What do you look for in supporting actors or actresses in a supporting role in a romantic comedy movie? Do you even have any hopes for those characters -- or is it all about the leads for you? Hope not, because I believe their is more room to have fun as a supporting character in a romantic comedy, then in being a lead.
I think the issue of the importance of supporting leads -- for me at least -- began a long time ago after I watched "Splash" (1984: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah).
LOVED the silly, villainous Walter Kornbluth (Eugine Levy's character) who spends 80 % of the movie trying to prove to everyone that he's not a kook, and the mermaids do really exist. BUT the supporting actor I'm going to set my magnifying glass on is John Candy. John Candy died many years ago, 1994 to be exact. But he passed away he left an imprint on comedy in America. John Candy was very funny. And the supporting actor work he put in, in "Splash" is deserving of high praise.
"Splash" is all about Tom Hanks romance with a mysterious woman, Daryl Hannah, who turns out to be a mermaid. But what John Candy adds to the mix is a humorous contrast to Tom Hanks character. Tom Hanks is fit and handsome, whereas John Candy's character is out-of-shape and is a fun loving guy.
How about the racketball scene where John Candy and Tom Hanks discus life, while John Candy's character is smoking and drinking beer! Funny stuff. And throughout "Splash" John Candy's character delivers comic relief and also is a mentor and sounding board for main protagonist, Tom Hanks. HUGE fan of John Candy in "Splash." Few have ever done as good a job in a supporting role in a rom-com.
And supporting actors and actresses in a romantic comedy DON'T always have to be contrast or comedy only people. Case and point, Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011: Steve Carrell). In "Crazy, Stupid, Love" the main plot revolves around Steve Carrell and where his love life will end-up. Sure Ryan Gosling's character is key component of how that turns out -- but he is a supporting character, NOT the main one. And Ryan Gosling's character is Mr. Smooth, NOT Mr. Funny. Rather, in this movie Ryan Gosling gets by, by doing shit like this:

PUT THE SHIRT BACK ON RYAN, you're making the rest of us schmucks look like just that, schmucks!
Anywho, I think you get the idea; there is no reason why supporting characters in a romantic comedy can't be sexy too! Just look at Marisa Tomei in "Crazy, Stupid, Love;" when she goes crazy, sex-starved school teacher on poor ol' Steve Carrell, we should all be so lucky!
Time to deal with another misnomer about what makes a good, romantic comedy supporting actor or actresses. What about Michael Constantine's performance as Gus Portacalos, Tula (Nia Vardalos) father. Too me,
Gus Portacalos' character IS what makes "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" work. He is the main protagonist's father, yet at the same time one could I argue -- and I would -- that Gus Portacalos is the story's main antagonist at the same time; as he stands in opposition to Tula expanding her life beyond the restaurant that her family owns.
Take Michael Constantine's Gus Portacalous out of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and you really compromise the story, eliminating a vital area of conflict. Gus Portacalous is by far the most interesting character in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." And Michael Constanineshowed great comedic timing and character acting in his portrail of Tula's father. La-oved Gus Portacalous. YET I would not rank him the best of all time. That's coming later in the show, kids.
On the ladies side of the ledger it feels like women in romantic comedies are used more as romantic councillors to the main protagonist. Sometimes rivals, sometimes comedic relief, like say Isla Fisher in "Wedding Crashers" (2005: Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn). Personally, I thought the very premise of "Wedding Crashers" was offensive. YET, even despite that, Isla Fisher breathed some well needed life into this lemon of a movie. And that's what a good supporting role can do; make the movie tolerable.
Back on point. For me it feels like in most romantic comedies the supporting roles for women work with the female main protagonist to sort out their lives, and process matters pertaining to their love interest.
Of all the female supporting romantic comedy actress out there, it should come as no suprise that my favorite of all is Judy Greer
, she played Lucy Wyman in "13 Going on 30" and has played supporting actress gigs on rom-coms such as: "Love Happens" (2009: Jennifer Aniston, Aarron Eckhart), 27 Dresses (2008: Katherine Heigl). Too bad in real life Judy Greer is married to Dean E. Johnsen since December 17, 2011 as per IMBD. Would have loved to have gotten a shot at that title. Dean, you're a lucky man. On the surface, looks wise, Judy Greer is exactly what I'm looking for, FYI for all the single ladies out there.
