Romantic movies are a guilty pleasure. Deep down you know they're unrealistic, but that doesn't stop you from dreaming. Just be careful, watching enough chick flicks can make you believe crazy things like you'll be able to afford an apartment in Manhattan or that love is real. You may even start to believe it's OK to break the law. Here are 15 romantic movie storylines that in real life would get you in real trouble.
1. Identity Theft.
Pretending to be someone else is a popular device in rom-coms, but in real life, it's totes illegal, bro. Even if the false identity you provide leads to adorable hijinks like in While You Were Sleeping, this crime carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and substantial fines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6JuJKsHDeU
2. Assault and Battery.
Throwing punches to defend a girl's honor is a romantic movie staple. It's macho, hot, and illegal af. The maximum sentence you can receive for a third degree assault charge is one year in jail and possible fines. Luckily the laws don't apply to Bridget Jones Diary, because this fight is the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBvOHpNhswo
3. Theft.
Did you know stealing something is against the law? People in romantic comedies sure don't seem to. Even the classiest burglary ever, like this one in Breakfast at Tiffany's, could lead to serving a year in jail, community service, or a fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6djvU_Sstyg
4. Prostitution.
Big mistake, huge. Prostitution is not romantic and not legal in most places. If Pretty Woman were real, Julia Roberts could face up to three months in jail and a fine of $500. Richard Gere would be looking at up to a year in prison, and a fine of $1,000 or more for solicitation. Also, zero chance these two are ending up together, but that's another article altogether.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Y16is7DNA
5. Kidnapping.
Kidnapping seems hella romantic, especially the part where the other person can't get away from you, but actually, it's a serious crime. The punishment for kidnapping, depending on the state, is anywhere from two years to life in prison. So maybe don't take relationship advice from movies like Labor Day where Josh Brolin ties up Kate Winslet and erotically feeds her chili. Of course in the movie they fall in love (probably because chili is the most sensual of foods), but in real life, it would be "bye forever because you're going to jail, a**hole."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Ieoo8k5k4
6. Impersonating a High School Student.
Movies like Never Been Kissed make us think we could totally pass for a high schooler if we just put on some more colorful clothes and talked a lot about Snapchat, but people who have tried this stunt in real life totally got arrested. The punishment for impersonating a high schooler is a maximum of six months in jail and a $2,500 fine. So unless you want to ask your mom for bail money, maybe skip the prom do-over, and just find a hot teacher on Tinder to make out with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d97O5zOBwcw
7. Pedestrian violations.
If you want to take a nap in the street while you're out on a date, boy you've got bigger problems than the police issuing you a traffic citation. While this (and everything in The Notebook) seems crazy romantic, in real life it's a misdemeanor offense. It'd cost you in fines and maybe even kill you, which is not worth it because then you won't be able to die when you're old and holding hands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m-M9npjWbQ
8. Trespassing.
When Patrick Swayze got fired from his dance instructor job in Dirty Dancing, he was forced to leave the premises. The moment he came back and performed the best ending to a movie ever could very well have gotten him arrested for trespassing.Do you really think Baby would stick by him after he was slapped with a $500 fine and 30 days in jail?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypKSbnYOrwE&list=PLKC0FEdChnw8f_ef1YBvFxAX1q-2LmGXL
9. Indecent exposure.
Skinny dipping in the moonlight is undoubtedly romantic, however if you get caught, you're likely to face an indecent exposure charge. In most cases, the first indecent exposure conviction subjects you to misdemeanor penalties of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Luckily in The Vow, they don't get caught, although who would ever punish Channing Tatum for not wearing clothes anyway?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-CbOlYMKgs
8. Breaking through Airport Security.
Romantic movies have made it a cliche to run past security through the airport to tell someone you love them. It's been done over and over on the big screen, despite how totally illegal it is. If you ever feel so head over heels in love that you want to pull a Love Actually,or God forbid aLiar Liar then get ready to be tazed within an inch of your life and put in federal prison for up to 18 months. Texting, Snapchatting, calling, Facetiming, Facebooking, and carrier pigeon-ing are all less romantic but more legal solutions to saying "Love you, bye."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-7oFlanOLs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLdK1Wi_XMw
9. Stalking.
There are lots of movies that make stalking seem romantic, even though in real life the same behaviors would be creep-city. In Twilight, there's a vampire who's over 100 years old and routinely breaking into a high school girl's bedroom to watch her sleep. It's supposed to be sweet, but in reality, this crime would carry up to 90 days in jail. Although if you're immortal, 90 days is probably like, eh, who cares.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvHwq-uPqjE
10. Public intoxication.
Sorry Hollywood, but public intoxication is a misdemeanor in California. If you're convicted, you may face up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. That's an even bigger punishment than having to hang out with Katherine Heigl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6MSlDoHJU4
11. Disturbing the Peace.
The iconic boom box scene in Say Anything is so romantic even though blasting loud jams like that seriously violates some noise ordinances. Disturbing the peace is a misdemeanor criminal offense. John Cusack could face jail time of up to 90 days and fines of up to $400. SO. WORTH. IT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Y8tFQ01OY
12. Drugging someone.
It's illegal to tamper with someone's drink without their knowledge (Attn: Bill Cosby.) When Owen Wilson poisons Bradley Cooper's drink in Wedding Crashers to score some alone time with Rachel McAdams it seems kind of sweet, but it's not. It's a crime. Yes, drugging someone is considered an assault, even if no sexual or other contact occurs. Sorry Owen, you just committed a class B felony that is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFyoehy1zNI
13. Reckless Driving.
At the end of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Matthew McConaughey races around the streets on a crotch rocket with reckless abandon trying to stop the girl of his dreams from leaving him. (He's never heard of a phone apparently.) However, if this were real life, McConaughey would need to check himself before he wrecks himself, because driving like that could lead to a $300 fine plus up to 30 days in jail for reckless driving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptmM0gnh6e014. Running on to a Baseball Field.
If you race on to a baseball field during a game, it's a crime, and you will get in trouble. Yes, even if you do it for love. Drew Barrymore in Fever Pitch would be charged with criminal mischief (which is maybe the most adorable-sounding crime). She'd be looking at six months in jail, a $1,000 fine or both. All just to kiss Jimmy Fallon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HHV7_IFu9015. Murder.
We all know murder is illegal, but Titanic makes it look so romantic. Even if you're like, come on Rose didn't actually murder Jack, just know that Involuntary Manslaughter at both the federal and state level is treated as a felony and usually carries a prison sentence of at least 12 months, plus fines and probation. Sorry Rose, looks like you'll "never let go" of that criminal record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wp2xZYRfG8Think you can still watch rom-coms in jail?