“Newly dumped thirty-somethings Peter and Emma team up to sabotage their exes’ new relationships and win them back for good.” -IMDB
Two films are being released in 2022 which, I would argue, are here to save the rom-com. In March, we will see the release of The Lost City with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum (featuring the most amazing cameo of all time: a dreamy, somehow better looking with age, Brad Pitt). Perfect casting. The other is I Want You Back with Jenny Slate and Charlie Day. Also perfect casting. These two quirky, hysterical actors brought their full arsenal of charm to this film, and succeeded in making it a sweet, nostalgic-yet-fresh take on the rom-com. Let me clarify…
As we meet Emma and Peter, they are being dumped by their partners and left for other people. The two are left devastated and, as they continue to grieve their past relationships, they have their own meet-cute moment while both are crying in the stairwell of their shared office building. The two build a friendship and begin concocting a plan to break their exes up with their current partners, in order to win them back. From there, you can probably guess where the plot goes. But knowing where the plot goes doesn’t make this film any less enjoyable. In fact, it helps bring a nostalgic 90s rom-com feel to the movie.
Yet, there is still a freshness in this movie that I think originates from Jenny Slate and Charlie Day. The two of them are such popular actors because they bring an authenticity to event their most outlandish characters. Those artsy types are always saying acting is about reacting, and I think that is where Slate and Day shine. Whether they are being broken up with, jumping off of second story balcony’s, or singing in a middle school play (all of which happen in the movie), they bring a sweetness and vulnerability to their characters that leaves you rooting for these two weirdos until the very end.
It’s a rough time in the world right now and if you’re looking for a sweet, easy rom-com to distract you for a little while, then I Want You Back is the film for you.
Rating: 7 out 10 Claire Bears
🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻
If you like this movie, you should also watch: Friends with Benefits, Silver Linings Playbook
Streaming: Amazon Prime
With: Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, Scott Eastwood, Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto
Directed By: Jason Orley
Let Me Clarify 