Love, Repeat

There are a few surprises in this film. If you are looking for a formulaic romantic comedy, you won't find it here. This film defies classification, not fitting neatly into one category. For one thing, most romcoms follow the same basic formula, starting with a "meet-cute" and following the general outline of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl. At the beginning of Love, Repeat, the main characters, James and Barbara, are divorced. James has never stopped loving Barbara, and even though his friends advise him to move on and even arrange some blind dates for him, he cannot imagine his life without her. Although there are some funny moments, including a very funny montage featuring his best friend's attempts to give James a makeover, there are also some poignant moments of stark emotion. You find yourself genuinely caring about the characters and hoping for a happy resolution. The film features a large cast of refreshingly diverse characters, including extended family, friends and neighbors, some of them rather quirky. Set in New York City in the wintertime, the film is gorgeously shot with breathtaking scenes of Central Park and snowy city streets which will make you long to be there yourself. The score is jazzy and sophisticated and really adds to the impact of the story. This is a perfect film to watch, cuddled up with a cozy blanket and someone you love.