Review: Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff star in the authentic rom-com, ‘WHICH BRINGS ME TO YOU.’ In Theaters January 19th, 2024

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Which Brings Me To You theatrical poster

Which Brings Me To You theatrical poster

After almost hooking up at a wedding, strangers Jane and Will decide to share their eclectic dating history. This authentic rom-com possesses an unexpected nuance that locks you in from the opening scene. Writers Steve Almond, Julianna Baggott, and Keith Bunin nail the complexity of relationships, highlighting the vastly awkward experiences that come with sex and people’s past. Cleverly immersive flashbacks offer us insight into Jane and Will’s current state of affairs, literally and figuratively.

John Gallagher, Jr. and Lucy Hale in Which Brings Me To You

John Gallagher, Jr. and Lucy Hale in Which Brings Me To You

Lucy Hale lives in her sardonic wit stemming from Catholic guilt and all that comes with that upbringing (speaking from personal experience). Nat Wolff is charming and funny. The two have fierce chemistry. Their effortless banter immediately draws you in. A momentary musical duet is simply delicious. In truth, the cumulative trauma from past relationships creates fully fleshed-out, relatable characters. No one will walk away without some personal connection to Jane and Will.

which brings me to you Nat Wolff and Lucy Hale

Nat Wolff and Lucy Hale in Which Brings Me To You


The score from Spencer David Hutchings has the quirky quaintness of rom-com classics like When Harry Met Sally. Additional soundtrack songs are iconic. Britne Oldford‘s cover of “It Had To Be You” is breathtaking. The breezy camerawork from Karina Silva adds to the accessibility of the story. WHICH BRINGS ME TO YOU leans into hope, and we can all use a bit of that these days. Director Peter Hutchings has a gem on his hands.

Only In Theaters on January 19th, 2024

 

Based on the novel WHICH BRINGS ME TO YOU: A NOVEL OF CONFESSIONS by Steve Almond and Julianna Baggott, the film was written by Keith Bunin (Onward) and was directed by Peter Hutchings (The Hating Game).

It stars Lucy Hale (Truth or Dare), Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars), Britne Oldford (Free Guy), Genevieve Angelson (The Upside), Alexander Hodge (“Insecure”) and John Gallagher, Jr. (10 Cloverfield Lane).

In WHICH BRINGS ME TO YOU, two romantic burnouts, Jane and Will, are immediately drawn to each other at a mutual friend’s wedding. After a disastrous hookup in the coatroom, the two spend the next 24 hours together, trading candid confessions of messy histories and heartbreak, on the off chance that this fling might be the real thing. Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff star in this hilarious tale from the team behind The Hating Game.

Run Time: 99 minutes | Rating: Not Rated

Review: Lily James stars in breezy romcom ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

How do you find lasting love in today’s world? For documentary-maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James), swiping right has only delivered an endless stream of Mr. Wrongs, to her eccentric mother Cath’s (Emma Thompson) dismay. For Zoe’s childhood friend and neighbor Kaz (Shazad Latif), the answer is to follow his parents’ example and opt for an arranged (or “assisted”) marriage to a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan. As Zoe films his hopeful journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, chosen by his parents, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a profoundly different approach to finding love.


If you want an updated Jane Austen-esque feature, look no further than WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? As close to the perfect viewing as one can get for Mother’s Day weekend, this authentic script tackles the here and now of dating and familial expectations with heart and laughs, and hidden passion. For film lovers, Zoe’s career is extra compelling. For lovers of reality dating shows, WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? is a fabulous combination of all the reasons why the rom-com never dies. 

Emma Thompson is Zoe’s eccentric mother whose firey energy is a lovely addition to the fully fleshed-out cast. Speaking of mother figures, Shabana Azmi plays Kaz’s mother with a loving sense of protection and tradition. You believe that these two families grew up next to one another. The comfort of their rhythm feels genuine. I would watch a spin-off of these two women raising the children in the early days. They are that compelling, even with their limited screen time.

Shazad Latif, as Kaz, has a quiet confidence that draws you in from the beginning. He possesses something special that makes the audience feel safe around him. Anyone would be lucky to have Kaz as a member of their family. Lily James plays Zoe with ambition, smarts, and girl-next-door sass. This character’s depth, flaws, and strengths equally embraced make the film thoroughly relatable. Dating is complicated, especially now. James embodies the modern-day woman and brings an elegance to Zoe that captures the audience immediately. Latif and James have a chemistry that feels earned.

The script cleverly weaves in James’ modern-day fairytale storytelling and When Harry Met Sally sit-down interviews. The costumes are bold and beautiful with lush set dressing to match. It is an undeniably heartwarming meeting of cultures in its honesty and humor. If you are not crying by the end, check your pulse.

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? will be available in Theaters on May 5, 2023.

 

About Shout! Studios

Shout! Studios is the filmed entertainment production and distribution arm of Shout! Factory, specializing in all aspects of distribution, including theatrical, VOD, digital, DVD/Blu-ray, and broadcast. Shout! Studios works with creators at the forefront of pop culture, driving creative expression and diversity in independent storytelling. Shout! Studios finances, produces, acquires, and distributes an eclectic slate of movies, award-winning animated features, specialty films and series from rising and established talent, filmmakers, and producers. 

Shout’s upcoming releases include romantic-comedy What’s Love Got to Do with It? directed by Shekhar Kapur, written and produced by Jemima Khan, and starring Lily James, Shazad Latif, Shabana Azmi, and Oscar®-winner Emma Thompson, action-comedy Showdown At The Grand, starring Oscar®-winner Terrence Howard and Dolph Lundgren, and neo-Western thriller Head Count starring Aaron Jaukobenko, Melanie Zanetti, and Ryan Kwanten. Recent releases include epic fantasy adventure The Magic Flute, executive produced by Roland Emmerich and starring Jack Wolfe and Oscar®-winner F. Murray Abraham, the sci-fi comedy-drama Linoleum, starring Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn, Oliver Stone’s JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass, documentary feature Refuge from levelFilm, Katie Couric Media and Artemis Rising, the critically acclaimed Shout! Studios original Western Old Henry, starring Tim Blake Nelson, comedy-drama Language Lessons, directed by Natalie Morales and starring Morales and Mark Duplass, comedy-drama Misbehaviour, starring Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Standing Up, Falling Down, starring Ben Schwartz and Billy Crystal.


 

Jeremy’s Review: Tom O’Brien’s ‘Manhattan Romance’ Is Fun But Hits Familiar Notes

ManhattanRomanceStillIt’s no surprise that Tom O’Brien‘s Manhattan Romance feels like a Woody Allen film. Most of Allen‘s most successful romantic comedies take place in Manhattan and have a tremendous amount of dialogue so in this sense, Manhattan Romance emulates Allen. The circumstances befalling his protagonist, Danny (played by O’Brien himself), and the absence of the signature Allen comedic touches distinguish the film from those of Allen. But they tread in the same water. That isn’t to say that Manhattan Romance is in the same league as films like Annie Hall or Manhattan, but could it be a distant relative? Read More →