Stop us if you’ve heard this before. Successful businessgal has a great career and even better apartment but can’t seem to meet Mr. Right. She finally meets a guy, but he’s totally wrong for her. Luckily, that’s all just a misunderstanding, and he’s actually her perfect match.
That, in a nutshell, is the plot of this weekend’s new romcom, “When in Rome.” And “The Proposal.” And “The Wedding Planner,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Notting Hill” and many, many more.
But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. This flick starring Kristen Bell and Josh “Mr. Fergie” Duhamel looks cute, if a little formulaic. In fact, that predictability may be part of its charm. (Original or not, we still plan on seeing this one — Duhamel is hot!)
In that spirit, here’s a look at the elements of “When in Rome” that remind us of other proven chick flicks.
Two likeable TV actors
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Reminiscent of: Patrick Dempsey (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Michelle Monaghan (“Boston Legal”) in “Made of Honor”
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Gorgeous European locale
Reminiscent of: Athens (left) in “My Life in Ruins” getty images file photo
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Perky yet unlucky-in-love leading lady
Reminiscent of: Katherine Heigl (left) in any of her movies Twentieth Century Fox
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A healthy dash of magic
Reminiscent of: Sarah Michelle Gellar’s cooking wizardry in “Simply Irresistible”
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Handsome cad with a secret sensitive side
Reminiscent of: Matthew McConaughey (left) in any of his movies Warner Bros. Pictures photo
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‘When in Rome’