MOVIE REVIEW: LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHTMOVIE REVIEW 0:00 / 0:00 Love at First Sight On December 20th, on her way to her father’s second wedding, Hadley Sullivan (played by Haley Lu Richardson) misses her flight to London by four minutes. This is not surprising. She is late 21% of the time, which, coincidently is the average battery life of her cellphone. While waiting for the next flight out, she heads for a re-charging station and meets Oliver Jones (played by Ben Hardy) who is punctual 94% of the time, which, coincidently is the average battery life on his phone. He is waiting to board that same flight to London. Hadley and Oliver click, hence the title of this movie: Love at First Sight. After they both board the plane, Oliver’s seat belt malfunctions. He winds up sitting next to Hadley for the next six hours and forty-seven minutes, time during which the couple’s on-screen chemistry is simmering and sweet. Before they part ways in the London airport, their attempt to exchange information is thwarted. The viewer is left to wonder if they will ever re-connect. However, I didn’t worry too much because the movie is a romantic comedy, for goodness’ sake. Here’s why I enjoyed the film. The Music: Paul Saunderson does a terrific job of choosing music that both complements and enhances scenes. Right off, the opening song, Everything Goes My Way, drew me in with its upbeat rhythmic chant: “Oh can you hear the sound now, Everbody catch my wave, I can never leave this town now…”  I liked the soundtrack so much I tracked down several of the songs and added them to my music library. The Cinematography:  Cinematographer, Luke Bryant, as well as the set and art directors, provided visual treats in almost every scene. I stopped the movie several times just to check out the color compositions in the frames. Even in the most mundane airport/airplane settings, Bryant creates complementary combinations of oranges and greens in a muted, warm gauzy light. I don’t want to reveal any plot spoilers but let’s just say that the wedding scenes and a Shakespeare-themed gathering are spectacular, a lush display of gorgeous shades and shapes. The Narrator:  I loved the inclusion of Jameel Jamil as narrator. With her clever observations and tongue-in-cheek humor, she instantly set the tone of the film. She tells us that everything happens for a reason; that this is not a story about love, instead it is a story about fate or maybe statistics, depending on who you ask. Throughout, Jamil shares her thoughts and predictions in entertaining voiceovers. Her character also appears as a flight attendant, customs official, bus driver, and funeral attendee. Jamil’s ubiquitous and opportune appearances assures the viewer (at least this viewer) that all will end well.             The Directing:  Vanessa Casswill’s directing is refreshingly nuanced. So much of what is communicated between Oliver and Hadley is understated, conveyed with a slight gesture, a blink, or a word or two. The Screenplay: Katie Lovejoy’s witty screenplay gives both actors lots of pithy, memorable lines. No words are wasted here. But most of all, The Main Characters/Plot: Oliver is all numbers and statistics, trying to control his life by predicting the likelihood of various outcomes. Hadley is all feelings and fuzziness, not quite certain what will come next or even what she wants to come next. Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy do a great job of portraying a delightful relationship that feels equal parts awkward, funny, guileless, warm, and most of all genuine. What I love most is that their attraction doesn’t start with some wild, improbable crush. Instead, right off, their characters speak with each other honestly. As they learn more about each other, they comfort and support one another, giving this rom com lots more depth than you might expect.             So, if you’d like a break from bleak and angsty, check out Love at First Sight. I’m glad I did (Photo by Jen Fariello)Deborah Prum’s fiction has appeared in The Virginia Quarterly Review, Across the Margin, Streetlight and other outlets. Her essays air on NPR member stations and have appeared in The Washington Post, Ladies Home Journal and Southern Living, as well as many other places. Check out her WEBSITE. Check out her DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SERVICES. Check out her PAINTINGS.  APPLE PODCAST SPOTIFY PODCAST