This movie has been out for about a month, and truthfully it was not on my “must see” list, or even “it’s free today let’s go see it” list.
However, the hubby, who is a sucker for the rom-coms, really really really wanted to see it and so we went…today…..after it’s been out for four weeks.
This movie is chock full of clichés and is a parody of all previous rom-coms, by design. That’s what the writers set out to do and were completely successful doing. The movie begins, the opening credits start and we hear Roy Orbison singing Pretty Woman, and first scene is of the TV playing Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts.
We see a plus size young girl (Natalie) fantasizing her life as Julia Roberts. Her Mom, who puts a scoop of ice cream in a tall glass and tops it off with boxed Australian wine, tells her “No one would pay to see you in that kind of movie. They would have to sprinkle the popcorn with Prozac” Followed by and “Someone would marry you for a Visa, that’s about it” Wow just a bit harsh Mom. Natalie skip the Mother’s Day cards at Hallmark.
Fast forward to present day, Natalie (Rebel Wilson) is all grown up, an architect and living alone (of course) in NYC. Her neighborhood is typical dirty congested streets, with Falafel carts on the corner. One cart gets loose and is roaring down the street, the vendor yells at Natalie, “You’re built like a cement truck, stop the cart!!!’ And she does (ouch in more than physical ways).
Natalie lacks confidence and it shows especially at work, where she is a doormat. Her co- worker Josh, and assistant, who’s computer screen saver is of kittens and a banner reading “Pawsitive Vibes” try their best to encourage her confidence, but to no avail.
Taking a page out of last year’s “I Feel Pretty” Natalie suffers a head injury and wakes up a new woman in a new NYC. “NY doesn’t smell like shit anymore. It smells like lavender!” Returning to her dingy apartment, she finds her home to be right out of House Beautiful with a walk in closet filled with perfectly sized shoes and designer clothing “I’m going to love it-not list it” It’s one one-liner after another with featherweight plot lines between. Don’t get me wrong, the one-liners will make you laugh, especially you New Yorkers. “I better go wash up, I was just in the subway. I probably have the Zika virus” Natalie of course meets her Prince Charming (not Richard Gere but Liam Hemsworth) and of course wears the same red gown Julia Roberts wore in Pretty Women, on her fantasy date with Liam. Including the white opera gloves!!
There is of course a flamboyant gay friend, Donny, because that’s on the checklist of rom-
coms.
Women toppling men, who are trying to keep them under their thumbs, again check off the
list.
Prince Charming isn’t, and the long supportive best friend is, again check off the list.
The realization you have to love yourself, to accept love, check check check!!
Let’s talk about the cast, Rebel Wilson perfect as Natalie the overweight, insecure doormat
with a foul mouth and low expectations about life. Adam Devine, as Josh, the faithful best friend of Natalie. I’ve only ever seen him in supporting roles, which he is here. Good casting! Brandon Scott Jones, Donny, the flamboyant gay friend. Excelled at his role Priyanka Chopra, Isabella, yoga ambassador and swimsuit model. Loved the line from Natalie “Yoga ambassador? Ambassadors are for countries not stretching”
Sounds like they had the tools for an above average movie, but the concept is the movies failing. Yes, we know it’s a parody, but it gets old quickly and you know the end before you even start dipping your hand into the popcorn (butter topping no Prozac).
The flash mob dance scene at the end is good, a bit of originality is nice. Love Natalie’s shout out at the end “New York is a shit hole again!” All in all this movie will not harm you, it’s a quick 90 minutes, it’s a predictable happy ending, you could do worse, the theatre was really warm and it was really cold outside……
Isn’t it Romantic, is rated C. If you are a rom-com freak, it is worth a matinee ticket. But, I
think it’s best suited for Red Box, and I would wait for a sizable coupon code.
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