Okay, so know I've laid out a couple supporting actors and actresses in romantic comedy movies, but of all of them who do I say did it best? You'll never guess...
Michael Rispoli, Joey Fusco Jr.
in "While You Were Sleeping" (1995: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman)." Sometimes I just watch "While You Were Sleeping" JUST to watch Michael Rispoli BRILLIANT performaceas schlub, who doesn't even realize that he is a schlub, Joey Fusco Jr. In Joey's mind he's a candidate for Lucy's heart, but in Lucy's mind, he's a non-contender. Joey Fusco Jr. really adds something of value to the mix in "While You Were Sleeping" when Jack and Lucy get close to kissing in one scene and Jack talks about "leaning", Joey sees them from a distance and notes that he sees Jack as leaning, then warns Jack that if Lucy wants him dispatched he's the guy to do it as he knows karate, then immediately upon turning around nearly loses his party hat as it hits a branch and causes him to stop and readjust it. Funny stuff. But then again nearly every time Michael Rispoli's Joey Fusco Jr. is on the screen I found myself chuckling.
Best supporting actor in a romantic comedy EVER, Michael Rispoli as Joey Fusco Jr. in "While You Were Sleeping." And I would give the 2nd place trophy to John Candy as Freddie Bauer in "Splash." 3rd place to Michael Constanine as Gus Portacalos in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Ladies, you need to step up. Traditionally the rom-com is regaurded as women's territory, YET as pertains to supporting actors and actresses no one from the women's ranks is worthy of cracking my top three. What's up with that? Women you need to step up your game. More appropriately, writers you need to step up your game and create a memorable, supporting role for an actress in rom-com.
In summary, I think supporting actors and actresses best serve a romantic comedy when they provide comedic relief therein. Sure their are many other functions a supporting actor or actress can provide in a romantic comedy. They can be a romantic b storyline, like say a Ryan Gossling and Emma Stone are in "Crazy, Stupid, Love." They can be mentors like Rossie O'Donnel is in "Sleepless in Seattle." Supporting actor and actresses roles should provide LIFE to the movie. They need to add something. Balls in the air. You risk a lot IF you put all your stock in the leads carrying the movie. Remember, one of E.C. Henry's beliefs is that romance makes a lot of people fell uncomfortable. Thus, the support actors and actresses can provide a vital function to the movie going experience: they can give the audience something else to key in on, other than the central romance. Balls in the air. Comedy, memorable characters. Get it?
As for the opening shot from "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" I did that in honor of the cast, which I thought was outstanding. Of all the romantic comedies ever made I think "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" had the best ensemble of supporting members of any in the history of film. I'd give "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" as being a close second on that front.
- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA
Still working on that pesky teen comedy thing. Working the late 2nd to 3rd act scenes mostly. Going back into that characters too. Think I may have my best female heroine since Stacy Dutchmen of "Give It Up for Chimpy", we'll see... But at least I'm having fun, and no longer feel paralyzed. I'm working through my story's issues. Not all the way there yet, but DAILY tangable progress is being made. That said, I still don't have a definitive done date in mind yet. Too far off to see. Still in the 1st draft building stage. And I feel in my heart that it's going to take multipe drafts to hone this story and get it to a place where I can honestly say I've taken the story, its promise and potential, and take it the highest level I'm capable of taking it.
I am a perfectionist. And I hold myself to a high standard. Sure I may have not made a sale to this point in my career. But I hope to someday.
P.S.S. on a personal note I took my parents and my aunt out to eat last night at the The Salish Lodge at the Snoqualmie Falls. Found out lobster bisque sounds much better than it actually tastes. Though I was getting a seafood soup, but instead the stuff was orange and tasted like squash, could barely choke the stuff down, BUT at $ 15 a bowl, you bet your ass I ate it all. Anywho, $ 331 dollars -- and a genuine smile from my mom later, we all went home happy. Ever since I saw "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" where Benjamin Barry made lamb for Andie Anderson, I've been meaning to try lamb. Finally did, as the Salish had that on their menu, and they didn't disappoint. I LA-OVE lamb. Can't wait to trying making myself, and a la Benjamin Barry gunna try to do that with an accompanying cherry glaze.