When We First Met movie review: A middling romantic comedy
By Matt Conway
While it adds some new elements to the romcom subgenere, When We First Met lacks the heart to make an impact.
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Romantic comedies have seemingly disappeared from mainstream theaters, with this Valentine’s Day lacking a marque romance (50 Shades does not count). This is a shame, especially when great romantic comedies like The Big Sick have shown the genre’s ability to pack big laughs as well as heart-tugging moments.
Here to save the day is Netflix, dropping When We First Met just before Valentine’s Day. The film follows Noah, who has regrets about getting friend-zoned by the perfect girl Avery. He is suddenly brought pack to the first day they met, and lives a Groundhog’s Day situation until he gets it right.
When We First Met is nowhere near as cloying or downright creepy as its base premise would suggest, as the film brings a modern worldview to the romcom genre. Sadly though, it’s still more of a mixed bag than a genuine success.
Holding much of the film together is John Whittington’s script, as he has proven himself as a crafty comedic writer with The LEGO Batman Movie. Whittington brings a level of self-awareness that makes this somewhat tired premise work at points. Whenever the film is about to fall into a cliché, the script zags into either a funny or narratively interesting direction. The oddball comedic styling, which is pushed further by The DUFF director Ari Sandel’s, works more than it doesn’t.
It also helps that there’s a talented ensemble involved. In the wrong role, Adam Devine can be obnoxious and over-the-top. Thankfully, When We First Met gives Devine his best leading role yet. He is still able to tap into his wild comedic energy, but that is matched with equal measures of humanity. Alexander Daddario, Robbie Amell, and Shelley Henning make for a solid supporting cast, and their natural chemistry is present throughout.
When We First Met isn’t the first film to incorporate a Groundhog Day concept, repeating the same situations but through different contexts. The problem is that the concept isn’t utilized effectively. It feels more like a gimmick than an effective device, as the script doesn’t fails to make each of the situations feel fresh.
The biggest shame is the lack of an effective romance. Despite the actors having promising chemistry with one another, the romance angle gets sidetracked by its twisty narrative. That combined with the lack of effective character development makes it impossible for the audience to being attached.
When We First Met is a slightly amusing exercise, but its lack of depth makes it more forgettable than it should be. If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day movie, just watch The Big Sick!
When We First Met is now steaming on Netflix.