Somebody I Used to Know

This is a sweet little movie. I think it just started playing on Prime and Alison Brie pulled me in. All the acting is good here. The dialogue is more realistic than the usual rom-com, and I didn't need to suspend disbelief as much as I usually do in this genre. It really shouldn't even go in the rom com bucket but marketing didn't know how else to sell it. Forget the labels. Yes, there's a my-best-friend's-wedding vibe, but, in a moment of self awareness, this is even addressed in a joke. The characters are likable, even the slightly shady Sean. Ally and Cassidy have authentic exchanges as two women supposedly at odds, but finding a lot of commonality. I love a coming-to-mutual respect scene topped off with a celebratory streaking! I was so pleasantly surprised by this one, it makes me wonder, why the other low ratings? Sure, some of these plot points are familiar. Yes, trying to break up a wedding last minute is cringy, but we're living in a Fast n Furious franchise world here. I don't care if we can go watch cars fly... I'm watching brain cells fly right outta my head with those ones. Franco and Brie's movie is for fun and ultimately has a great message. A sweet little movie a try next time you could use a feel good moment.

I like Allison Brie a lot. She is charming in some ways in this Romantic Comedy about a Los Angeles television star who returns home after her show is cancelled and reconnects with her ex-boyfriend. Ted by he problem is that her ex-boyfriend is now engaged and on the verge of getting married, and it gets complicated. Jeremy is played by The Sixth Sense's Haley Joel Osmond, and is very awkward. There are some cute moments. The premise is a little mean, but Brie's lovable personality makes it less so-or does it. The meanest part is how her boyfriend's current girlfriend is inadvertently collateral damage. Many of the lines and relationship are weak. It is low budget. It is predictable . It is awkward-not romantic in my opinion.

This one's really weird with a pretty predictable storyline. I think this is the first movie where the wronged party (the fiancee) literally provides the so-called heroine with ALL of the ammunition to use against her. Who does that?! While this one has shades of My Best Friend's Wedding, the big difference is that you really don't get invested in any of the characters because none of them are likeable. I just didn't feel the love with any part of this triangle. It was all overly contrived. It's also extremely uncomfortable how the fiance has told EVERYBODY in town her business in the short 6 months she's dated this guy and they're all passing it around like party favors on the eve of the wedding. Every time we see the ex-girlfriend stalking the couple like chewed up, spit out karmic gum on a shoe while pretending to be a videographer, it makes less and less sense. If the groom didn't get rid of her, the bride-to-be should have made it clear that she was NOT welcomed. Note to anyone confused: You should NOT be at your ex's wedding as a single. That's not about insecurity, it's about the energy especially when she looks like a thirsty stripper in every scene. Even a couple of so-called emotional scenes can't save this one. And why was the lesbian hint thrown in?? Too much stuff in the soup without enough quality ingredients. On the bright side, it is a little bit better than Shotgun Wedding. Not by much though.

IMDB, you are guys are crazy. I'm genuinely shocked at the pearl clutching in the comments. (Oh my god, how dare someone try and reignite something with someone already in a relationship?! Think of the children!)

We, collectively, needed a movie like this. Somebody I Used To Know is one of the sweetest, most earnest, gentle romantic films I've seen in a long time. A movie about love and with no gimmicks: there's no time traveling, no amnesia, no action component. Just a simple story about a girl returning home and remembering a lost love.

Alison Brie is wonderful in this movie, and it makes me wonder why or how she hasn't been in a thousand of these movies by now. She's beautiful, funny, has such natural screen presence and chemistry. (And let's be honest, there's no one complaining about her baring it all multiple times) This movie is also a reunion between her and Community co-star (and supposedly really good friend IRL) Danny Pudi, whom was fantastic, but definitely underused. Same with Hayley Joel Osmont, to be honest. This movie presents a fun cast but unfortunately, doesn't have them as present as i'd have liked.

But it's okay because as familiar as the story may be, I think it's fundamentally quite strong. Jay Ellis, Kiersey Clemons, and Brie have a great dynamic and I like the subtle mind games and entendres that dominate their conversations in the middle of the movie. But, it gives way to a sweeter, more thoughtful and ultimately, healthier take on love and relationships that I think is a direct response to the tropes of the past.

This movie also looks GORGEOUS with the picturesque, highly unique town of Leavingworth, Washington, with its German inspired town centre playing the perfect romantic setting for a movie like this. Honestly, this movie makes me want to visit that town. It looks incredible. But it's also a testament to the cinematography that every image looks so crisp and gorgeous, even if I could've used a bit more cinematic flair.

I don't know what to say, I really liked this movie. It felt mature, it felt earnest, it felt right. I genuinely don't understand why the reception has been so negative. This movie is perfect for Valentine's Day.

"Somebody I Used to Know" is slightly better than other Amazon rom-com efforts but still falls flat. What charm this movie has is mostly driven by grounded characters + the cast and lead's solid chemistry. Other than that it basically follows the bad romcom formula to a T:

• The 'likeable'/'relatable' lead character is actually unlikable due to their abhorrent actions
• It is mostly directionless and relies heavily on ridiculous drama driven by characters refusing to communicate. Outside of Ally there is basically no organic character/relationship development
• It heavily relies on childish gross-out/nudity/sex driven humor that isn't funny if you're over the age of 15

All of the above combined with a 15 minute too long runtime and the writers thinking people in their mid-30s acting like teenagers is somehow charming results in something 'watchable' but not very engaging.

If you liked Community you might enjoy the novelty of seeing Alison Brie and Danny Pudi on screen again. Otherwise, there's not much point in watching this.