The rom-com genre has taught us how to laugh, cry, love… and now, how to run a successful business. Who’d have thought it?
How will a commitment-phobe vet and his forgetful wife compare to a team of married assassins in the boardroom?
Read on for our predictions…
Joe Fox & Kathleen Kelly, You’ve Got Mail
On the surface, You’ve Got Mail tells the story of an internet chat room romance. Viewed through a business lens, the film tells the heart-warming story of a corporate giant killing off the independent competition. Combined, Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) have the experience of managing a successful enterprise without losing the personal touch of a start-up. The couple are probably best sorting out their differences over email.
John & Jane Smith, Mr & Mrs Smith
Don’t let Mr & Mrs Smith’s (Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie) seemingly mundane skillset fool you, there’s a sense that the pair could make a killer combination in the business world. If there’s one downfall to the duo, it has to be their communication skills – you can’t help but feel the married couple work against each other and could achieve so much more moving towards the same targets.
Henry Roth and Lucy Whitmore, 50 First Dates
Commitment-phobe animal man Henry (Adam Sandler) and the forgetful Lucy (Drew Barrymore) have the odds stacked against them in their path to forging a fruitful partnership. The vet’s determination, however, wouldn’t go a miss at a struggling business and his problem-solving skills see him create the reminder video that becomes the catalyst for their happily ever after. With Henry and Lucy on your team, business will benefit from perseverance and creativity, although it may struggle delivering any long-term projects.
Alex “Hitch” Hitchens and Sara Melas, Hitch
The aloof Sara (Eva Mendes) may struggle to win over the hearts of her wider team, but with Hitch (Will Smith) at her side, she may not need the extra help. The workaholic journalist is wooed by a ‘date doctor’ who learns that he must adapt to achieve his goals – a lesson for businesses everywhere. The matchmaker may have to curb his lies if the couple want to go the distance though.
Harry Burns and Sally Albright, When Harry Met Sally
If Harry met Sally in the corporate world, the duo could teach their colleagues a thing or two about taking on others’ opinions. Harry’s insistence that men and women can’t be friends proves true as the pals from the past find it difficult to stop their feelings for each other developing into something more romantic. Sally is a safe bet working in an admin role – who wouldn’t trust someone who organises their videotape collection alphabetically?
And the winner is…
Sara Melas and Alex “Hitch” Hitchins, have it all. A strong work ethic and a willingness to adapt and work together. Let’s hope they avoid a role in a seafood restaurant…
50 First Dates image © 2003 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Mr & Mrs Smith image © 2005 Twentieth Century Fox. All Rights Reserved
