Ordinary Things

Ordinary Things is a perfectly effective and charming romcom with appealing performances and some good, solid laughs. The faith aspect is handled in such a way that unbelievers like myself won't feel too alienated, and the dynamics of the plot keep moving briskly along and ensure that the audience is never less than entertained.

Sweet and well-judged central performances keep everything on track even when the mechanics of the plot require some serious suspension of disbelief, and you'd have to be a particularly sour kind of viewer to take against the movie. It might be worth giving the trailer a skip and going in cold; knowing the details of the premise ahead of time might take some of the sparkle off the first act.

It's a warm cup of cocoa in movie form.

Ordinary Things" is a delightful rom-com that captures the magic of unexpected love and the power of family. When Dannie, played by the charming Cristina Duchesne-Rivera, concocts a plan to fake a marriage with her childhood friend Tyler (Julian Simoes) to fulfill her dying mother's wish, the stage is set for a heartwarming and humorous journey.

As fate intervenes and her mother's cancer unexpectedly goes into remission, the duo finds themselves caught in a web of their own making, leading to a series of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt revelations. The chemistry between Duchesne-Rivera and Simoes is both genuine and infectious, making their characters' evolution a joy to watch.

Vanessa Rodriguez shines as the mother, delivering a performance filled with warmth and a touch of skepticism that perfectly balances the film's lighter moments. Under Micah Caronna's skillful direction, "Ordinary Things" effortlessly blends humor with uplifting themes, leaving viewers with a sense of hope and joy.

Ordinary Things takes a familiar rom-com setup-friends faking a relationship-and twists it into something heartfelt and unexpectedly layered. What starts as a sweet deception to comfort a dying mother turns into a tangled mess when she makes a miraculous recovery, forcing Dannie (Cristina Duchesne-Rivera) to face a truth she never saw coming: maybe the lie wasn't a lie at all.

What makes the film work is how effortlessly it balances humor and sincerity. The chemistry between Duchesne-Rivera and Julian Simoes (Tyler) is never forced, making their shift from childhood best friends to something more feel earned. The comedy lands without trying too hard, and the emotional beats hit just right, avoiding over-the-top melodrama.

Director Micah Caronna keeps the pacing tight, ensuring the film never overstays its welcome, while Jennifer Tobler's script infuses the characters with warmth and authenticity. Vanessa Rodriguez also deserves a mention as Dannie's mother, adding both heart and humor to the mix.

At its core, Ordinary Things is about love in all its messy, complicated forms-romantic, familial, and even self-love. It's not trying to reinvent the genre, but it doesn't have to. It's simply a well-executed feel-good film that reminds us that sometimes, the best things in life aren't planned.

What a sweet fun movie. This film is like a warm blanket. You know where it's going to go but there's a comfort in that.

Ordinary Things starring Cristina Duchesne-Rivera as Dannie fakes her wedding with her childhood best friend Tyler played by Julian Simoes to please her mom's dying wish. However her mother played by Vanessa Rodriguez has a full recovery and the fake couple have to keep up the charade but plan on telling her the truth at a much anticipated birthday party.

This is a Christian film and even though I'm agnostic I really liked the positive message this film has because it's about finding your true love and relationships which is universal no matter your personal beliefs.

I personally love Hallmark films which is the vibe this has. Nothing too controversial and you end up rooting for the couple to stay together despite the road blocks they encounter when the truth comes out. That's the magic of this film.

Such a cute film! Friends since childhood Tyler and Dannie hatch a fake wedding plan to help her dying Mom. What could possibly go wrong?! This was a well packaged story with an easy to follow story and thankfully without a plethora of hard to follow side characters. The real magic of the film was in the two lead characters' playful interaction with each other as they navigate the effect of well intentioned lies and the natural consequences. The added aspect of faith in the story and God's promise to be with his people always (regardless of the good or bad outcomes) is a central theme and the characters had to simply step out in faith. Overall a delightful rom com with a difference and a positive message of redemption.