Love Again review
Love Again is the kind of rom-com/romance drama that rarely makes its way to theaters these days. The genre has all but been relegated to various streaming platforms thanks to their low-budget demands and easily created buzz over a weekend.
Ironically, Love Again has gotten a second chance to find an audience thanks to its arrival on Netflix after a snoozy box office run where it earned an underwhelming $12 million against a $9 million budget. That’s a good thing as the feel-good film deserved a chance to earn some love of its own.
It’s been two years since Mira Ray (Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Citadel) faced an unimaginable tragedy witnessing the death of her longtime boyfriend, John (Arinze Kene). Her sister, Suzy (Sofia Barclay), has been an understandable support system yet is worried Mira is content to rest in her grief.
Inspired by the owner of their favorite restaurant, Mira attempts a new approach of navigating her grief by talking to John. More specifically, texting his old phone.
The two-year gap helps explain what could have been a major plot hole as Rob Burns (Sam Heughan, SAS: Red Notice), a magazine writer, just got a work phone that coincidentally is using John’s old number. Rob didn’t want the work phone, but he’s really loathing his latest assignment — doing a profile on pop legend Celine Dion (who’s also an executive producer of the film).
A music head and passionate Knicks fan, Rob doesn’t get the appeal of Dion’s music at all ascribing love as an emotion between two delusional people lying to themselves until someone wants out.
When he starts reading the outpouring of emotions from Mira’s texts, Rob begins to think differently if not outright confused how he’s falling for someone he’s never spoken to even with an emoji.
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One of the interesting twists of Love Again, inspired by Sofie Cramer’s novel Text for You, is how Rob takes the role typically assigned to the woman in a rom-com. He’s the romantic cynic who’s got the emotionally invested co-worker friends Lisa (Lydia West) and Billy (Russell Tovey, Supergirl) who encourage him to pursue this unusual chance at love setting up a series of wacky and unpredictable moments.
Dion’s supporting role brings a charming element as she starts off annoyed with this plebian who isn’t enchanted by her music and eventually becomes a love mentor to Rob. It’s a fun dynamic. Dion has some great moments leaning into the demanding diva used to folks hanging on her every word with a sweet caring side to her.
Director/Screenwriter Jim Strouse has solid instincts in terms of how outlandish to make scenes — just enough to be funny without being ridiculous — and how much emphasis to place on his leads’ emotional state.
Rob and Mira both have some walls to break down to fully welcome this new opportunity. Strouse affords them that time instead of rushing to pair them up and devote the majority of the film on two pretty people in romantic bliss.
Love is a bit messier and Strouse wisely shows the challenges, thrills and warts of a real relationship.
Priyanka Jonas and Heughan don’t directly interact until closer to the film’s halfway point, which makes their encounters more meaningful. They’ve got a solid chemistry making for a believable pairing thanks to the work done earlier establishing their characters as people first and a couple second.
Barclay, West and Tovey provide strong supporting roles without being obnoxious comic relief. They add to the film rather than prove to be annoying distractions.
Love Again is a charming rom-com with meaningful dramatic moments and likable enjoyable characters worth rooting for another chance at true love.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Photo Credit: Screen Gems