I absolutely loved Alexandra Swarens' 2019 film 'City of trees,' a sapphic holiday romantic comedy that was wonderfully heartfelt and sincere. When this 2022 film first crossed my radar it didn't come to my attention that Swarens was involved; the moment it did, however, the film immediately shot to the top of my list to watch. 'Looking for her' very quickly shows itself to be well in line with the filmmaker's prior kindred work, with the pacing and tone as gentle as snow softly falling on a night with no wind, and a fair bit of the humor, too. With the average picture, comedy or otherwise, this might surely be a mark against it, yet for as lovely and authentic as Swarens' style is as both a filmmaker and a storyteller, the approach manages to feel more natural. It's noteworthy that in contrast to 'City of trees' the production values are stronger here, and more polished; it's evident that Swarens has further developed her skills in every regard. Genuineness has not been sacrificed in favor of finesse, however, and it in fact remains the driving ethos of what the director does. With that in mind, even as this flick takes no few cues from the formulaic genre of cookie cutter TV holiday romances, it remains grounded first and foremost in maintaining believable dynamics, characterizations, and scene writing. The result, just as was true three years before, is one of the best modern Christmas movies you've never heard of.
There are tinges of more significant drama in these 100-odd minutes as we see the complications in Taylor and Olive's lives, be they related to work, family, or just social problems. Yet it speaks so well to Swarens that where other titles would get heavy-handed and bogged down in every sliver of obstacle or malfunction, even when a more substantial turn would seem to come in the last twenty minutes or so she maintains a supremely mindful, delicate touch. No matter the story element that's introduced, our protagonists remain centered, and with them the light, good-natured fun and budding lesbian romance. There is an active narrative on hand, but the core of the feature is really in the strength of the character writing, and the smooth, nuanced relationships between each figure; much of the fun here is simply marvelously ginger and endearing, yet the length is filled with plentiful bits that earn big, enchanted laughs, at times more than some more straightforward classics can boast. Whether flowing from situational humor, discrete gags, or sheer silliness, there is so much joy to be had here - to say nothing of how stupendously heartwarming and charming the romance is, and (again in contrast to the average dime-a-dozen Hallmark, ABC Family, or Lifetime variant) perfectly organic. From beginning to end 'Looking for her' is a delight, and that's never more true than when Taylor and Olive share scenes.
The whole cast is splendid, including Sophie Arrick and Robert Artz as bubbly, well-meaning parents Cheryl and Frank, and all those in smaller supporting parts, like Adrienne Ogle and Michelle Hakala Wolf. It goes without saying, though, that Olivia Buckle and Swarens herself are front and center as Taylor and Olive, and frankly I couldn't be more pleased with how excellent they are. Both actors illustrate superb, refined range and emotional depth, and are fabulously sweet and amiable all by themselves; I'd love to find more of their works. Together, Buckle and Swarens have incredible chemistry as scene partners, to the point that it's easy to forget that this is only a fictional story; one could be forgiven for thinking that the two are romantically involved in real life. Factor in Swarens' impeccably smart direction, orchestrating every shot and scene with exquisite deftness and intelligence, and in turn this little indie production lands with far greater, more meaningful impact than a preponderance of more well-known titles, and far more than I could have anticipated even based on my adoration of 'City of trees.' It's so unfailingly pleasant, tender, and downright beautiful in its earnestness that it even becomes a tearjerker in the best of ways, all while inspiring laughs and evoking only the most positive of feelings. To be blunt, how many major studio releases with A-list stars can truly do that? In fact, for as much as I love the aforementioned film, this is even better.
Swarens' editing is as sharp as her writing and direction; the costume design, hair, and makeup are lovely. From filming locations and sets to lighting and cinematography, this is solidly made in every capacity. It's that writing and direction that comes first and foremost, however, and above all the character dynamics as Taylor and Olive are spotlighted all the while - and for as steadfast as these aspects are, to be honest I couldn't even pretend to think 'Looking for her' is anything less than flawless. Countless are those flicks that populate the holiday romance genre, but most of them are barely distinguishable from one another (not to mention tiresomely heteronormative); most every movies aims to entertain and make an impression of some kind on their audience, but by no stretch of the imagination is every movie able to achieve these goals. Operating in her own corner of the industry, without any of the benefits of huge finance deals or household recognition, Swarens has now created a second feature within a well-trodden space, and a second feature that is vastly superior to and far more poignant and moving than what too much of the medium generally, or the genre specifically, has ever accomplished. I'm stunned and totally swept away by just how tremendous this is, and it's all but criminal that it's not more well known. Whether you're a fan of those involved, seeking something appropriate for the holiday season, or just looking for something enjoyable, I can only give 'Looking for her' my very highest, heartiest, and most enthusiastic recommendation: this is an utmost pleasure, and you're making a mistake if you pass it up.
