Oooohh it’s the biggest Hallmark holiday of them all, Valentine’s Day. Rejoice…or don’t. Views vary greatly on the worth of February 14th as far as being a day to celebrate. Depending on your current relationship status, one could either love or loathe the day heart-y happiness. Moviegoers often have a similar feelings when it comes to the bombardment of romantic movies that seem to pop up every single year. Thankfully, director Todd Strauss-Schulson hopes to give the people a slight reprieve from what has become the norm during this time of year with a romantic comedy from a complete different perspective. Isn’t It Romantic could just be the unexpected love affair that you didn’t know you needed.
Natalie (Rebel Wilson) is an architect who works harder building walls around her heart than she does designing buildings. To her, romance is just a big waste of time and is the quickest path to disappointment. Priding herself as a realist versus a romantic, she appears destined for single life despite encouragement from co-workers/friends that wish otherwise for the sour pessimist. Whitney (Betty Gilpin) and Josh (Adam Devine) are two of Natalie’s are her biggest supporters but it’ll take an act of God to make Natalie realize it.
Upon being knocked unconscious thanks to a clash with a mugger in the subway, Natalie awakens to an entirely new reality. It would seem that the normally “invisible” girl has now become the center of every man’s attention. Everyone is making a play at the newly crowned queen and it’s driving her batty. Things get even crazier when she realizes that she can’t even curse, and that isn’t zany enough…random people start breaking out in choreographed song and dance! Natalie finally accepts the inevitable, she’s stuck in some type of alternate reality rom-com! The situations only get crazier and funnier as Natalie starts to learn what a good romance is all about.
Kudos to Isn’t It Romantic for giving audiences something a little less traditional and fun to occupy their time during the mid part of February. This movie is fun because it pokes fun at the very idea of what it’s supposed to be. Rebel Wilson shines in her role as the reluctant romantic. Her humor doesn’t seem forced and she doesn’t go too far over the top for laughs. This could be her best performance in a lead role which could open the door for other opportunities.
The main co-star is funnyman Adam Devine, who worked alongside Rebel Wilson in the Pitch Perfect franchise. It’s clear from the start that they have good chemistry and know how to play off of each other’s strengths. Betty Gilpin joins the fun as a supporting character that gets to show a completely different side of herself once the story gets flipped upside down. Then there those that get to be the “eye candy” in both realities. You can thank Priyanka Chopra, Tom Ellis and Liam Hemsworth for doing such fantastic jobs at just being beautiful.
Where this one really excels is in its ability to connect with just about everyone that would be remotely interested in seeing this movie as there’s a bit of something for everyone to enjoy. You’ve got your comedy, romance, fantasy and even a few musical moments to enjoy. Isn’t It Romantic doesn’t really stand still long enough to bore you, so just go with the flow and have fun. Trust me, there are worse decisions you could make when choosing a mutually enjoyable flick. Your funny bone will thank you. You can see Isn’t It Romantic in theaters starting today.
