Are all romantic movies legally required to feature New Yorkers?

[Argus Skyhawk]

My wife and I just watched Letters to Juliet, and although most of the movie took place in Italy, the protagonist was from New York City. Now, The Backup Plan is starting, and I see it takes place in New York City. Why do you suppose light-hearted date movies always either take place in NYC or feature protagonists from NYC?
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[TemporalFlux]

My guess would be that New York is an easy example for the world to understand. Due to it's size and reputation, New York itself is a kind of adversary to love. So, I believe the idea is a kind of hope fulfillment; if love can make it there, then it can make it anywhere.

 

[doubleohfive]

My guess would be that New York is an easy example for the world to understand. Due to it's size and reputation, New York itself is a kind of adversary to love. So, I believe the idea is a kind of hope fulfillment; if love can make it there, then it can make it anywhere.

"It's
up
to
you,
New
York,
New Yooooooooork!"

 

[Gaith]

My guess would be that New York is an easy example for the world to understand. Due to it's size and reputation, New York itself is a kind of adversary to love. So, I believe the idea is a kind of hope fulfillment; if love can make it there, then it can make it anywhere.

I was about to cite New York's naturally cinematic scale, its history as a film hub, its tax credits, its proximity to Boston and DC for scenes/plots taking place there, not to mention being only "across the Pond" from Britain, its age and cultural history, the fact that it has seasons, its occasional ocean views... but wow, I'm not sure I'd have thought of all that. Awesome answer.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the movie The Ugly Truth, a typical romantic comedy starring some important people, actually took place in Sacramento, CA. Now that is something you don't see much of, but living near Sacramento I appreciated it. The movie still sucked though.

 

[Trekker4747]

Sleepless in Seattle?

 

[Temis the Vorta]

It's because New Yorkers are mean and nasty and heartless, so it's an interesting plot twist that they are capable of love or even of feeling anything for their fellow man besides a desire to run them down in the street.

JOKE! I JOKE, people!

 

[Argus Skyhawk]

Sleepless in Seattle?

In that movie, Tom Hanks' character was from Seattle, but Meg Ryan's character was from NYC, and the movie even had a climax at the top of the Empire State Building.

 

[Gaith]

Sure, there are exceptions to NYC. But not enough, in any genre, really.

 

[Kirkman1987]

I'm more concerned with how many people in these films are writers, mainly fashion articles.

 

[FordSVT]

^It gives them an excuse to not have regular business hours so they can spend all day holding hands in Central Park on a Wednesday.

New York is a beautiful and glamorous city, with a lot of character and a lot of interesting shooting locations. It has a famous skyline recognized around the world, and in a sense it's not just "America's Informal Capitol", it's "The Capitol of the World". When a foreigner thinks "American city", they can't help but think "New York".

There are always people and cars moving around, so it always feels alive, and it's a city of many cultures where almost anyone working in any profession could live, from bricklayer to artisan to banker. It's also a city that is very friendly to motion picture development and there is a very professional and skilled workforce in the area.

And I'm sure if we really put our heads together, we could think of plenty of romantic movies that take place in American cities other than the US. "The Graduate" took place in San Francisco, for example. "An Officer and a Gentleman" took place in Washington state.

 

[Gaith]

^It gives them an excuse to not have regular business hours so they can spend all day holding hands in Central Park on a Wednesday.

Interesting point. There is romance in making your own schedule, ain't there?

And I'm sure if we really put our heads together, we could think of plenty of romantic movies that take place in American cities other than the US. "The Graduate" took place in San Francisco, for example.

Er, no; some scenes took place in Berkeley, but none here in the City.

Just Like Heaven, on the other hand, did. A rather charming little trifle. And see that guy on the left?

This guy?

That's me, I kid you not. Paid extra for a day's shooting in Washington Square Park.

There are a few other SF-set romcoms... The Wedding Planner, parts of Going the Distance, Trek IV (though they barely shot at all in town)... but there should definitely be more.

 

[FordSVT]

^It gives them an excuse to not have regular business hours so they can spend all day holding hands in Central Park on a Wednesday.

Interesting point. There is romance in making your own schedule, ain't there?

And I'm sure if we really put our heads together, we could think of plenty of romantic movies that take place in American cities other than the US. "The Graduate" took place in San Francisco, for example.

Er, no; some scenes took place in Berkeley, but none here in the City.

Oh for God's sake man, was it filmed in NYC? Just pretend I said "California" and get on with your day.

 

[Gaith]

Oh for God's sake man, was it filmed in NYC? Just pretend I said "California" and get on with your day.

Belittling San Francisco, are ye? YOU will exercise punishment routine Delta One!

 

[IndyJones]

Sleepless in Seattle?

In that movie, Tom Hanks' character was from Seattle...

And at the start of the movie he was living in Chicago.

 

[FordSVT]

Oh for God's sake man, was it filmed in NYC? Just pretend I said "California" and get on with your day.

Belittling San Francisco, are ye? YOU will exercise punishment routine Delta One!

I love San Fran, it's one of my favourite cities. My brother actually went to Berkeley and I visited him a few times while he lived in San Francisco (on Guerrero Street).

Now he lives in Fresno and works at the university there, he and his wife (from Castro Valley originally) hates it and wants to eventually move back to the Bay Area.