The latest romantic comedy, Sweethearts, has hit Max just in time for the holidays. In her feature directorial debut, Jordan Weiss, brings to life this coming-of-age rom-com centered on two college freshmen, Ben and Jamie, as best friends who have been struggling to enjoy their college experience due to their ongoing long distance relationships with their high school sweethearts. The decidedly co-dependent besties (played by Nico Hirago and Kiernan Shipka) make a pact to tag team their breakups with their respective partners while home on Thanksgiving break.
Who doesn’t love a little vinegar with that cornbread stuffing? Or, is it dressing?
Nevertheless, despite their careful workshopping of their breakup speeches on a cross country trip back home, Ben and Jamie’s carefully plotted operation turkey drop, of sorts, dissolves into chaos when everything that could go wrong for the night does. Would it even be comedy if everything stayed on plan?
From the awkwardness and unpredictability of the characters’ new experiences to the half-baked hijinks, the film falls short of bringing anything substantially new to the rom-com genre. In moments that are often reminiscent of teen angst movies from the ‘80s, the comedic elements in the ensuing story stem from a series of mishaps, missteps, and miscommunication between the leads and their love interests. The jokes almost write themselves.
The film does pivot at times to allow its archetypal supporting characters, from the socially hip parents to the wise counseling teacher/coach, to explore and share their own vulnerabilities, serving as poignant reminders that love comes in many forms. Case in point, to add to the emotionally charged Thanksgiving holiday, Ben and Jamie’s larger-than-life, rather flamboyant hometown friend, Palmer (played by comedian Caleb Heron), who has been living out his gap year working at EuroDisney, is also returning home, complete with a new accent, a new lease on life, and a not-so-surprising life choices big reveal at his own carefully planned le petite soirée. Translation, epic house party.
While the film tries to do too much, flame-broiled turkey on the lawn notwithstanding, Sweethearts does succeed in capturing the essence of friendship, taking you through a heartwarming exploration of choices, identity, and even the beauty of simply being there for one another. Through a handful of entertaining and relatable experiences, the film emphasizes that the most fulfilling relationships are those where people involved are honest with who they are and what truly makes them happy.
With a host of quirky side characters, played by Christine Taylor, Ava DeMary, Charlie Hall, and a cameo by Jake Bongiovi to round out the cast, Sweethearts and all of its holiday goodness is streaming now on Max.
###
On the KP Scale = 7 out of 10
Comments