This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 257! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey there, friends!
So, guess what movie I finally got around to watching? Yep, “Isn’t it Romantic,” directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson, and honestly, I’m kicking myself for not watching it sooner. I loved this film to bits! It’s like, you know how sometimes you’re just in the mood for something that doesn’t take itself too seriously? That’s exactly what I got with this gem.
The movie stars Rebel Wilson as Natalie, an architect in New York City who’s, let’s be real, a bit of a cynic when it comes to love, especially the rom-com variety. She, like, totally despises romantic comedies. Can you blame her? Rom-coms can be so predictable with their perfect endings and over-the-top romantic gestures. But here’s the kicker – after a knock on the head, Natalie wakes up in the middle of a real-life rom-com, complete with all the clichés and tropes you can think of! Cue the cheesy music and ridiculously attractive guys.
Now, Rebel Wilson? She’s a riot. I’ve always appreciated her knack for comedic timing and the way she can, like, totally own a scene. She’s witty, she’s sassy, and her comedic timing is on point. And the confusion mixed with horror as she navigates this sugar-coated world is just priceless. Then there’s Adam Devine, who plays Josh, Natalie’s best friend who might just have a thing for her. Their chemistry? Absolutely adorable. And don’t even get me started on Liam Hemsworth as the handsome client who suddenly shows interest in Natalie. He plays the charming yet shallow romantic interest to a T.
The film does this brilliant thing where it pokes fun at all the absurdities of typical rom-coms – the spontaneous dance numbers (yes, there’s dancing!), the way New York looks suspiciously clean, and even how everyone seems to find parking right in front of their destination (seriously, where does that ever happen?). It’s like the movie is saying, “We know how ridiculous this looks, and we’re totally here for it.”
What I really dig is how the film wraps itself in all the rom-com fluff but also manages to deliver some pretty cool reflections on self-love and being the protagonist of your own life. Natalie’s journey of realizing she doesn’t need anyone to complete her is, you know, pretty empowering. It’s refreshing to see a film that not only makes fun of the formula but also embraces what’s good about it – the hope, the optimism, and the belief in happy endings, even if they’re not what you’d expect.
And, oh boy, the scenes are just packed with eye candy – the colors, the lighting, and the picturesque settings all scream “rom-com paradise.” It’s like stepping into a world where everything is designed to be Instagram-worthy.
Honestly, I laughed so hard during this movie. The jokes are clever, the situations are absurd, and the whole thing is just so much fun.
Oh, and I have to give a shout out to Betty Gilpin. She plays Whitney, Natalie’s assistant-turned-enemy in the rom-com world, and she is absolutely fantastic. The switch from loyal assistant to trope-y “workplace nemesis” had me rolling.
So, yeah, “Isn’t it Romantic” is a sweet, bubbly concoction of fun, self-awareness, and critique wrapped in a sparkly rom-com bow. It’s a love letter to the genre that also manages to cheekily tear it apart. If you’re looking for a light-hearted watch that’s aware of its own silliness, this is it. Put it on your watch list, like, now.
Peace Out, ✌️
Roger