Brand New Old Love

Brand New Old Love is an endearing, light-hearted comedy, filmmaking gem of 2018. Starring the charisma-dripping Arturo Castro, the effortlessly charming Aya Cash, and the comical Josh Brener, the movie paints a picture of friendship, love, vulnerability, disappointment, and the struggle of navigating adult life.

Set in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, the storyline revolves around the intricately woven lives of the main characters. The movie showcases Arturo Castro offerings in the role of Charlie, an impulsive, struggling actor in his late twenties. He's battling against the currents of unfulfilled dreams and unmet expectations. Charlie's carefree persona stands in stark contrast to his stern and goal-centric childhood friend, Hannah, played by Aya Cash.

Hannah is a practical, organized, and disciplined architect who, unlike Charlie, envisions a straight path toward her future. However, like Charlie, Hannah, too, is passing through the unsteady romance waters of her twenties. This romantic comedy positions these two opposite personalities alongside each other, offering the viewers humorous and relatable episodes of their lives and their evolving friendship.

Having been good friends since childhood, Charlie and Hannah make a drunk promise at their high school prom they would marry each other if they were still single at thirty. As their thirtieth birthdays dawn upon them mysteriously still single, Charlie, in a spur-of-the-moment decision that is typical of his character, decides to make good on the should-have-been-forgotten promise. Hannah, unexpecting and taken aback, dismisses this proposition at first, considering it one of Charlie's bizarrely impulsive ideas.

However, following the collapse of a long-term relationship, Hannah stands at the cusp of loneliness and heartbreak, making her reconsider Charlie's unorthodox proposal. She agrees to the platonic marriage, hoping it would bring stability and a sense of companionship in her life. The plot continues with their mutual decision to move in together, marking the start of a new chapter filled with unexpected twists and turns in their lives.

Josh Brener, on the other hand, plays Oscar, their fun-loving, vibrant friend who helps them acclimate to their new life together. Brener brings in the perfect dose of irony and trolling to add a hint of zest to the storyline. Oscar serves as the entertaining ice-breaker, teaching them the key fundamentals of adjusting to a nonromantic married life. He cheerily predicts their experimental marriage wouldn't last a month.

Directed by the talented Cat Rhinehart, Brand New Old Love adds a remarkable spin to the typical friends-to-lovers trope. It offers a fresh, relevant perspective into modern relationships, touching upon the themes of loneliness, failed expectations, casual dating, and the quest for companionship. Rather than offering a fairy tale version of love, the movie sheds light on the messy complexities of adult relationships that keep the viewers hooked on the emotional journey of the characters.

Brand New Old Love explores the humor and challenges that come with the territory of platonic friendships turned marriages. As Hannah and Charlie's commitment to uphold their teenage promise pushes them into more profound emotional territory, they soon find that there are unexpected feelings brewing within this arrangement. The storyline keeps the audience rooting for Hannah and Charlie, drawing them into the quirky world of platonic love, friendship, heartbreak, and the bitter-sweet complexities of romantic relationships.

With the backdrop of an ironic, heartfelt, and amusing script, the film's captivating performances effectively convey the emotional highs and lows the characters face. Arturo Castro's phenomenal portrayal of Charlie's charming yet complex personality and Aya Cash's gripping performance as the no-nonsense Hannah, are outstanding. The on-screen rapport amongst the cast is evident, adding to the cinematic appeal of the movie.

In summary, Brand New Old Love is a mix of hilarity, romance, heartbreak, soul-searching, friendship, and the discovery of love in the most unexpected places. The movie brings forth a great cast, witty script, and a uniquely compelling storyline, making it an unforgettable watch for anyone that appreciates the complexities and humor of love and friendship.