It feels like an annual tradition now that I set aside a post every year for romantic comedies, which is a little depressing since this is honestly a genre I enjoy, but have little opportunity to write about. They've declined to the point where you only get three or four good ones a year. The highest profile romantic comedy of 2022 so far has been "Marry Me," which is notable for having two recognizable stars headlining together. This is so rare these days, "Marry Me" feels like a throwback.
Pop superstar Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) is all set to marry her beau Bastian (Maluma) on live television, as part of a publicity stunt to promote their new single, titled "Marry Me." Of course, right before the big moment she finds out that Bastian was cheating, so on the spur of a moment she finds a random man in the audience and marries him instead. This is math teacher and single father Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson), who was only at the concert to accompany his daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman). John Bradley plays Kat's agent and Sarah Silverman plays Charlie's fellow teacher and gal pal.
As someone who is still miffed that Jennifer Lopez didn't get an Oscar nomination for "Hustlers," it's good to see her headlining. However, the movie is dull, and the character of Kat Valdez is fairly empty. The plot is essentially the same as "Notting Hill," except dumbed down and mostly devoid of charm. I like Lopez and Wilson just fine, and they know how to handle this kind of material. We've seen them do this so many times before. The only wrinkle is how much more invasive and unpleasant the media scrum is in the age of social media and 24/7 news coverage. It's immediately apparent why Charlie would have reservations about putting himself and his kid in this kind of environment. The "Marry Me" song performed a few times during the movie is also not very memorable. If you're the kind of fan who enjoys gawking at JLo's outfits, however, there's plenty of opportunity for that.
Now, on to "I Want You Back," which stars Charlie Day and Jenny Slate as an unlucky pair who have both just been dumped by their significant others for different partners. Peter (Day) has been left by his longtime girlfriend Anne (Gina Rodriguez), while Emma (Jenny) has been left by Noah (Scott Eastwood). Peter and Emma work in the same building and meet by chance, commiserate, and decide to help each other break up their exes' new relationships. Emma will seduce Anne's new boyfriend Logan (Manny Jacinto), while Peter will befriend Noah and steer him away from new girlfriend Ginny (Clark Backo). And you can probably work out what happens from there.
"I Want You Back" is not one of the better romantic comedies out there, but it's written and directed well, by people who clearly care about the comedy, and it has a lot of personality. Logan is a middle school drama teacher, and a lot of the storyline with him and Emma involves staging a junior production of "Little Shop of Horrors." At one point, Jenny Slate has to get in the Audrey outfit and belt "Suddenly Seymour." Meanwhile Noah is a personal trainer, and Peter is forced to get into the best shape in his life to try and keep up with him. I was constantly being caught off guard by clever little moments, like Peter tentatively asking if Emma wants to go out for a drink, and he doesn't even get the whole sentence out of his mouth before we smash cut to the two of them plastered and singing karaoke together later that night. It is genuinely funny stuff.
Compared to the glitz of "Marry Me," "I Want You Back" is much more grounded and realistic, with two leads who resemble normal, schlubby people who exist in a better approximation of the real world. That isn't to say that there isn't still an element of fantasy wish fulfillment involved here, or there aren't plenty of old tropes trotted out. However, it does them well, with impeccable timing, and lets its imperfect characters earn their happy ending.
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