Love is everywhere this year… at least at the movies, both theatrical and streamed. Everyone is making them, watching them, and showing them! I, of course, think this is the best thing ever.
Personally, I’ve watched more romances–films, not TV show because that’s a whole ‘nother thing–in the past year than I did in the five before it. And it’s not just me or all those Bridgerton watchers. Even my sons have seen some. And liked them!
Here are the ones I’ve watched in the order of my increasing fondness for each film (worst to best.)
Irish Wish
This movie was, sadly, awful. The plot was so dumb I felt myself regressing as I watched. Ireland should sue for false representation. I’m all for Lindsay getting her groove back but this movie was a pile of shite.
Mother of the Bride
Honestly, I thought Brooke was smarter than this. Even my mom who loves rom coms found this one blah. Everyone in the film is too good looking and too bland and many of the scenes left me cringing.
The Idea of You
While I’m all for older women being the focus of films, this big age gap film didn’t wow me. The ending made very little sense and I just couldn’t buy Anne Hathaway’s character. It wasn’t dreadful but I certainly wasn’t wowed.
Anyone but You
Glen Powell is the bomb and Sydney Sweeney is a smart comic actress–together they elevate this fun but very silly rom com. The two have great chemistry and can snark with the best. I found many of the plot points tiresome but, overall, I enjoyed this one.
Family Affair
Though I found Nicole Kidman a bit hard to look at–so so thin! so so done!–I did really like this movie. Part of it is its unabashed enthusiasm for adults having sexy, independent lives while refusing to let their overly self-focused children boss them around. Plus, now I want to be Kathy Bates when I grow up. But this love story has more than great over 50 vibes–it’s a sweet exploration of how much better life can be when we let go of our fears. It’s also actually funny–a rare but necessary thing for a strong rom com.
Upgraded
I thought this little gem from Amazon was terrific. Smart about art and work and class, full of stellar women actors–Camila Mendez, Marisa Tomei, Lena Olin, Saoirse-Monica Jackson–this film rarely missteps. I’ve seen it twice and enjoyed it thoroughly both times.
The Fall Guy
If it weren’t for a somewhat confusing plot and several action scenes that went on far too long, this would be one of the best rom coms to come along in some time. Mostly that’s because Gosling and Blunt are two of the best actors working today and they have insane chemistry. Their banter is top notch and damn are they amusing. Even the cheesy last line worked. My son loves it, my mom loves it, Dr. Feelgood loves it. That, my friends, is a rare consensus.
Find Me Falling (ties with The Fall Guy)
If you’ve seen this film, you’ll know that the opening scene is about as shocking as any I’ve ever seen in a rom com. It’s not funny, it’s horrifying, and, as I watched it, I had no idea where the movie would go next. I almost turned it off. Fortunately, we stuck with it and, wow, did it work. Connick plays a deeply flawed man trying, in fits and starts, to become better although he really has no idea what that means. Over the course of the film’s hour and a half, he makes some huge mistakes–one is truly hard to see–and very slowly finds his way. He’s great but, really, this film belongs to its women and to the small Greek Cypress village he’s moved to. Especially phenomenal are Angeliki Filipidou as a grandmother irked with God for making her live so long and Ali Fumiko Whitney whose singing eclipses the great Harry Connick, Jr. It’s a winner.
Hitman
It doesn’t get much better than Hitman. It’s Glen Powell at his best–here he’s even more winning than he was in the truly great Set It Up which is saying something. This movie is sexy, funny, smart, and just a hell of a lot of fun. It’s got a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes–even the snooty New York Times loved it!
Have you seen any or all of these? What are your thoughts? And have I missed any great new romances? Let me know in the comments.