by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Why are we so tempted to get back together with someone romantically when it didn’t work out the first time? There is familiarity with someone we have already been with. It is a challenge to open up yourself to a new person who has to learn about you. But sometimes it comes down to why you were no longer together in the first place. If it was abuse or distrust, that is not something that will be fixed with time. But other issues can be resolved by time, new situations, and personal growth. These are all human experiences which is why they are so commonly tackled on film.
But does She is Love tackle such ideas with nuance and depth? No. Not everything can tackle such complex and emotional topics with such care. But that doesn’t stop writer/director Jamie Adams from trying his hardest. This new drama clocks in at only 79 minutes, which is little time to tackle such complex things. There also must be strong writing to keep these ideas intact. But the biggest issue for this film is the approach. Adams’ approach is laying down a basic structure and letting the cast improve it.
What is the scenario that these actors get to play in? This story focuses on a woman who finds her way to a country mansion to rent, which is run by an entitled aspiring actress… who is dating the ex-husband of our lead. Estranged for 10 years, they soon reconnect over the course of a few days. These beats are quite familiar, and this basic structure provides just enough for a basic story. The motivations that Adams injects into the backstory of these two characters have plenty of emotional depth. The moments that tackle these issues are some of the strongest and most moving. These highlights are unfortunately few and far between.
How do the actors fill out the rest of the film? The biggest frustration watching this film is the tons of uninteresting filler that pads its already modest runtime. So many of the interactions between these former lovers are superficial, uninspired, and flat. There is a reason that screenwriters exist… they are experts at writing dialogue and narrative. With this film, the actors struggle to make something out of (almost) nothing. The boredom settles in quite a bit, and there is plenty of awkwardness. The scene where these two characters see each other for the first time feels like an AI program wrote it because it feels so unnatural.
Even with the weak narrative to perform with, how does the cast deliver from an acting standpoint? These actors are talented, even if their improv skills don’t reach that level (which is not an easy thing to do, and that is why few actors are granted that luxury). Haley Bennett has been in the shadow of other young women of her generation, but when the meaty moments arrive, she shines. Those emotional beats are delivered so well. Sam Riley uses his brand of charisma to make him entertaining to watch, even though what he is saying or doing might not be so engaging. But poor Marisa Abela. She is so talented and kills it on Industry. For She is Love… completely wasted. This is a paper-thin character who is self-entitled and immature (which Abela delivers with some serious believability), but her whole subplot is a distraction and boring. She mostly could have been cut.
Does She is Love overcome its flaws to deliver an impactful drama about relationships and love? There are strong emotional beats, and talented actors who do their best. Overall, this film falls flat thanks to feeling too loose and all over the place. There was some strong potential here that feels squandered —it’s a big missed opportunity.
Score: 4/10
She is Love will be in theaters and VOD on February 3
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