Rhapsody of Love

I had the chance to see Rhapsody of Love at The Gold Coast Film Festival screening this weekend and I was in for such a wonderful surprise. This film is what true romance is about and I have not seen a film like this in more than 10 years. I am 68 and an old softy who loves a romantic comedy. Kathy Luu and Damien Sato are both new to me. Both leads were outstanding in this film and you feel their chemistry, love and their journey. For laughs, there are other fun characters - Joy Hopwood (who wrote and directed the film) and Khan Chittenden are like an old Hollywood slapstick pair. The other supporting characters are also excellent actors and I enjoyed their performance and love stories. But the heart of the film really is with the Kathy Luu who is an extraordinary rare actress - her heart and joy lit up every scene for me and I felt very happy leaving the cinema. On the way out, I heard a young man tell his girlfriend "That was a really good movie, I'm so glad we got to see it. I'd go see it again." So would I. Thank you for making this film Joy Hopwood and team, and thank you for screening this Gold Coast Film Festival.

Rhapsody of Love tries to position itself as a feel-good, culturally inclusive rom-com, but unfortunately, it stumbles at almost every turn. While the intention behind the film is admirable-promoting Asian-Australian representation in a genre that sorely lacks it-the execution is flat and uninspired.

The biggest issue? The romantic chemistry between the leads is a complete misfire. For a film centered around love and longing, there's an awkwardness between the main couple that never quite goes away. Their interactions feel forced, the dialogue is stiff, and the emotional beats fail to land. It's hard to root for a couple when you don't believe they even like each other.

The pacing drags, the humor rarely hits, and the direction lacks energy. While some of the supporting cast members add charm and a bit of levity, they're not enough to carry the film through its sluggish runtime.

Rhapsody of Love has its heart in the right place, but a romantic comedy without believable romance or compelling leads ends up being more frustrating than sweet. A missed opportunity.

You'd never think this film was shot amidst Covid and in only a couple of weeks. Refreshing to see rom-coms featuring Asians and 'mixed race' couples with an entertaining cast and script and makes this movie realistic. The photography, directing and acting is outstanding. I look forward to seeing more productions from Joy House.

This is a tender tale between two realistic, grounded characters who have their hearts on their sleeves. In fact, that's what makes this movie shine, seeing characters who love what they do, whether it's photography, baking or fitness. Stunning cinematography, lots of genuine moments and plenty of laughs.

A wonderfully intimate, emotionally honest and buoyant Australian film that features some refreshing, new local talents. A fun film with a lot of heart. Looking forward to seeing what this team comes up with next.