The Chemistry Test

Author Kirthana Ramisetti on the power of actors who sizzle onscreen.

Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney in Out of Sight.

Welcome back to You’ve Got Mail: The Substack! I’d love to introduce you to Kirthana Ramisetti, an acclaimed novelist with an unabashed love of pop culture — her books zing with references to movies, TV and celebrities, and her mind is wonderfully encyclopedic. (Of course, I forced Kirthana to become my friend. You can follow her on Instagram here, and buy her latest novel, Advika and the Hollywood Wives, here.) Today, I’m thrilled to share a guest post from Kirthana about a subject that keeps casting directors in high demand. Without further ado…

In my novel Advika and the Hollywood Wives, Advika is an aspiring screenwriter and avowed romcom fan. As she watches Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in The Philadelphia Story, she says to her boyfriend:

“This is why I love romantic comedies. The most expensive special effects in the world can’t create their kind of chemistry.”

“Agreed,” Julian said, kissing the top of her head.

“Sparks, connection, fizzy banter—there is nothing more magical,” Advika mused. “It can’t be faked.” 

And here's where I share that I feel the same way as Advika. I never failed to be dazzled by onscreen chemistry. Especially because it’s an instantaneous kind of thing—it can’t be coaxed out of people or generated through hard work (or ahem, AI).¹ Either you have it with someone, or you don’t. And no matter how witty and wonderful a script is, if you don't buy the chemistry between the two leads, the whole thing simply doesn't work. 

Romantic chemistry is so palpable, yet so hard to describe. It truly is lightning in a bottle. You know it when you see it, and what a joy it is to watch. 

I’ve collected some scenes that I think define what we think of when we think of chemistry:

If Aliens Invaded the Earth and Demanded the Ultimate Example of Romantic Chemistry 

Undoubtedly Peak Clooney and Arguably Peak Lopez in Out of Sight. What heightens the tension is the fact they know this moment can’t last, and so they are taking each other in as much as possible. They are eating each up with their eyes, and every touch feels momentous.  

The cross-cutting between the present and the future only heightens the anticipation of seeing these two very beautiful people finally getting to Get. It. On. (Editor’s note: NSFW!!!)

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Romantic Chemistry Blurring Reality and Fiction

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams at the 2005 VMAs: In recreating their famous kiss from The Notebook, Gosling and McAdams actually topped it. From Gosling indicating “come here,” to the passionate kiss once McAdams leaps into his arms then remains locked around him as they approach the podium, it’s a short but perfect encapsulation of the real-life heat that emerged from their big-screen coupling. 

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Sweet Teenage Butterflies

There is something so pure and lovely about seeing two people fall in love for the first time. Heartstopper’s Kit Connor and Joe Locke are glorious in depicting the shy, hopeful path to romance. I feel their goosebumps each time they’re in each other’s presence.

Also see: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

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Falling in Love Through the Art of Song and Dance

Baby and Johnny are so damn hot in Dirty Dancing. Hotter than the hot sauce that made Jennifer Lawrence cry on “Hot Ones.” It’s all just bare skin and sweat and sexy lip syncing. No matter that these two reportedly didn’t get along offscreen. All you witness in this scene is a fire emoji.

Also see: A vast array of Indian movie musicals—I’m partial to Lagaan and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.  

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Falling in Love Through the Art of Banter²

Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are absolutely mad for each other—and more often than not, mad at each other. Even though they begin His Girl Friday as exes, every moment of their exquisite rapid-fire banter indicates that they’ll reunite by the end.

Also see: Clueless

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We're Two Very Different People, And That's Why We're Falling in Love 

As Paula Abdul wisely noted with the help of MC Skat Kat, opposites attract. What was once annoying about a person can also be the thing that makes them so endearing.

There is so much to love about When Harry Met Sally. I particularly adore when mopey Harry and straitlaced Sally act silly together. Their relationship blossoms when they find they can be comfortable enough to goof around with each other.

Also see: How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Long Shot 

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We Got Stuck Together, And That's Why We're Falling in Love 

This is my favorite romcom contrivance. In 7 Days, two people who shared an awkward first date are forced to spend a week together at the beginning of the pandemic. The pair are surprised to feel any chemistry at all, and it’s a treat to watch them realize how much they like each other despite the odd circumstances they find themselves in. 

Also see: It Happened One Night

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We’re Sporty, And That’s Why We Belong Together

When a movie combines romance and sports, then we get to see a couple’s chemistry through their athletic moves. Love & Basketball is arguably the pinnacle of this genre. Sanaa Lathan challenges Omar Epps in a game of one-on-one to win back his heart, and there is so much fire, passion and pain communicated through their gameplay.

See also: The Cutting Edge, Bend it Like Beckham

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Romcom Chemistry in Non-Romcom Movies 

Han Solo and Princess Leia have a Hepburn/Tracy dynamic. And their adorable bickering and smoldering glances reveal how ready they are to jump each other’s bones if that whole save-the-galaxy thing didn’t take up so much of their time.

Also see: Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music. (Captain Von Trapp might have been my first crush.)

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Friendship Chemistry in Romcoms

I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that the main reason My Best Friend’s Wedding is an enduring romcom is because of Julia Roberts’ dynamic with Rupert Everett. He is her dashing support system who also calls her out on her shit, and their BFF banter is an absolute pleasure to watch. 

Also see: The Half of It. (I love this movie and I wish more people would watch it.)

I know that I missed some of your favorites! Please share them in the comments, and while I’ve got you here, I wanted to quickly highlight the actors who bring it with the chemistry no matter their co-star. I firmly believe this is a superpower, and no amount of special effects can ever generate what comes to them so naturally.

Romcom Hall of Fame (aka actors who would have chemistry with even a broom):

Julia Roberts

Sandra Bullock 

Colin Firth

Paul Rudd

Meg Ryan

Hugh Grant 

Actors Who'd Have Hall of Fame Chemistry If We Could Just Cast Them in Romcoms Already:

Michael B. Jordan

John Cho³ 

Dev Patel

Keke Palmer⁴

Bowen Yang⁵

Sarita Choudhury⁶

What’s your favorite example of screen chemistry? (I barely mentioned television because then this post would never end. But there are so many iconic examples on TV, too.) Who do you think belongs in the Romcom Hall of Fame, and who do you want to see in a romcom? 

1. And here is where I take a moment to show support for the Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild currently on strike for fair compensations and protections against AI. A great way to show support is Groceries for Writers, which distributes grocery store gift cards to writers in need, and the Entertainment Community Fund, which distributes donations to film and television workers in need.

2. There is definitely some overlap in these next few categories!

3. He proved he had the chops in the TV series Selfie. Highly recommend checking it out. (I think you might still be able to find it on Hulu?)

4. Honestly, I would love to see Keke paired with anyone on either list.

5. He was the BFF in Fire Island—another great romcom!—but would love to see him as a romantic lead. 

6. She generated all kinds of heat with Denzel Washington in Mississippi Masala and steals scenes as Carrie’s new sidekick on And Just Like That, so she’s another overlooked gem who deserves her very own romcom.