Julia Roberts has given us some of the most iconic rom-coms in pop culture history, from Valentine's Day and Pretty Woman to Runaway Bride.
If you're a Millennial or even a Gen Zer, you probably watched the movies as a tween or teen and gleaned (what you thought were helpful) insights about love, life, and relationships. After all, it's natural to look up to the woman on the big screen and want to follow in her footsteps.
Well, allow us to present a different take on the matter. In our humble opinion, movies can be just as wisdom-packed when they show you behavior you shouldn't strive to emulate. So, here's what I learned not to do by watching Julia Roberts rom-coms.
Scroll to see the lessons I took away from all my favorite Julia Roberts rom-coms!
1. Don't say "yes" if you're not truly ready.
In Runaway Bride, Julia Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, a woman who leaves her fiancés at the altar multiple times, and her track record leads her to be called "the runaway bride" by a journalist.
Perhaps there are two lessons here. Of course, while fleeing your own wedding day is bound to leave your partner with a whole lot of (valid) upset feelings, it's okay to say "no" and get out of a situation that isn't serving you, even if it feels like it's not what you're supposed to do.
But at the same token, remember that you shouldn't feel pressured into saying "yes" in the first place when you aren't genuinely ready to tie the knot with someone.
Being ambushed by a romantic proposal or facing expectations of marriage following a long-term relationship can be frightening. Still, don't allow yourself to be backed into a corner. Learn from Maggie's mistakes and say "yes" on your terms.
2. Manipulation isn't the way to get what you want.
My Best Friend's Wedding follows childhood best friends Julianne, played by Julia Roberts, and Michael, portrayed by Dermot Mulroney. They made a pact to marry each other if they were still single at 28 years old, yet four days before Julianne's birthday, she learns Michael is marrying another woman.
So, she attempts to break up her best friend's wedding, but let's just say it doesn't end well. I'm sure that all viewers could sympathize with Julianne's feelings of jealousy and heartbreak. Even so, this movie shows that trying to force someone into a relationship they don't want is manipulative (and won't work).
The lesson here? Respect other people's choices and realize that not every single romantic feeling has to be reciprocated.
3. Fame won't solve your problems.
In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, a famous actress who falls for the charming bookshop owner, William. Despite being a beloved film, it also serves as a master class in how fame can breed a whole host of relationship issues.
First off, Anna cheats on her boyfriend with William and cites the pressures of fame as an excuse. Instead of owning up to her actions, she seems to think that being a celebrity gives her a free pass to make poor decisions.
Then, Anna later takes it a step further by badmouthing William to strangers, again justifying her behavior as a consequence of her famous status. If that wasn't enough, when paparazzi harass her and follow her to William's house, she tries to pin the blame on him.
The takeaway here is that getting famous will not be a glamorous solution to all your problems. Rather, it often makes things worse. The spotlight can turn a person into a chaotic, out-of-touch mess who can't take responsibility for their actions.
Don't rely on grand gestures to fix your relationship.
Finally, Valentine's Day is filled with romantic, grand gestures. From declarations of love to over-the-top surprises, the film portrays these moments as a way to fix whatever's wrong in a relationship. In reality, these gestures are surface-level and don't actually address deeper issues at play.
The real lesson is that true connection and lasting relationships are built on open communication, trust, and support. These things go much deeper than a bouquet of roses or an elaborate dinner.
Yes, grand gestures may be exciting, but they won't magically solve being on different pages with your partner.
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