Natalie is an Australian architect living in New York and hates romantic comedies, a genre she seems to blame for -- and use in -- her romantic self-sabotage and general low esteem. Rebel Wilson is an Australian artist who has made her name in feel-good satirical comedy. The two here are a match made in rom-com heaven, Isn't It Romantic, the kind of tastefully pleasant, quietly brilliant film that appears early in the year and then everyone forgets about until the next romantic holiday season. Not that there are many of those. But this one has a few surprises up its sleeve.
When the cynical Natalie gets knocked out by accident, she wakes into a fantasy world in which she is the star of a romantic comedy. That means her female coworker is her enemy (though they are, in reality, close friends), her boss is her lover (though he really doesn't know who she is). That means her male coworker is as lucky in love as she is (though she really has a crush on him) and her grumpy neighbor suddenly becomes her flamboyantly gay best friend. That means NYC streets smell sweet and the gross realities of her life have been glossed over with flowers and spring colors. That means people periodically burst into song, have makeovers in minutes, and have little or no need for money. That means Tom Ellis is your doctor and you can meet Priyanka Chopra on the street.
Our leading lady herself is on fire here. Her usual brassy, sassy self takes center stage here, and Wilson takes it and runs with it. Ready for whatever life throws her way, she steps into a role whose name and occupation seem more artificial than Wilson herself. In fact, I wonder if the writers should have just made a meta movie about Wilson. As it is, though, Wilson doesn't do exactly as we expect; that is, she doesn't always go for gold with whatever life -- or, in this case, a fantasy -- takes her. Instead, she allows for several moments of pure deadpan delivery and, dare I say it, relatively quiet reflection that allow her to deepen her own emotional resonance as a viable person instead of a caricature.
And the film, helmed by Todd Strauss-Schulson, thankfully doesn't wear out its welcome. Intelligent enough to keep its high concept shtick to a tight hour-and-a-half, it keeps itself moving. It also never once flirts with cynicism or cruelty, which too often metafictional humor uses to stay relevant. Technically, the film relies on tropes and tricks of the genre and is thus loaded with references to staples like Pretty Woman, When Harry Met Sally, and My Best Friend's Wedding. Tonally, I'd compare it to the first half of Disney's Enchanted, especially in its lighthearted attempt to draw attention to itself as a fantasy, and of course its spontaneous musical number. With the flattering lights and soft glow of romance, the brazen humor and good nature of its leads, Isn't It Romantic is, for me, the surprise feel-good movie of the year. And with its message of empowerment and self-help to acceptance and love, it also has just enough smarts to make you want to go back for more.
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