What's the cliché you always come across in romatic movies or books that just drives you nuts?
The ex-wife who always shows up 3/4s of the way into the movie.

Running to the airport -- or the train -- or to the [fill in blank] in the last act, to stop her/him from leaving....as if it's the last possible chance to talk to her/him.
Sheesh, get a grip, MC, you can always call....

The little misunderstandings that turn into a big deal and keep them apart the whole movie/book that could have all been straightened out if they'd actually ask straight-forward questions when they talk instead of speaking in code in every conversation. I realize that they need this to keep the conflict (& crazy antics) going, but really, I've never found it that hard to say, "Who was that girl you were with the other day?" "Oh, that was my sister. We're having dinner Friday. Wanna come?"

And how does a perfectly sunny cloudless day always turn into a downpour at the exact time the MC is screaming/running after their love, professing their love, and kissing? And while were on the subject, why are they telling their long explanation and then sharing an even longer kiss in the middle of the street that just so happens to be traffic-less? And if there is traffic they just stand there anyway. I always feel so annoyed for the drivers. And the sappier the story, the more I wish someone would run them over.

2007-Twilight Glow (winner!) 2008-The Return (winnner!) 2009-Ring of Thorns "A good story is life, with the dull parts taken out." ~Alfred Hitchcock

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For me, the lovers belonging to different social classes: the poor boy in love with the rich girl, or the handmaiden in love with the prince, or the princess who falls for the tramp, you name it. Oh, and their developing romance is just the perfect excuse for one to teach the other about how life is like in the other side.
...I completely hated this chiclé in Titanic, but I'd say it's more prevalent in soap-operas.

The anal-retentive girl and the happy-go-lucky guy, which has been done to freaking DEATH in the last five years.

Any time the love interest is treated as the most valued person in the main character's life. I understand that romantic love is often pretty sweet, but friendships and family relationships aren't automatically lesser than romantic relationships. I really hate this cliche when the character abandons friends or family to be with their love interest. I mean, there's standing up to your friends about who you love, and then there's being a jerk. The former is okay. The latter is not.

The whole Romeo and Juliet angle, the typical forbidden love scenario. Seriously people? How are so many characters "not meant to be" yet they end up together anyway?

The two characters who start out hating each other, until one of them almost dies, at which point the other comes to his/her senses and they kiss and make up.

:) Using that one in mine.

Icon by a_minor_third at LiveJournal

... then they die anyway. That's always good. :)

I'm hoping to insert every single cliche into my script--make it a satire. Rather than think what I can exclude, I like to make it more inclusive. Don't fence me in. (Hmmm-I like that, maybe I'll write a song)

Heh, I do like using cliches - exaggerating, twisting them around, etc. It is more fun than avoiding them completely.

Here's another cliche: the wedding interruption. When there's a respectable reason why it's happening, I welcome it. If it's not done well, I lose respect for the hero and heroine. How romantic is it to do something dishonourable, disgraceful and even flippant?

For me, its the shy, quiet girl crushing on the most popular guy at school/work who's never noticed her, then one faithful day he does and they fall hopelessly in love-- blah blah blah and they live happily ever after or something like that

The boyfriend/girlfriend whose personality is completely flat or irrelevant to the actual plot.

"Don't fence me in. (Hmmm-I like that, maybe I'll write a song)"
Win, GeorgieB. Full of it.

To DMac:
AH I totally agree! The airport security laws would never allow for that. AND someone would probably end up in prison, well airport prison.

Blech. I hate the male/female best friends combo that ends up in happy-go-lucky love land. My screenplay has opportunity for cliches that don't make the cut (e.g. the stated cliche here, and the interrupted wedding cliche). Which means my screenplay will probably never be produced because no one wants to see real events sprinkled with comical dialogue. But I sure as hell want to write it!

I hate, absolutely hate those little, like, actions that are supposed to be so tender and touching, like the guy giving the girl his coat. I hate that. It is SO cliched. Or the guy sliding down the wall crying. Or pretty much a billion other things. But right now I am really hating the guy giving the girl his coat.

Ha ha! These are all great.

I completely agree with Arnis1 about the smallest of misunderstandings being blown out of proportion to the point where it fuels the conflict of the entire movie - it DRIVES ME CRAZY. Maybe if the characters just had a friggin' ten-minute conversation like most normal people, things wouldn't be so catastrophic! (Okay, okay, I realize there would be no need for a movie then. But, sheesh, try to be a little creative!)

The device I loathe that seems to appear in more recent romantic comedies is when families break into some Motown song. It feels like such a Hollywood construct, like some producer said, "Hey, this dinner scene's kinda slow...how about they all start singing "Respect?!?" Yuck! My family has never done anything remotely like that and we drink A LOT at our holiday dinners!

Happy writing, everyone! :)

My family has never done anything remotely like that and we drink A LOT at our holiday dinners!

Exactly how much is A LOT? Just saw My Best Friend's Wedding - "The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up..." Yeah right. In the middle of the restaurant.

We sing Happy Birthday and maybe Jingle Bells, booze or no booze.

I cant believe I am admitting this, but my friends and I frequently burst out into song in public places...and we are completely sober when we do it. We believe in order to survive one must live a little...or a lot. :D

I hate the one minute there talking and laughing then they look at each other and slowing kiss,god i just look away when it happens i feel embarressed for them.

The romance between the two of them is like forgetting the whole world and they get to each other so closely.But does they come together once again?

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