I Want You Back: Film Review
I love a romantic comedy and feel like I haven’t seen a really great one in forever. I thought I Want You Back could fix this issue but it’s just good, not amazing.
The film stars Jenny Slate and Charlie Day as Emma and Peter, who meet each other when they’re crying in the stairwell of their office building. They are both going through heartbreak – Emma has been dumped by Noah (Scott Eastwood) and Peter has been ditched by Anne (Gina Rodriguez). As the saying goes, misery loves company, and the pair become each other’s sad, wallowing companions. One day, they devise a plan to win their exes back, despite them being in new relationships with Ginny (Clark Backo) and Logan (Manny Jacinto).
I assumed that I knew every beat this movie was going to take and I was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t pan out exactly like that. They are some predictable moments, of course, but it’s not as ridiculously obvious and formulaic as some romcoms can be. There are a few laughs to be had here and plenty of cringe-inducing or amusing scenes but I would have liked a touch more comedy in the romantic comedy.
My favourite aspect of the film is Slate. She made this film better than it might have been without her. Her style of acting may not be for everyone but I love it and I couldn’t stop watching her. I’m drawn to her quirky personality and the way she delivers her lines. Her platonic chemistry with Day is fantastic and I enjoyed watching their repartee. Their scenes together – particularly in the first half – are my favourites, and the film is less fun when they are kept apart, although they certainly get themselves into sticky situations! Day is his usual hilarious self and I didn’t dislike his performance; I just find Slate’s approach more relatable.
The supporting characters are pretty one-dimensional, especially the new partners, so the acting is just fine. Eastwood’s Noah is the gorgeous personal trainer and nutrition expert who is now with a stunning chef (ugh!), and Rodriguez’s Anne is an uptight, sensible woman who thinks an arty, spiritual type like Logan is what she needs.
I Want You Back may not be the finest romantic comedy to ever exist, but I thought it was lovely and entertaining and that’s good enough for me.
On Prime Video from Friday 11th February