The Boyfriend School

The Boyfriend School is a charming romantic-comedy from the year 1990, directed by Malcolm Mowbray and written by Sarah Bird. It showcases the lovable Steve Guttenberg, the vibrant Jami Gertz, and the forever-graceful Shelley Long. The movie is a delightful and heartfelt story focusing on friendship, love, and the often humorous complications that arise in our attempts to navigate relationships.

Guttenberg effortlessly depicts the character of Gus Kubicek, a photojournalist who has had his life significantly impacted by a battle with cancer. His unique circumstances have led him to adopt a solitudinous lifestyle and he is hesitant to embrace romance, resulting in some hilariously awkward social moments.

On the other side of the spectrum is Jami Gertz’s character, Emily Pear, a bubbly illustrator with a zest for life that is instantly infectious. Her path crosses with Gus's in a manner that is unexpected, delightful, and ripe with comic surprises. Emily's natural warmth and positivity provide a captivating and humorous juxtaposition to Gus's initially reserved and detached persona.

Drawing the two together is Gus's sister, Lizzie Potts, brought to life by Shelley Long. Lizzie is a traditionally successful romance novelist who is passionate about her work and a great believer in love. Believing that Gus needs a kick-start in the love department, she decides to lend a hand in her own unique way.

The Boyfriend School introduces us to Lizzie's brainchild, a personalized kind-of ‘love boot camp’, where she meticulously molds her brother under the bizarre pseudonym of a fictional hero from one of her novels. Her intention? To make him into a quintessential romantic protagonist to win Emily's heart. Lizzie regards her meddling as a well-intentioned push for Gus to find love once again and the movie provides a delightful documentation of the ensuing hilarities and heartwarming moments.

The movie masterfully uses the tropes of the classic romantic comedy genre but innovates, therein creating a story that stands out from the pack. The charming characters combine with a wittily-crafted script and each scene reveals new ways our characters grapple with matters of the heart.

Most impressively, The Boyfriend School undertakes a delicate balancing act between comedy, romance and an underlying theme of surviving hardship. The film handles its serious undertone of illness and recovery with gravity and respect, providing an important contrast to the often lighthearted and humorous scenes. Director Mowbray beautifully balances these different elements, and what results is an unforgettable film that paints a picture of resilience, the enduring nature of love, and genuine human connection.

Expanding beyond the simple construct of a romantic comedy, The Boyfriend School showcases strong performances by the cast, wonderful writing, and committed direction. Steve Guttenberg nails his role as the delightfully quirky Gus, providing a relatable character that audiences will be rooting for. Jami Gertz's portrayal of the lively Emily successfully presents an energetic force of positivity. And Shelley Long, as the meddlesome yet well-meaning Lizzie, shines as she masterfully juggles comedy and empathy in her performance.

The Boyfriend School takes the audience on a journey filled with laughs, eye rolls, and heartwarming moments. It reminds us about the power of sibling love, the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone, and the sometimes-bumpy road to finding love and companionship. This film is a classic treasure from the '90s that beautifully articulates that love might be under our noses, we just need to open our hearts to it. Whether you're a diehard romantic or just someone looking for a good laugh, The Boyfriend School is sure to deliver.