The latest spin on the romantic comedy genre comes from star Rebel Wilson and her upcoming film “Isn’t It Romantic?” The film decides that the best, funniest take on the typical rom-com is a meta-commentary on the genre, poking fun at typical tropes while simultaneously embracing them for comedic value. And as we’ve seen in recent rom-coms like “I Feel Pretty,” all this is the result of a bonk on the head. Exciting…
Here’s the synopsis:
New York City architect Natalie works hard to get noticed at her job but is more likely to be asked to deliver coffee and bagels than to design the city’s next skyscraper. And if things weren’t bad enough, Natalie, a lifelong cynic when it comes to love, has an encounter with a mugger that renders her unconscious, waking to discover that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare—a romantic comedy—and she is the leading lady.
Granted, without seeing the film, it’s hard to be certain, but “Isn’t It Romantic?” sure does look like another “I Feel Pretty.” The latter film received plenty of criticism ahead of its release for its portrayal of beauty standards while making fun of anyone that wasn’t a model. Sadly, Rebel Wilson is a funny woman, given the right material, but this send-up of rom-coms just looks like yet another rom-com. Oh well.
Wilson stars as Natalie, alongside Liam Hemsworth (the Hemsworth that isn’t Thor), Adam Devine (that guy from “Workaholics“), and Priyanka Chopra (the Bollywood superstar searching for her first big US hit).
Todd Strauss-Schulson directs from a screenplay by Erin Cardillo and Dana Fox & Katie Silberman. Strauss-Shulson is probably best known for his work on the horror-comedy, “The Final Girls.”
“Isn’t It Romantic?” hits theaters in time for Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2019. Here’s the first trailer:
