Charlie Day (“Horrible Bosses”) and Jenny Slate (“SNL” and “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On”) are very likable comics, and they have nice chemistry together in this rom-com. Unfortunately, they are not quite enough to make this movie more than just an ok rental. The plot is original and creative, but too many scenes fall flat (although there are a few very funny ones).
Peter (played by Day) is a mid-level executive for a retirement living company. It’s a dead-end, boring job, but he’s reluctant to take a risk and move on. Peter has been living with his school teacher girlfriend, Ann (played by Gina Rodriguez), for the last six years. Separately, Emma (played by Slate) is a receptionist for an orthodontist who works at the same office building as Peter. Emma has been dating a personal trainer, Noah (played by Scott Eastwood), for about 1&1/2 years. Peter and Emma are in love with their partners and hope to go the distance with them.
Both Peter and Emma are suddenly dumped by their lovers who have left them for new partners. Peter and Emma are mourning their losses when they meet in the stairwell of their office building. In their desperation to get their lovers back, they concoct a “diabolical” plan to bust up their lovers’ new relationships and then get their former partners back. In the process of doing so, they become friends.
It’s an original rom-com plot, and I anticipated that it would be better with two terrific stars, but it was often flat. The movie was definitely “missing something” (perhaps Noah and Ann not being better developed).
Will their plan succeed? We all know where this will wind up, but just about all rom-coms are predictable. Their merit depends on just how much fun they are taking you there.
There aren’t too many good films at the movie theaters now, so, if you like Slate and/or Day and are in the mood for a few laughs, this movie will probably suffice. If, however, you are looking for a rom-com classic, then watch or re-watch “Notting Hill,” “When Harry Met Sally,” or “Definitely, Maybe.” I don’t know about you, but when I left this movie, the only thing I said “I Want You Back” to was my time!
Charlie Day ("Horrible Bosses") and Jenny Slate ("SNL" and "Marcel the Shell With Shoes On") are very likable comics, and they have nice chemistry together in this rom-com. Unfortunately, they are not quite enough to make this movie more than just an ok rental. The plot is original and creative, but too many scenes fall flat (although there are a few very funny ones). Peter (played by Day) is a mid-level executive for a retirement living company. It's a dead-end, boring job, but he's reluctant to take a risk and move on. Peter has been living with his school teacher girlfriend, Ann (played by Gina Rodriguez), for the last six years. Separately, Emma (played by Slate) is a receptionist for an orthodontist who works at the same office building as Peter. Emma has been dating a personal trainer, Noah (played by Scott Eastwood), for about 1&1/2 years. Peter and Emma are in love with their partners and hope to go the distance with them. Both Peter and Emma are suddenly dumped by their lovers who have left them for new partners. Peter and Emma are mourning their losses when they meet in the stairwell of their office building. In their desperation to get their lovers back, they concoct a "diabolical" plan to bust up their lovers' new relationships and then get their former partners back. In the process of doing so, they become friends. It's an original rom-com plot, and I anticipated that it would be better with two terrific stars, but it was often flat. The movie was definitely "missing something" (perhaps Noah and Ann not being better developed). Will their plan succeed? We all know where this will wind up, but just about all rom-coms are predictable. Their merit depends on just how much fun they are taking you there. There aren't too many good films at the movie theaters now, so, if you like Slate and/or Day and are in the mood for a few laughs, this movie will probably suffice. If, however, you are looking for a rom-com classic, then watch or re-watch "Notting Hill," "When Harry Met Sally," or "Definitely, Maybe." I don't know about you, but when I left this movie, the only thing I said "I Want You Back" to was my time!
I Want You Back: Good Lead Actors, But Just OK Rom-Com
I Want You Back: Good Lead Actors, But Just OK Rom-Com
2022-09-06
David
70
7
Funny In Spots, But Too Many Dull Scenes
Nice Pairing of Slate and Day
User Rating : No Ratings Yet !
7
