I Want You Back follows the romcom format, but stands out with a fun and gushy center

When it comes to the formula of a romantic comedy, the beginning and end are always the same. The ending, in particular, is predictable. This isn’t to say romcoms are not fun, I really enjoy them. We may know how things will end, but what matters is the center, this is how these movies get the chance to stand out from the rest. How fun or surprising or absolutely adorable was their journey? I Want You Back absolutely does stand out with a fun and gushy center.

I Want you Back follows Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate), two strangers we know will fall in love by the end of the movie. Their journey begins with Peter and Emma’s partners breaking up with them.

Peter’s longtime girlfriend Anne (Gina Rodriguez) breaks up with him because he’s not adventurous or fun enough, or some lame excuse like that. Peter is an awesome guy, though, this is clearly Anne’s loss. But we know she did him a favor in the long run. Similar to Peter’s story, Noah (Scott Eastwood) breaks up with Emma after 18-months. Their breakup makes more sense, the two don’t have much in common.

Heartbroken, Peter and Emma meet in the stairs by coincidence. They work in the same building and took a crying break in the stairs. The two decide to call each other when they feel like reaching out to their former partners. It works, and they begin to form a friendship before coming up with a plan: Seduce each other’s partners so that they break up with their current partners and get back together with them.

I Want You Back introduces new romcom phrases you’ll fall in love with

Does their plan work? Of course not, you know this! But it’s everything that happens in their journey that’s so fun and refreshing from other romcoms. You’ll love it and it’s the perfect Valentine’s Day watch. The movie also introduces new romcom phrases such as “slow burn romance,” which is when romantic feelings take their time to grow on you. This is so real. Love is not always (I’d say hardly ever) at first-sight. And there’s also an airplane safety mask metaphor that’s too cute and my new favorite.

I Want You Back is streaming on Amazon Prime Video Feb. 11.