Isn’t It Romantic?

The romcom is having a Moment right now, so it’s not surprising that a movie like Isn’t It Romantic? got greenlit to act as a sort of post-ironic, winking takedown of one of cinema’s oldest (and most old-fashioned) genres. Rebel Wilson stars as Natalie, a single gal living in New York City just trying to get through the day without too many indignities happening. Her apartment is a dump, she’s talked over and ignored at her job, and she’s bombarded with Sex Sells advertising like we all are, promising that if she just buys enough stuff, her One True Love will sweep her off her feet and she’ll live happily ever after. She’s got a realistic cynical streak, and she really, REALLY hates the glossy, over-idealized unreality of romantic comedies. At the insistence of her best friend Whitney (Betty Gilpin), she opens herself up to the possibility that the world isn’t a complete dumpster fire, and promptly gets mugged for her purse on a subway platform. In the scuffle, she hits her head and BAM – wakes up in shiny, glossy, romantic comedy world, complete with full style makeover, incredible apartment, and simmering romantic tension with her best guy friend (Adam Devine) as well as a new fling with a handsome stranger (Liam Hemsworth). I’ll admit I had high hopes for this movie, but recognized that all the signs were there for it to be a cringey trainwreck as well. As we discussed with Ready Player One, simply pointing out things that other movies have done and saying DO YOU GET THIS REFERENCE does not a great movie make. So did this end up sweeping me off my feet or knocking me out cold? Well…

Much more the former than the latter, mainly due to a smart script that is more interested in developing Natalie as a real, interesting, three-dimensional woman who is able to grow and change in ways that feel authentic and earned. Combined with excellent supporting performances (especially from a giddily hilarious Hemsworth) and dazzling production design, the end result leaves you feeling the best kind of fizzy happy that only a good romcom can provide.

Some thoughts: 

• Oh god, the youths sitting behind me didn’t recognize that the movie Whitney is watching is The Wedding Singer and I just died a little inside.
  
• I was so pleased that Natalie is an architect instead of like, a handkerchief designer, or a magazine florist, or some other bullshit made up job for women in romantic comedies.
  
• One of the best things about the entire production design of this movie is the little details in the background. The parking signs change to things like FROM NOW TO ETERNITY, FALL IN LOVE, and TIL DEATH DO US PART. Or the posters on the subway that say “See someone, say something” – that really killed me.
  
• And there are some fantastic homages to romantic comedy hall-of-fame, like the outfit Natalie wears from Pretty Woman to go home from the hospital. Pretty much all her clothes are amazing, honestly, and since we live in a world where it STILL remains nearly impossible for plus-sized women to find fashionable clothes that actually fit and are meant to convey a sense of confidence and self-worth, this is really remarkable. 
  
• I know some reviews complained that all the references to other romcoms were lazy, or simply pointing out “hey this is a thing in romcoms” and expecting that to be the joke, but I actually disagree? I thought it was a refreshing look at tropes that, when compiled together, can be really harmful. Like the Gay Best Friend having no plans whatsoever, ever, or the main conflict at work being gearing up for “The Big Presentation.” It’s pointing out that for a romcom to actually encourage any real emotional honesty, there needs to be recognizable stakes and characters that go beyond two-dimensional stereotypes, and then putting its money where its mouth is.
  
• Priyanka Chopra might honestly be the most beautiful woman in the world, and it’s unfair that she’s got pretty great comedic timing here too.
  
• It’s unnerving how much Liam Hemsworth sounds exactly like Chris Hemsworth. If you close your eyes, their voices are nearly indistinguishable. Since I’ve only seen him in the Hunger Games franchise, it was pretty delightful getting to hear his actual accent!
  
• Related, what is in the water in the Hemsworth household, because it just doesn’t seem fair that the whole family is this charming, talented, funny, and gorgeous. I have a lot more respect for Liam’s comedic chops after this film, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
  
• Maybe the best line reading I’ve seen so far this year was Brandon Scott Jones’ “…Do you want weed?” I think I laughed so hard I cried. 

I honestly loved this movie. It felt sweet in all the best ways, and the giant climactic “I love me” moment actually felt earned. I think this is the movie that I Feel Pretty wanted to be but failed so miserably at. It feels revolutionary in a way that doesn’t feel forced – a plus-size female lead who’s not being made the butt of the joke but is simply human, a person learning and growing and becoming better by demanding better. The filmmakers take the groundwork laid before and say “this was good, but wouldn’t it be better if…?” and deliver something modern and interesting that doesn’t feel pandering. This was one of my favorite surprises so far of 2019, and I only hope it paves the way for more romcoms of this type in the future.