So, I watched the romantic comedy “Just Like Heaven” on cable recently, and I liked it. Thing was, even as I was watching it, I was aware that it was a really formulaic piece of writing, so formulaic that I was ticking the points off as I watched it: here’s the Meet Cute, here’s the Unlikely Ally, here’s the Seemingly Unassailable Obstacle, here’s the Wise Friend, there’s Temptation Girl, here’s the Big Musunderstanding with Temptation Girl, and there’s the Final Big Get Together.
It even starred Mark Ruffalo in the male lead, who seems to be the official Go-To Guy for romantic comedies lately.
But as formulaic as it was, and it was, I liked it. This is very different from my liking for SciFi Channel monster movies. When I watch a SciFi Channel monster movie, I’m deeply aware of its flaws and pretty much mentally playing with it, MST3King it even as I watch it. And I typically do other things while I watch them, because they just don’t reward one’s undivided attention. Plus, people get eaten by giant lizards in them on occasion.
But I liked Just Like Heaven, and I’m not sure why. I actually thought Reese Witherspoon’s character was kinda cold and unappealing – a career-obsessed doctor who didn’t have time or interest for a social life. I would have gone for Temptation Girl, if I’d been the male lead, which of course would have meant I didn’t deserve Witherspoon’s character’s favors, but as I didn’t want 'em anyway, big deal.
Have other Dopers found themselves liking movies they know are formulaic or badly done at best, and not necessarily in a favorite genre, without really knowing why?