‘Your Place or Mine’ Review

Over the last two decades, romantic comedies have been on a downward spiral, resulting from studios churning out monotonous derivatives and negative publicity from disappointed fans. Despite several attempts to save the genre, romantic comedies seem to be a shadow of themselves. However, "Your Place or Mine" breaks that jinx, proving to be a charming movie that rejuvenates the romantic comedy genre. With Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher in lead roles as Debbie and Peter, the movie reunites viewers with the iconic romance-filled stories that the genre is known for.

The movie follows the platonic friendship between Debbie and Peter that began after their encounter at a poker game in 2003. With shared interests in literature, the two become friends and stay connected over the years. In the present day, Debbie is a single mother and accountant, while Peter is a brand consultant living in New York. Despite being miles apart, they maintain a strong bond that makes Peter's ex-girlfriends, who never met Debbie, know of her existence.

When Debbie has to take an accounting class in New York, both friends decide to switch lives for a week, forcing them to confront the contradictions in their stories. McKenna uses various elements from contemporary romantic comedies to construct a tight narrative around the couple. With the liberal use of split-screen, viewers can see how Debbie and Peter have managed to stay close over the years through their flirty, casual banter and inside jokes. This foundation makes what they withhold from each other all the more glaring.

Witherspoon and Kutcher's chemistry and experience in the genre make their performances captivating. The gallery of supporting characters, including Minka (played by Zoë Chao), Peter's ex-girlfriend, and Debbie's millennial fairy godmother, adds more humor to the movie. Meanwhile, Jesse Williams, who plays Theo, a book editor, and Tig Notaro, who plays Debbie's closest friend, Alicia, bring a droll humor to their characters.

In conclusion, "Your Place or Mine" is an enjoyable and charming movie that sticks to the traditional blueprint of romantic comedies while still having moments of subversion. The movie is a welcome addition to a genre that has been in a slump over the last two decades.

how he really feels.

Your Place or Mine’s screenplay is a testament to the power of genre conventions. It’s been said that romantic comedies are predictable, but that isn’t a flaw. The genre operates on a cycle of comfort and reassurance, of revisiting familiar tropes and situations that viewers love. By providing the expected, McKenna is able to tell a story that feels both contemporary and classic. Her script is full of warmth, humor, and a lot of heart. It’s also smartly constructed and carefully paced, ensuring that the viewer is never bored or restless.

Another strength of Your Place or Mine is its focus on character development. Debbie and Peter are well-drawn, three-dimensional characters with flaws and complexities. Witherspoon and Kutcher have great chemistry, and their performances are nuanced and naturalistic. They bring depth and humanity to their roles, making it easy for the viewer to care about them and root for their happiness.

The film also addresses relevant issues, such as the challenges of single parenthood, the fear of commitment, and the importance of communication in relationships. McKenna does a good job of exploring these themes without being preachy or didactic. She lets the characters’ actions and dialogue speak for themselves, allowing the viewer to draw their own conclusions.

In addition, Your Place or Mine boasts gorgeous cinematography by Seamus Tierney. The film captures the beauty and energy of Los Angeles and New York, as well as the contrasts between the two cities. The production design by Theresa Guleserian is also noteworthy, as it effectively conveys the characters’ personalities and lifestyles through their surroundings.

Overall, Your Place or Mine is a delightful romantic comedy that proves the genre isn’t dead. It’s a charming, funny, and heartfelt movie that will appeal to fans of the genre and newcomers alike. With its talented cast, smart screenplay, and polished production values, it’s a film that deserves to be seen and appreciated. Perhaps this film is a sign that the romantic comedy will make a comeback, and that we can look forward to more quality movies in the future.

Distributor: Netflix

Production companies: Aggregate Films, Hello Sunshine, Lean Machine

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Jesse Williams, Zoë Chao, Wesley Kimmel, Griffin Matthews, Rachel Bloom, Shiri Appleby, Vella Lovell, Tig Notaro, Steve Zahn

Director-screenwriter: Aline Brosh McKenna

Producers: Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan, Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Aline Brosh McKenna

Executive producer: Merri D. Howard

Cinematographer: Florian Ballhaus

Production designer: William Arnold

Costume designer: Sophie DeRakoff

Editor: Chris A. Peterson

Composer: Siddhartha Khosla

Casting director: Ronna Kress

Rated PG-13, 1 hour 51 minutes