Funny Thing About Love

Funny Thing About Love is an engaging 2021 romantic-comedy directed by Sam Irvin and featuring an impressive ensemble led by Jon Heder, Barry Corbin, and Summer Bellessa. With its charming character portrayals, clever writing, and humorous exploration of love’s unpredictability, "Funny Thing About Love" encapsulates the often thrilling, sometimes excruciating journey towards finding one’s soulmate.

The lively plot is centered around the character of Bryan Callen, portrayed by the comedic powerhouse Jon Heder, the star of the cult-favorite "Napoleon Dynamite". Bryan is a successful workaholic architect who has been putting his love life on the back burner. Prioritizing his career over his personal life leads Bryan into a string of unsuccessful romantic exploits. However, the tide starts to turn when he decides it’s high time to find love and settle down.

The plot thickens and the comedy ensues once Bryan proceeds with his grand plan. He sets out on a humorous adventure filled with countless, unexpected and awkward situations. Along the way, he crosses paths with engaging and idiosyncratic characters who inadvertently influence his pursuit of love.

Among these characters is the eccentric and wise Uncle Bill, brilliantly played by veteran actor Barry Corbin, whom many will recognize from his extensive career in both television and film. Uncle Bill offers Bryan unsolicited advice about love and life. In his quirky way, he reveals the wisdom and truths about love that Bryan needs to realize. The interplay between Bryan and Uncle Bill serves as one of the film’s highlight, offering both comic relief and heartfelt moments.

Enter Summer Bellessa into the mix as Sara, a woman Bryan has known since high school but somehow drifted away from due to their contrasting paths in life. As fate would have it, after reuniting with Sara, Bryan's life takes multiple unexpected turns, which add a more complex yet entertaining twist to his love-seeking mission. Sara, portrayed captivatingly by Bellessa, is a breath of fresh air who serves as the perfect counterweight to Bryan's resolute and sometimes misguided approach to finding 'the one.'

Unlike the typical Hollywood clichés, "Funny Thing About Love" takes a more genuine and less predictable path towards depicting the pursuit of love. The natural dynamics among the characters and their encounters in the film blurs the line between reel and real life. From the belly laughs prompted by Bryan's comedic, often clumsy endeavors, through the heartwarming exchanges with Sara to the life-lessons imparted by Uncle Bill, the movie creatively explores the integral aspects of love.

The film shines in its charming spontaneity, fueled by its witty dialogue and skillful comedic timing. Director Sam Irvin successfully infuses each scene with a sense of authenticity that breathes life into the characters and their stories. The cinematic storytelling is complemented by the film’s visual appeal, with beautiful locations and stunning cinematography adding depth and vibrancy to the overall viewing experience.

Jon Heder impresses in a role that is worlds apart from his breakout success as the socially awkward Napoleon Dynamite. His portrayal of Bryan is a testament to his range as an actor, proving that he can take on the complex character of a career-focused architect in search of love just as well as he once embodied an awkward risk-taking teenager.

All of these elements combine to create an enjoyable, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that also resonates emotionally. It delivers on all fronts and leaves audiences not only entertained, but also thinking about their definitions and expectations of love. In the end, "Funny Thing About Love" is a delightful examination of love's unpredictability and its humorous outcomes. All in all, it's a must-watch for anyone seeking light-hearted entertainment with a sprinkling of heartfelt lessons on love.