'Love Again:' Quiet Mannerisms & Falling in Love Again after Loss

*warning: possible spoilers ahead*

"Do you think you could fall in love with someone just through their words?"

This line uttered by Sam Heughan's character Rob Burns to Priyanka Chopra's Mira Ray sums up the film Love Again's plot. I came across this film directed by Jim Strouse by chance. No. It was most definitely attributed to YouTube's algorithm. Ahh, the one device of hit or misses. Seeing Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra's names tied to the trailer's title certainly drew me in. I had known the former through the hit Starz show Outlander, which I daresay binge and adore. The latter, well, through the ABC show Quantico and her tie to Nick Jonas.

Quite certainly, I found the trailer cheesy. The inclusion of Celine Dion is rather unique. I wondered if it was intended as a boost for the film's sales. Nevertheless, as a self-proclaimed rom-com fan, the film piqued my interest, and it was immediately plastered on my list of films to see.

It finally came out on the 12th of May in England, and with due time on my hands, I purchased tickets as a solo-date treat for myself eight days after its release.

The film possessed a great satire toward typical rom-com tropes. Yet, it was so self-aware that it made the dialogue all the more enjoyable. The film carried an artful quality throughout. It first appeared in its title sequence, where the title appeared through a telling transition tied to the plot. The audience is introduced to Chopra's character Mira soon after a few zooms onto the backs of a few extras. We are soon introduced to Mira's hobby, and a texting dialogue with another influential character ensues.

The creative arts took the spotlight, not only through the inclusion of a musician in Celine Dion but through the characters' own careers. The original version of the film, the 2016 German production SMS Für Dich, had assigned the male lead a more sporty role. Songs were produced for this film as well.

Out of the creative liberties of the film, I found that the quiet mannerisms of all the characters most definitely contributed to the film's strength. Though, perhaps, age was another factor in my particular enjoyment of the film. I giggled, cried, and chortled, I found myself clinging to my scarf or cupping my face with both hands throughout.

The choices of actors in this film were executed well. With well-seasoned characters boasting backgrounds in romance films, they added spice to the intensity of those mannerisms. No more than three minutes in, we get the first closeup of Mira's face. Her eyes gazed afar, fixated upon the events on the opposite end of the window. Her eyes glimmered with fear, worry, confusion, and disbelief all the while, her lips trembled ever so lightly as she watched the love of her life, John Wright, endure one of the worst events imaginable.

This particular focus on Mira reappeared throughout the film, with Chopra's acting chops profoundly challenged and exhibited in the varying sequences. This contributed to character development, presenting her inner thoughts and reluctance to partake in varying situations tied to the gradation of the plot. One of the film choices I found had room for improvement came in the lack of close-ups for Heughan's character. Yes, there were ample time slots dedicated to building Rob's narrative and unlocking his growth and thoughts. Yet, just as the closeups strengthened the existing mentions of Mira's backstory and inner thoughts, it would have benefited Rob to have more close-ups of his face. It would give the actor the chance to showcase his acting abilities so-clearly exhibited in Outlander and to place him on equal footing with the other protagonist since this story already focuses primarily on the two lovebirds.

Thus, I must say the build-up of Rob's infatuation for Mira could have been presented more clearly. His sudden admittance of love for her at his workplace, the New York Chronicle, wasn't as believable as the film had spent earlier scenes miraging his reception of her texts. What we received was Rob's clumsiness and his quizzical brows as he glued his eyes ever tightly on his phone screen. Dialogue between his coworkers or a gradual hint toward more genuine smiles could have been applied.

Still, I must remark how I found Heughan's character rather charming. Heughan brings a new level of unapologetic humor and quirk to his character--where men are able to and should enjoy love ballads, sing passionately in the shower, panic and make lighthearted messes here and there.

Another key feature of the film I found most amusing stood in the dialogue. From the humorous exchange between Mira and her little sister, Suzie, prior to Mira's first date after a two-year hiatus, to Rob's first phone call with Mira or the blunt exchanges between Rob and his colleague Billy Brooks at the bar. The phrases were witty and relatable at the same time.

I found myself laughing at the ending sequence--the stereotypical twirling of the camera, the arc shot. Boy, did it dizzy up and energize that particular scene. Rather than add to the unbearable cheesiness of the film, it provided a perfect end to the intentional cheesiness of the film. Moreover, the dimming of the lights, a mix of side lighting and backlighting, warmly illuminated the awe in the characters' faces and suggested their engagement in the love-at-first-sight phenomenon, which was particularly reminiscent of the "hazy" aura and the "only-two-people-in-the-world" sentiment that Drew Barrymore's character Josie Geller in Never Been Kissed had uttered.

All in all, Love Again does answer Rob's question. At least in the lovebirds' particular situation, it was possible to fall in love with someone through their words. The poeticism of Mira's words recalled my own passion for poetry and creative writing and, perhaps, does what I always hoped my words would do.

Mira's words had been written so impassioned, eloquently, and vividly that they encapsulated and ensnared Rob's love and fascination.

Presented to the world was an ode to the classic rom-com, and it is definitely worth a watch.

3.75/5 Stars

P.S. I found Celine Dion's tracks a little disappointing. They were more mainstream than classically hers. Also, as an artist myself, I do wish that the poster Mira had to design for Celine Dion was shown at the end. Also, what was with the surprise appearance of Nick Jonas? That was a bit too bizarre, considering his tie with the female protagonist.