by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
I’m not a fan of romcoms. They always have the same formula with the guy and girl, but, “oh no, we can’t because we’re best friends, but we love each other, so what do we do?” All hilarity is supposed to happen afterward. I didn’t get any hilarity with Your Place or Mine.
In a friendship that started with a one-night stand and lasted for 20 years, single and practical mom Debbie (Reese Witherspoon) and non-committal Peter (Ashton Kutcher) have never stepped out of the friend zone. They talk daily via phone or FaceTime, as they live on opposite coasts (Debbie’s in L.A., and Peter’s in New York City), and know each other inside and out. After an opportunity falls in Debbie’s lap that uproots her for a week in New York City, Peter comes to LA to take care of Debbie’s preadolescent son. Their world flips upside down in seven days, and they realize how much they might need each other.
It’s Sleepless in Seattle-esque, but Your Place or Mine doesn’t create the same spark. The two leads are separated for most of the film, and communicate by phone or FaceTime until the end. Their lack of chemistry hurt the film. Whenever Witherspoon and Kutcher share the screen, it is just a boring conversation. They’re trying to make us believe they’ve been friends for so long and love each other, when they don’t see the blatant signs in their faces. I wasn’t rooting for them to get together at the end. I was rooting for the movie to end so I could watch or do something else.
The comedy side doesn’t hit either. Yes, you have a good cast, but the script is the problem. The characters are offbeat and don’t fit. Steve Zahn is Zen, the zany, rich next-door neighbor to Debbie who likes to take care of her garden while he has someone else take care of his. He also, on occasion, sleeps with Debbie, unbeknownst to Peter. Tig Notaro is Alicia, who seems to be the old friend of the two leads and the mediator between them. There is no reason for her character when most of the characters are doing the same thing, showing how much Debbie and Peter are into each other, and in hopes of them finally realizing.
Zoë Chao is Peter’s ex, Minka, who comes back after Peter’s recent breakup (they don’t matter). Minka finds Debbie instead and helps her live life during her stay in New York, but also finds out that Peter wrote a book. The film also decides to throw Debbie a love interest, played by Jesse Williams. Yes, the man is eye candy, but his looks are why he is there. His character doesn’t even matter.
As time passes, the besties slowly discover many things about each other, even though they claim to know each other. The only character I truly enjoy is Debbie’s son Jack (Wesley Kimmel). Kimmel’s sweet and honest performance as 13-year-old Jack sells Debbie and Peter being together.
Yes, Jack is a kid, but the kid hears and sees everything. Peter tries to help Jack be a kid while his mother is away, but Jack is teaching Peter how to open up and be vulnerable. They have a heart-to-heart, but not enough to keep this film afloat.
When we get to Debbie and Peter confessing their feelings, the film becomes deflated, making me wish it was 30 minutes shorter. I couldn’t wait to turn it off. I wish I weren’t harsh, but I wanted to be wowed. What a disappointment.
This film isn’t fresh or exciting. There are better options than Your Place or Mine. Unless you’re a fan of Witherspoon and Kutcher; in that case, knock yourself out.
Score: 2/10
Your Place or Mine is currently streaming on Netflix
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