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 136! 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, I decided to dive into the 2019 rom-com “Plus One,” directed by the duo Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer. So there I was, snuggled up on my couch, ready to be swept off my feet by some cinematic love story magic, and what do I get? Well, let’s just say my popcorn was the highlight of my evening.
The movie follows long-time friends Ben and Alice, played by Jack Quaid (yes, the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, talk about Hollywood royalty genes!) and Maya Erskine (you might know her from “PEN15,” which, by the way, is hilariously awkward in the best way). They hatch a plan to survive wedding season by being each other’s plus-ones to avoid the dreadful singles tables. I mean, the concept itself isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but I was here for it, ready to be charmed and laugh my socks off.
But here’s the kicker, folks – I found it to be just… okay. And by okay, I mean it teetered on the edge of the yawning abyss of boredom. You’ve got your standard rom-com recipe: mix two friends, sprinkle in some weddings, add a dash of romantic tension, bake under the “will they, won’t they” trope, and voila! Yet, somehow, it lacked the spices that make your heart do the salsa dance.
Don’t get me wrong, there were parts I enjoyed. The wedding scenes were like flipping through a bridal magazine, dreaming of open bars and dancing. And there were a couple of chuckles here and there, thanks to some witty lines and awkward situations that are the bread and butter of rom-coms.
But, and it’s a big but, I just wasn’t feeling the chemistry between Ben and Alice. It was like watching two really good actors… acting. You know what I mean? When you can almost see the cogs turning in their heads, reminding them to look longingly into each other’s eyes? It just didn’t click for me.
I mean “Plus One” was a decent way to pass the time, but it won’t be making my list of all-time favorite rom-coms anytime soon. It was a little too predictable and formulaic for my taste, but I can appreciate the solid performances and the occasional laugh-out-loud moment. If you’re in the mood for a light, fluffy movie that won’t require too much brain power, then sure, give it a watch. But if you’re looking for something truly original and groundbreaking, you might want to keep searching.
Ciao for now!
Roger