Isn’t It Romantic?
Starring: Rebel Wilson, Adam Devine, Liam Hemsworth, Priyanka Chopra
Directed by: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Rated: PG-13
Ah, the romantic comedy. Isn’t the whole genre so romantic? Wouldn’t it be great if life was like a romantic comedy? Anything could happen at a moment’s notice. You could randomly bump into a guy who turns out to be your soulmate! Your style will always be glamorous. Great music is constantly the soundtrack of your life! Not to mention that random strangers could break out in a musical number at any time! What a life it could be if it were like a romantic comedy.
In Isn’t It Romantic, that life seems just within grasp for young Natalie, a girl who spends all day dreaming that her life will have a fairytale ending like she sees in the movies. That isn’t possible, according to her mother, who bluntly tells her not to be disillusioned by the genre because it’s all lies. When Natalie (Rebel Wilson) grows up, she finds herself stuck in a mundane life in New York City. After being mugged on the subway, Natalie wakes up to see New York to be a perfect, candy-coated world where anything can happen. She finds her dream may be possible after all, when she realizes she’s living in a romantic comedy.
Isn’t it Romantic is a fun movie that plays on the typical tropes we’ve all seen one too many times in romantic comedies. When Natalie wakes up in the “perfect romantic world,” every moment is satirized for its unrealistic nature. Director Todd Strauss Schulson adds homages to multiple iconic films from the genre, including Pretty Woman, When Harry Met Sally and My Best Friend’s Wedding.
A romantic comedy can’t function without its stars, and they shine bright in Isn’t It Romantic.
It’s great to see Rebel Wilson in a leading role with humor and depth. She shines as Natalie, the cynic who wants nothing to do with romance films. There is a believability to her character. She is very relatable in her responses to each outlandish scenario in the bizarre romantic comedy world.
One of the standouts of the film is Liam Hemsworth as Blake, Natalie’s love interest. “Is it because he’s a Hemsworth?” That could be a significant factor in why I liked his character. However, he steals all of his scenes with his comedic timing! I’ve never seen him in a comedic role before, but he nails it.
Adam DeVine is another very funny actor who turns in a great performance as Josh, the ultimate great guy/Natalie’s best friend. The film offers some good commentary into the prominent “best friend’s who could be more” narrative in rom-coms.
At times, the film tends to fall into the same tropes that it attempts to subvert. Speaking of falling, I’m not sure how many times Rebel Wilson falling can be played for laughs, but let’s say it’s a bit overplayed. Despite those things, I can’t deny that this is still a fun movie with heart.
Isn’t it Romantic tackles rom-com clichès in a fun and refreshing way. Don’t miss this Valentine’s Day flick!
My Rating: 7/10
*All images belong to Warner Brothers Pictures