Love at First Sight

Sometimes it's hard to remember that films released on streaming services are eligible for Oscars, probably because it feels like that should not be a thing. But since it is, I am making a conscious effort to watch and review anything and everything that is eligible. There is absolutely no way I am going to get through everything but if nothing else it adds to the data of films for 2023. So our next review is going to be Love at First Sight released on Netflix.

Absolutely amazing chemistry between these two characters. They are very sweet, they’ve got enough in common that it makes sense for them to be together but not so identical that the relationship seems boring. The writing of these two is very well done. You care about them and their investment in each other immediately. That is a special skill, as a writer you play a game with how fast you can make people care about your characters. A lot of it comes from both characters being very grounded and relatable.

When they get separated after the flight and her phone breaks they have no way to contact each other. This is an awesome transition into act 2 and the story feels like a more modern day Serendipity (which is one of my favorite rom coms). Couples finding their way back to each other is always a great story. The idea of fate is a somewhat controversial one but it's one that I think is used in congruence with love properly.

The fact that one of them was going to a wedding and the other to a funeral is actually really upsetting. Especially since Hadley doesn't particularly care about this wedding. Hadley finds out where Oliver is and tries her best to go see him. But of course that’s not how it works. I mentioned Serendipity, a movie where the main couple misses each other by mere seconds over and over again. Much to the frustration of the audience. So obviously there has to be a point where Oliver tries to get to her. But when we start following his side of the story we see that he tries to wait for her at the airport and leaves seconds before she comes out.

So Oliver’s story is even more depressing than anticipated, his mom is still alive but she has cancer and she knows she’s going to die so she has a living memorial. Though I kind of love that idea, it is super sad.

Also really loving how they used Jameela Jamil, like she herself played fate and did what she could to get these two together. It's really sweet actually. I love the personification of concepts. I think it's hard to do and when it's done well it's brilliant. This is on the brilliant side.

When they do finally find each other we see how love at first sight is more of a fantasy than a reality. When you step into the actual circumstances of your life then your choices take over from fate and it's up to you. And I think this movie does an incredible job depicting that.

I am in love with this movie. I don’t think this is going to get any academy attention, it should but it won’t. I think the acting in this rivals some of the best performances from theatrical releases this year. Also I think romantic comedies are an underrated and often dismissed genre as if true quality and human reflection can’t possibly be found in movies marketed to women. When often, the well done ones are the most profound reflections of human interaction. The movie is an absolute 10/10 and honestly would make a perfect back to back watch with Serendipity. I highly recommend.