options:

1. Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah as Georgia Byrd.

With only weeks to live, Georgia skips town to go live out her dream of staying in a luxury spa hotel in Karlovy Vary and dining at her favourite chef’s restaurant. This movie takes you on an empowering journey of a woman making her dreams come true – most of which have nothing to do with her love interest Sean played by LL Cool J.

Still, there is nothing more irresistible than a woman who can make miracles happen under pressure. Not only does she meet her famous chef, she spends time with some influential businessmen and politicians, inspires a young girl to follow her own path, and even conquers adventure with snowboarding and base jumping.

But, will love win in the end and will she still be around to see it? Doesn’t matter, because Georgia finds the greatest love of all – love for herself and her own life.

2. The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate.

Margaret is a woman heavily guarded in her shell brought on by losing both her parents in a car crash when she was a teenager. She uses her position as head editor at a major New York publishing firm to squash anyone who threatens to get too close. She has to eventually let her guard down when she faces deportation and the loss of her job unless she can get married within 2 weeks!

She makes a savvy business proposal with her assistant, Andrew Paxton played by Ryan Reynolds. He agrees to marry her and stay married to her until her visa comes through so that she can stay at the firm. One problem: his nickname for her is Satan’s mistress.

Needless to say, hilarity ensues on their journey to fooling immigration which takes them to meet Andrew’s family in Sitka, Alaska where Andrew and Margaret really get to know each other. Why is it empowering? Let’s just say the only thing she gives up is her guard. Strength and love…maybe you can have it all.

3. Legally Blonde starring Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods.

Elle has always relied on her good looks, but if she is to win her boyfriend back, she needs to get in to Harvard Law fast. The only way to do that is to apply herself. When she does, it is amazing what she finds she is capable of.

This one is for all those girls who were underestimated for their talents and told to sit in the corner and be pretty and quiet. Elle may be pretty, but she doesn’t stay quiet. From fielding inappropriate advances, to recognizing maybe she is too good for the guy she ran to Harvard for, this movie takes you on Elle’s journey from petty school girl ambition to savvy college student victory.