'Isn't It Romantic' A Review

Isn't It Romantic rom-com satire about a NYC architect Natalie(Rebel Wilson) unlucky in and pessimistic about romance she grinds it out at her job frequently undermined by co-workers. After being mugged and hitting her head she awakens in an alternate rom-com version of her life. A client of her firm, handsome glob trotting business man Blake(Liam Hemsworth), falls in love with her but during the process she realizes her sense of self not her relationship with a man is what could be the missing link.

Wilson brings her considerable charisma to bear in what is, in essence, a by-the-numbers rom-com despite its meta attempt at subverting the genre. The script consistently veers more toward convention and as such Wilson's brashness, wildness, and fluid physical comedy aren't necessarily properly utilized. She's still a compelling lead but her singular skills aren't really incorporated. Hemsworth is decent enough as the faux-Richard Gere but isn't given much to do outside of play the same 2D beats over and over again, not to mention it is almost impossible not to compare him to his more dynamic brother. Adam DeVine as Natalie's best friend Josh once again proves he is one of his generations under utilized talents, grounding scenes in his affable periodically sophomoric charm. The movie doesn't squander Wilson's and DeVine's proven and infectious chemistry but it doesn't lean into it either. The cast is mostly wonderful, with some inspired choices, but the story they inhabit doesn't live up to their potential.

Isn't It Romantic is a short and sweet funny little twist on the rom-com but suffers under the burden of convention much like last years I Feel Pretty it doesn't do anything particularly new with the genre but what is new is the lead. Hopefully as time goes by Hollywood will continue the gradual change it has instituted in the past couple years and we will get more and more rom-coms(and all genres for that matter) lead by different types of women.

Rent It.