The New Romantic

Released in 2018 and directed by Carly Stone, The New Romantic is a charming and thought-provoking comedy-drama. The film features mesmerizing performances from the likes of Jessica Barden, Hayley Law, and Brett Dier. The movie artistically explores themes of modern love, romantic ideals, relationships, and the aspirations of the millennial generation. It unfolds a unique narrative that could easily strike a chord with today's youth, reflecting the challenges and dilemmas they face amidst evolving societal norms and expectations.

The New Romantic introduces us to the life of Blake Conway (Barden), an aspiring journalist, hopeless romantic and a senior at college. Blake pens down her own column about love and relationships for her college newspaper. However, her old-school sentient reflections of love struggle to resonate with her peers who seem to care more about hook-up culture than finding their soulmate in the modern dating scene. This disconnection with her readers feeds into Blake's frustrations and her own personal disillusionment with love, the very subject she ardently writes about.

In search of some inspiration and desperate for a spike in readership, Blake stumbles upon a more unconventional lifestyle that could also provide content for a riveting article. The new lifestyle involves becoming a sugar baby to a much older man, Ian (an economics professor), in return for gifts, money, and experiences she wouldn't ordinarily be privy to. This lifestyle challenges her conception of love, relationships, and ethics. The dynamics of this new relationship propel the narrative forward and reveal a plethora of emotions, emphasizing the complexity of defining romantic relationships in today's times.

The movie artfully juxtaposes the old and new definitions of romance, reflecting on how our experiences and circumstances shape our perspective about love and relationships. It’s a quest for self-discovery, where Blake is seeking answers not only for her column but also to understand her own paradigms of romance, love, and emotional bonding. The movie interestingly portrays different kinds of relationships and the fine line between self-assertion and self-sacrifice.

Jessica Barden delivers a standout performance as Blake, perfectly construing the character's evolution and capturing her pretense, vulnerabilities, and desire for self-realization. Hayley Law, best known for Riverdale, beautifully embodies the role of Nikki- Blake's best friend, providing a stark contrast to Blake's romantic idealism with her practical approach to relationships. Brett Dier leaves a substantial mark as Jacob, Blake's peer at the newspaper who clearly harbors feelings for her and strongly disapproves of her lifestyle choices. Their character dynamics offer a complex representation of millennials and their varying views on love and relationships.

What's commendable about The New Romantic is that it neither takes a moralistic stand nor justifies any character's actions. It fluidly navigates difficult questions, exposing the reality, blurring the boundaries of right and wrong. The movie's strength lies in how it handles a controversial topic with grace, offering an interesting exploration into the modern-day dynamics of relationships. The narrative doesn’t fail to maintain the comedic undertone throughout the film, offering many light-hearted moments that add to the movie’s charm.

The music in The New Romantic perfectly complements the narrative, enhancing the overall mood and pacing of the film. Furthermore, the visual aesthetics of the movie are remarkable, featuring beautiful cinematography that brilliantly captures the emotional undercurrents of the characters.

The New Romantic is a brave and unique take on contemporary love and relationships that warrants praise for its unflinching exploration of unconventional scenarios. It is an appealing watch for those who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth, beautiful imagery, and a dash of humor. The film is an unconventional romantic narrative that sheds a different light on love, relationships, and the sacrifices we are willing to make in search of meaning and fulfillment. It convincingly strives to redefine the term romantic for a new generation, hence placing the viewer in a constant state of intrigue, making The New Romantic a must-watch comedy-drama.