University life has frequently provided the backdrop for many classic romantic comedies, from Legally Blonde to Pitch Perfect. It’s perhaps surprising then that Cambridge has not joined these American ranks as the setting for a romantic comedy. Though putting Cambridge on some sort of cultural pedestal is far from my intention and many cold-hearted critics would argue that the genre is formulaic and repetitive, I think there is a real chance to reinvigorate the romcom by applying it to life at our university.

Step 1: A Strong Setting

The nostalgia and comfort which many associate with romcoms often lies in the power of place. After the release of Notting Hill, the borough has been forever cast as the stomping ground of a young Hugh Grant. The stunning Cornish family home seen in About Time has similarly captured hearts. From the sleepy tranquillity of Grantchester meadows to the colourful shopfronts of Bridge Street, there are no end of options in Cambridge for any wannabe Richard Curtis to immortalise in romcom culture forever.

“There are no end of options in Cambridge for any wannabe Richard Curtis to immortalise in romcom culture forever”

Step 2: The Meet-Cute

Some of us dream of Crushbridges, others of brushing hands when reaching for the same book amidst the shelves of the Seeley Library. A You’ve Got Mail secret identity scenario or Romeo and Juliet fish tank moment perhaps? Within the manic Cambridge term a supervision partnership turning from enemies to lovers would make a compelling plotline. Once the flame is ignited, a trip to Jack’s, the Fitzwilliam Museum or a walk along the backs would provide perfect opportunities for meet-cutes to grow into full-fledged romances.

Step 3: Casting the Friendship Group

As any good rom-com develops, the commentary of the protagonists’ close friends is often where the greatest humour lies. The dinner party scene in Notting Hill and Sally Phillips’ character in Bridget Jones’ Diary spring to mind. From a witty ADC thespian to a sleep-deprived but loyal rower, many of the archetypal figures within university life would form a perfect social network for our protagonists to rely on. When casting both secondary characters and the central couple, moving away from the white and heteronormative trends that dominate many of the classic rom-coms would be crucial, reflecting the diversity of Cambridge.

Step 4: The Crisis

Romantic comedies are rarely just smooth sailing. Whilst there would certainly be a place in this project for a college-married couple who pine away for months before confessing their love for each other on the Bridge of Sighs, there would equally need to be a sense of realism, confronting the more challenging elements of Cambridge life. A plot that did not address the task of navigating the mental health struggles that often come from studying here would be incomplete. Class divides, prejudice, privilege and belonging are other forces that shape many social experiences here, and building relationships around these themes is inevitable. If Set It Up can challenge the toxicity of corporate culture whilst still being lighthearted, we can apply this to Cambridge.

“Romantic comedies are rarely just smooth sailing”

Step 5: The Dramatic Resolution

Castle Mound would be well suited as the windy backdrop of some dramatic confession of love after a term of ‘will-they-won’t-they’. May Balls present the perfect premise for the final scenes of such a film– I’m picturing one shot in the style of the parties seen in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.

Step 6: The Format

In the case of Cambridge I’m thinking a Love Actually multi-narrative structure would suit our purpose best. In a city where everyone seems to be linked by at least two degrees of separation, a tangled web of interconnected plot lines would be able to capture the variety of student life in Cambridge. With this style of narrative there would be room to portray the fated love of a cox and their stroke seat in a bold rowing romance alongside a more understated plot line following two love-struck students who are too scared to approach each other from across the library. Variety is the spice of Cambridge life.

I have no doubts that if this film was made it would be a roaring success that would sell out at the Arts Picturehouse, but ultimately, I’m just a girl who, instead of standing in front of a boy asking him to love her, is sitting in front of a laptop pitching a film that nobody asked for.