This is a romantic comedy for people who hate romantic comedies.
The story is similar to a lot of rom-coms: Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), a young man with a history of failed relationships, become the platonic friend of Chantry (Zoe Kazan), who is living with a long term boyfriend. He falls for her, and has to decide how to proceed. The background of their respective friends' love lives provides humour and contrast. But this film is a notch above other films in the category.
First, it's actually funny. The quips and banter between characters, particularly between the two main characters, is clever and often hilarious. In fact, the dialogue is the best part of the movie.
Second, the plot is not completely full of contrived, unlikely situations designed to either get the couple together or put them in a "comically" embarrassing predicament. There are a few, but they are not too outlandish and make sense as part of the story.
Third, the ethical issues involved in romantic decisions, such as becoming attracted to someone already committed to another person, are not glossed over. Wallace even refers directly to the attitude (common in rom-coms) that being in love somehow excuses any kind of bad or dishonest behaviour. Wallace has been cheated on himself, and feels it is important to stick to his principles. Chantry's boyfriend is not merely an obstacle to the couple's happy ending; he is a nice person who can be hurt by disloyalty. The movie doesn't treat love as a game, and that's refreshing.
Fourth, it's possible for the audience to understand exactly what the couple see in each other - something I find rare in most romantic comedies. Wallace and Chantry are both charming, clever, funny people who make a connection on many levels, and it's easy for us to imagine them happily together, and to cheer them on.
A very well done, enjoyable and truly romantic movie.
The story is similar to a lot of rom-coms: Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), a young man with a history of failed relationships, become the platonic friend of Chantry (Zoe Kazan), who is living with a long term boyfriend. He falls for her, and has to decide how to proceed. The background of their respective friends' love lives provides humour and contrast. But this film is a notch above other films in the category.
First, it's actually funny. The quips and banter between characters, particularly between the two main characters, is clever and often hilarious. In fact, the dialogue is the best part of the movie.
Second, the plot is not completely full of contrived, unlikely situations designed to either get the couple together or put them in a "comically" embarrassing predicament. There are a few, but they are not too outlandish and make sense as part of the story.
Third, the ethical issues involved in romantic decisions, such as becoming attracted to someone already committed to another person, are not glossed over. Wallace even refers directly to the attitude (common in rom-coms) that being in love somehow excuses any kind of bad or dishonest behaviour. Wallace has been cheated on himself, and feels it is important to stick to his principles. Chantry's boyfriend is not merely an obstacle to the couple's happy ending; he is a nice person who can be hurt by disloyalty. The movie doesn't treat love as a game, and that's refreshing.
Fourth, it's possible for the audience to understand exactly what the couple see in each other - something I find rare in most romantic comedies. Wallace and Chantry are both charming, clever, funny people who make a connection on many levels, and it's easy for us to imagine them happily together, and to cheer them on.
A very well done, enjoyable and truly romantic movie.