The 90s Rom-Com That Ruined My Generation

“You complete me.” Seriously?

I love a good quotable movie as much as the next ‘90s kid. But one thing that astounds me, as a writer but also as just a human, is how certain quotes can simply sound nice, and therefore be memorable, sharable, and qualify as life advice despite being utter nonsense. I don’t know how they get away with that shit.

Need examples?

“If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” I…I don’t think this is true.

“If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” My dreams don’t scare me, Stacey, they inspire and motivate me. If I was afraid of them wouldn’t that hinder my pursuit of them a bit? Just a thought.

My generation suffers from an “all style, no substance” affliction when it comes to romantic comedies. My generation was also raised on romantic comedies. When you really think about what’s being said, rather than just how pretty it sounds, the wheels of your brain alive and well in 2023 really start to spin.

There are two lines from the ‘90s that I’d like to retire today. I find them both to be, not just nonsense from a substantive point of view, but also potentially harmful to human relationships if ever understood to be not just possible, but actually things to strive for. Both come from the same…