Hey, Streamers! It's mid-February, and it seems you either watch romantic comedies or you're anticipating the Big Game. For those who aren't into the latter, here's some more counterprogramming courtesy of Prime Video and the minds of Dave Franco and Alison Brie, Somebody I Used to Know. It's a "romantic" comedy involving wedding shenanigans, which we all love. Am I right??? Here's whether you should know this somebody.
Dave Franco directs the screenplay he wrote with his wife and the movie's star, Alison Brie. Somebody I Used to Know takes place over a few days in Leavenworth, Washington when Ally (Brie) returns to her mother's home after her reality television show was canceled. While in town on day one, Ally predictably runs into her old flame, Sean (Jay Ellis), after ten years; and they seem to pick up right where they left off. Sean, of course, is hiding the big news of his impending wedding, which leads Ally to go full-on Julianne Potter (My Best Friend's Wedding reference). Wedding sabotage hijinks ensue.
This storyline is so tiresome. How many times do we have to see a woman, usually, attempt to sabotage her ex's wedding? Why would anyone think that's going to turn out good for you in the end? Why would you even want someone who was easily manipulated by you? Is that satisfying? I have so many questions for this played-out genre.
Now, Somebody I Used to Know steps right into all of the problems with this genre of romantic comedy. It is predictable and unoriginal. In fact, it borrows so heavily from My Best Friend's Wedding that I am now wondering if that was Franco and Brie's objective. It is a shame that this movie feels so derivative because Alison Brie is generally a likeable screen presence. You can easily root for the characters she plays, even someone who is being so manipulative. The one good thing that Franco and Brie have added to this movie is a theme about self-empowerment. The screenplay revisits ideas about making oneself happy, and it is impactful at times. I wish those ideas had been more in the forefront than the wedding sabotage.
There really isn't much else here. There's a nice sing-along to look forward to. Haley Joel Osment and Danny Pudi get some good moments, but Osment, in particular, is so unnecessary. That's all really. Eh. *Shrug*
Ultimately, Somebody I Used to Know is fine but too derivative, unoriginal and predictable to really be interesting. While the movie hints at other meaningful themes, it settles with the cliches of wedding sabotage movies to be its driving force. That's pretty disappointing. Alison Brie is a pleasant on-screen presence and Haley Joel Osment gets some daffy moments. I'd only suggest a handful of popcorn for this if you need something to fill the time while waiting for Rihanna's halftime show.
Somebody I Used to Know
2023
Action / Comedy / Romance
Somebody I Used to Know
2023
Action / Comedy / Romance
Plot summary
On a trip to her hometown, workaholic Ally reminisces with her first love Sean, and starts to question everything about the person she's become. Things only get more confusing when she meets Sean's fiancé, Cassidy, who reminds her of the person she used to be.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
February 14, 2023 at 04:29 PM
Director
Tech specs
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Somebody I Used to Know Thought My Best Friend's Wedding Was Better the First Time
Amateurish and Cliche'd
I like Allison Brie a lot. She is charming in some ways in this Romantic Comedy about a Los Angeles television star who returns home after her show is cancelled and reconnects with her ex-boyfriend. Ted by he problem is that her ex-boyfriend is now engaged and on the verge of getting married, and it gets complicated. Jeremy is played by The Sixth Sense's Haley Joel Osmond, and is very awkward. There are some cute moments. The premise is a little mean, but Brie's lovable personality makes it less so-or does it. The meanest part is how her boyfriend's current girlfriend is inadvertently collateral damage. Many of the lines and relationship are weak. It is low budget. It is predictable . It is awkward-not romantic in my opinion.
Alison Brie does rom-com
Ally (Alison Brie) runs a superficial reality-TV show. When it gets canceled, she feels empty and decides to go home to visit her mother. She runs into her ex Sean (Jay Ellis) whom she dumped to go to Hollywood. She starts questioning her choosen path.
This starts like a Hallmark rom-com. I didn't get Alison Brie doing something like that. My hopes got raised with the two "That B". I thought it was Game On. Instead, the story chooses a sincere and sweeter path. It's more than Hallmark, but still very much a version of rom-com. Brie is the co-writer with husband Dave Franco and he's directing.