Being the center of attention sucks. Ever since I was a kid I’ve always been more interested in being on the periphery. I like being the guy who chimes in with the sarcastic comment or the self deprecating joke. Having a super complicated life with a lot going on has never appealed to me. That brings to the point of this article, I’ve always wanted to be the friend in a rom-com.
Whereas most people wanted to be Ashton Kutcher, I’ve always envied the Rob Corrdry. Julia Roberts is the queen of rom-coms, but I wanna be Judy Greer. Let me be Judy Greer! Being Judy Greer rules!
The rom-com best friend gets all of the perks of the lead, but without all the struggles. Yes they have to listen to their hotter, more successful friend constantly complain about their problems, but it’s usually at their amazing home. The best friend is living in a great home. Sure they’re second fiddle in most things, but that eliminates all the pressure. You’re living on easy street. Hell if you’re close enough your friend will foot the bill.
Being the best friend is just so much easier on you than being the lead. Think about Fumiya from Domestic Girlfriend. Sure his life is objectively not as awesome as Natsuo’s. He’s not dating beautiful women and he doesn’t have incredible writing talent like his friend. However, unlike Natsuo, he’s got a very emotionally balanced life. He’s not constantly on a roller coaster of emotions. This is the essence of the best friend. What you lack in certain areas, you more than make up for in peace of mind. Think about this, have you ever seen the best friend have a comeuppance scene?
Also by the end of the movie we always find out that the best friend either hooks up with other person’s best friend or has a dope ass family already. And let’s be frank, as a guy I’m going to be playing out of my league. It’s a win win proposition. Proximity counts and the best friend in a rom-com is nothing if not proximate.
The best friend is the character actor of characters. Everyone loves character actors. Have you ever heard anyone bad mouth Stanley Tucci? No, of course you haven’t everyone loves Stanley Tucci. You never hear anything about the paparazzi coming for Margo Martindale. This the life people.
Being the rom-com best friend plays into all of my best traits and rewards some of my less desirable ones. It’s okay to be a little crass, it’s okay to dumb sometimes, by god it’s ok to be a little fat and smoke some weed. That’s the goddamn dream! I love the rom-com best friend and I will not apologize!