The anti-romantic comedy “Isn’t it Romantic?” hit the box office on Feb. 13, just in time for Valentine’s Day. What sets this movie apart from similar ones, however, is that it is a romantic comedy within a romantic comedy. Essentially, the movie pokes fun at a lot of the romantic comedy stereotypes and tropes that other movies recycle year after year.
The main character, Natalie, is an architect who is treated as more of a coffee girl than a professional at her job. When she hits her head during a mugging gone wrong on the subway, Natalie wakes up in a parallel universe where everything in her life is perfect, like a real-life romantic comedy. At first, as someone who hates rom-coms, all Natalie wants to do is get back to her everyday life. In order to do this, she figures out that she has to make someone fall in love with her. This setup allows the viewer to go on the adventure to find love alongside Natalie, though she does not necessarily want to find it.
I was laughing from the moment the first scene started until the credits rolled. I am a big fan of romantic comedies, and even though it rejects that label, this movie did not disappoint me. It was a movie that gives the viewer everything they could ever want in a romantic comedy while also making fun of all the stereotypical events of the genre. This movie had me going from saying “awe” to cracking up laughing within seconds.
The stars—Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam Devine and Priyanka Chopra—also bring a special flare to this romantic comedy. Wilson did an incredible job with the lead role of Natalie, and the movie would not have been the same without her in that role. She brought the same spunk that she had in the “Pitch Perfect” trilogy and her facial expressions make the jokes in this movie that much more effective. Hemsworth, Devine and Chopra also embody their roles perfectly, whether playing a brainless hunk or spoiled rich girl.
As a fan of romantic comedies, I do not have a single complaint about this movie. The actors did a fantastic job and all brought something fun and different that helped bring the script to life. The plot made fun of romantic comedy stereotypes and everyone who loves them, but does so without offending anyone who loves the genre. I am in love with this movie and can’t wait to buy it on DVD. This movie is cheesy, goofy, fun and romantic all in one and is the romantic comedy to see this Valentine’s season.
