Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson and filled with a star-studded cast, the much-anticipated Valentine day release, Isn’t It Romantic, proves to be more than just a crowd-pleaser. With rom-coms making a comeback into Hollywood, this feel-good satire left its audience with a different type of cynical humor that only this cast could deliver.
The film’s plot revolves around Natalie (Rebel Wilson), a cynical Australian architect living in New York City who despises romantic comedies. Since her childhood, she was always told that true love, the kind you find in the movies, was never made for girls like her. The movie starts off with her assistant and her debating the absurdities of rom coms.
After deciding to become more open towards love, she knocks herself unconscious on the subway as she escapes being mugged and wakes up as the leading lady in a romantic comedy.
Throughout the movie, the theater is filled with laughter as the movie pokes fun at the genre’s clichés. Wilson, relying on her comic persona, leads the film with a characteristic blend of cynicism and humor. The script provides a sense of substance and structure as Wilson carries out her spontaneous one-liners and monologues. On the other hand, the screenplay does not seem to give Liam Hemsworth and Adam DeVine as large of a role as they deserved. Playing the stereotypical, hot guy, Hemsworth is not given the opportunity to shine with his character, and DeVine’s role as the supportive best friend could have been given more substance if the movie did not primarily focus on Wilson. Due to the repetitive jokes and silhouetted screenplay, the movie seemed drawn out at times. However, towards the end, all falls into place as Natalie realizes what she needs to do to escape the rom-com universe.
Isn’t It Romantic does a wondrous job of unveiling the absurd elements that define a rom-com: kissing-in-the-rain, stopping a wedding, the slow-motion run, and so on. Schulson and screenwriters (Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox, and Katie Silberman) do a phenomenal job in creating a parody that both mocks and embraces the stereotypes and tropes of a romantic comedy. The final jab at the genre emphasizes self-worth–a perfect ending for single people on Valentine’s Day. After the unconventional, yet sentimental ending, the movie leaves the viewers with a heartwarming feeling that every rom-com gives.
As a whole, Isn’t It Romantic does not fail to live up to the audience’s expectations. With a combination of humor and an appeal to emotions, the cast highlights the genre’s conventions on a different level. The overall message that the film portrays is well-suited, with the cast reminding us that it is important to first love yourself.
Rating: A-
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