By Mr. Will Wong
I WANT YOU BACK from Director Jason Orley (Big Time Adolescence) takes the traditional Rom-Com and throws in a few twists and turns, right in time for our Valentine’s Day consumption.
We meet Peter (Charlie Day), whose girlfriend Anne (Gina Rodriguez) ends their relationship. Emma (Jenny Slate) also is reeling from her boyfriend Noah (Scott Eastwood) breaking things off with her as well. Both Peter and Emma, who are now in their thirties and faced with the notion of having to start over again, make a secret pact with one another to win their exes back, helping one another sabotage their exes’ new relationships.
Anne is into Logan (Manny Jacinto), who is putting on a local production of “Little Shop of Horrors” and Emma wedges herself between the two, even in landing a role in the Musical doing whatever it takes to pry Logan away. Peter befriends Noah by taking him on his a trainer, and meets his new love interest Ginny (Clark Backo), and she’s actually pretty great. Things get a little bit twisted when Peter and Noah form an actual friendship and we wonder if he’ll be able to hold-up his end of his deal with Emma. Also, what happens if Peter and Emma‘s covers get blown?
We appreciate the choices that I WANT YOU BACK makes doing its part to explore sensibilities that are now. Whether it be Emma having a conversation with a kid from the play she’s in named Trevor (Luke David Blumm) about his two dads, or Peter vehemently drawing the line when he realizes he’s been lured-in by an under-age girl. Our leads to silly things, but moments like this re-align their moral compasses. It is not at all hard to be charmed by both Slate and Day.
On that same note, we found ourselves wondering when and if ever Peter and Emma will realize a spark between them at all. If there’s one ingredient missing from the mix, it’s us really getting a sense of rooting for them to get together, which is the true heart and soul of the story. So much of the Film delves into funny and awkward antics, though giving its stars a chance to shine, steers us away from what really matters. These two lonely souls don’t really realize they’re meant for each other for too much of the Film.
Though feeling a tad long, I WANT YOU BACK isn’t without charm and has its heart in the right place. Ultimately, it believes in being happy for others, even if others’ happiness no longer involves them. But keep an open mind and you just might find that one person you really were meant for. If you needed to hear this, then look no further.
I WANT YOU BACK streams on Prime Video Canada beginning February 11, 2022.
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