Isn't It Romantic

The 2019 romantic comedy Isn't It Romantic? directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson, is a quirky, humorous, and insightful exploration of the clichés and tropes often featured in the rom-com genre. The film stars Australian-born actress Rebel Wilson as Natalie, an endearing, self-deprecating architect residing in New York who has an outspoken aversion for all things related to romantic comedies. Alongside her, we find the charismatic Liam Hemsworth as Blake, a handsome, charm-oozing billionaire, and dependable Adam Devine as Josh, Natalie's best friend and confidante.

In the film, Natalie is shown to be incredibly cynical about love, largely as a result of the countless, unrealistic romantic comedies she was made to watch as a child by her mother. Natalie vehemently believes these films perpetuate impractical expectations and untrue impressions about real-life relationships, and she is convinced that the so-called romantic “magic” in these films rarely occurs in reality. However, a bizarre accident transmutes her world and forces her to reassess her beliefs and assumptions.

After suffering a concussion during a subway mugging, Natalie awakens to find herself trapped in an alternate universe where life mimics the very romantic comedies she detests. Suddenly, New York City is awash in pastel hues, twinkling lights, spontaneous music numbers, and an endless array of implausible romantic encounters. What's more, Natalie finds herself being pursued by Blake, the billionaire client at her firm who in real life barely even notices she exists.

Adam Devine’s character, Josh, lands the role of Natalie's loyal and affable sidekick, unintentionally challenging the surges of inflated romance she experiences with Blake by offering a comforting and genuine presence. Though Josh and Natalie enjoy a warm and playful rapport, Natalie finds herself torn between these two relationships as she grapples with her understanding of love and its representations.

Isn't It Romantic? is a distinctive take on rom-coms, putting a creative spin on the tried and tested storyline of the genre. More than just a parody or a critique of romantic comedies, the film actively engages with and subverts the genre's tropes, consciously demonstrating how absurd, and yet how endearing, these stereotypical conventions can be when viewed from a critical standpoint. Nevertheless, the film itself doesn't entirely ditch the formulaic aspects of a rom-com. Instead, it cleverly employs such while simultaneously poking fun at them, resulting in a unique blend between an homage and spoof.

Rebel Wilson masterfully carries the film with her perfect comedic timing and unassailable charm, making the character of Natalie relatable and endearing while also brilliantly poking fun at the genre. Hemsworth shines as the stereotype of the superficially perfect romantic lead, delivering an exaggerated version of the charmingly oblivious male archetype that works wonderfully with the film's self-aware humor. Devine, meanwhile, maintains a solid and steady performance as the guy-next-door type of character, injecting a sense of realism and grounding into the otherwise fantastical narrative.

The film also offers a degree of self-discovery and personal growth for Natalie as she is forced to reconsider her beliefs about love, romance, and her own worth against the backdrop of this outlandishly sugary universe. In this way, Isn't It Romantic? provides a commentary on the importance of self-esteem and self-love in forming meaningful relationships and working towards personal fulfillment.

While the movie is brimming with outlandish performances, magnified emotions, and heaps of hilarity, at its core, it retains a heartwarming message about love, self-worth, and happiness that sets it apart from being just another comedy flick. It’s a light-hearted, clever, and buoyant film that uses humor and satire to debunk age-old tropes while still adding its own flavor of romance and Hollywood magic.

Whether you're a hardcore rom-com fan, a Rebel Wilson admirer, or simply looking for a comedic, feel-good movie that's light on the heart, the 2019 film Isn't It Romantic? is an enjoyable cinematic romp that provides both satire and appreciation for the much-loved and much-criticized genre of romantic comedies.