“Love Again,” a romantic-comedy musical, revolves around the lives of a Scottish music journalist, Rob Burns (Sam Heughan), and a grieving children’s book illustrator, Mira Ray (Priyanka Chopra Jonas). With Celine Dion playing an unexpectedly significant role in the story, the film attempts to showcase the healing power of love through the characters’ intertwining lives.
Rating: 2.3/5
Story and Screenplay:
Adapted from Karoline Herfurth’s 2016 film “Texts for You,” “Love Again” follows Rob as he receives a new assignment to profile Celine Dion, who is experiencing a cinematic resurgence. As Rob reluctantly takes on the task, he crosses paths with Mira, who is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend, John (Arinzé Kene), from two years prior.
The story unfolds when Mira, in an attempt to cope with her grief, starts texting her deceased boyfriend’s old phone number, which now belongs to Rob. Set against the backdrop of a sanitized version of New York City, the film traces the burgeoning romance between Rob and Mira, exploring their shared interests and their willingness to open up to love once again.
Unfortunately, the screenplay is marred by clichéd tropes, predictable plotlines, and an implausible insertion of Celine Dion’s character. Though the film strives to be heartwarming, it often falls short, succumbing to the trappings of the typical Hallmark Channel romantic-comedy.
The Story and the Plot:
“Love Again” follows the story of two seemingly incompatible individuals, music journalist Rob Burns (Sam Heughan) and grieving children’s book illustrator Mira Ray (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), as they navigate through the complexities of love and loss. The film takes place in a sanitized, picture-perfect version of New York City, which sets the stage for this romantic-comedy.
The plot begins with Rob receiving an assignment to write a profile on Celine Dion as she embarks on a new tour. Though initially reluctant, Rob takes up the assignment, which eventually leads him to cross paths with Mira. Mira is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend, John (Arinzé Kene), who died in a tragic accident two years prior. As a coping mechanism, she begins to text John’s old phone number, unaware that it has been reassigned to Rob.
The film’s central premise revolves around this unique and somewhat implausible setup, where Rob discovers Mira’s identity through the intimate texts she sends to her deceased boyfriend’s phone number. Intrigued by Mira’s vulnerability and driven by his own curiosity, Rob tracks her down, and the two begin a whirlwind romance. Their relationship develops through shared interests and playful exchanges, slowly opening them up to the renewed possibilities of life and love.
While the story attempts to explore themes of love, loss, and healing, it is often marred by predictable romantic-comedy tropes, such as the Big Lie. Rob’s decision not to disclose the truth about the texts to Mira drives the tension in their relationship, with the audience left waiting for the inevitable moment when his deception will be revealed.
The inclusion of Celine Dion as a significant supporting character adds a layer of novelty to the plot. As an executive producer, performer, and co-star, Dion plays herself in the film, transforming from a celebrity interviewee into Rob’s personal love guide. Her role, however, feels forced and serves as a promotional tool for her music, detracting from the overall narrative.
In summary, the story and plot of “Love Again” have the potential to be a heartwarming romantic tale, but they are hindered by cliched tropes and a heavy-handed focus on Celine Dion’s involvement. The unique premise of the story is overshadowed by its predictability and lack of originality, making it difficult for the film to stand out among other romantic-comedies.
Direction and Editing:
Directed by Jim Strouse, “Love Again” occasionally struggles to find its footing amid its awkwardly shoehorned star power and clichéd narrative. The film relies heavily on the charm of its lead actors and the appeal of Celine Dion’s music to keep viewers engaged. However, this emphasis on star power ultimately detracts from the story’s emotional depth, leaving the audience with a superficial experience.
The editing of the film does little to alleviate its problems, with certain scenes feeling abrupt and unintentionally comedic. The pacing of the movie also suffers, with the story plodding along in a predictable manner until it reaches its inevitable conclusion.
Songs and Background Score:
Celine Dion’s involvement in “Love Again” goes beyond her acting role, as she also serves as the executive producer and contributes new songs to the film’s soundtrack. Dion’s music has the potential to elevate the film, but instead, it becomes a crutch that the movie leans on far too heavily. While her songs are undeniably powerful, their inclusion feels more like a promotional tool for the singer than a genuinely organic element of the story.
Cinematography:
The cinematography in “Love Again” does little to stand out, presenting a clean and polished version of New York City that lacks any sense of realism or grit. While the visuals are undeniably pleasing, they contribute to the film’s overall superficiality, preventing it from resonating on a deeper emotional level.
Performances:
In “Love Again,” the lead actors Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas deliver engaging performances that manage to hold the audience’s attention despite the film’s shortcomings.
Sam Heughan, as music journalist Rob Burns, showcases his versatility by portraying a cynical, unsentimental character with a touch of humor and charm. Heughan’s natural charisma and on-screen presence make the character of Rob more likable than the script might have allowed. As the story progresses, Heughan effectively conveys Rob’s emotional growth and vulnerability, making his transformation more believable.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, in the role of Mira Ray, brings warmth and depth to her character. Mira, a grieving children’s book illustrator, is portrayed with sensitivity and nuance by Chopra Jonas, who successfully conveys her character’s emotional journey through her expressive eyes and subtle gestures. As Mira gradually opens up to the possibility of love again, Chopra Jonas’s performance manages to evoke empathy from the audience.
The chemistry between Heughan and Chopra Jonas is palpable, which makes their on-screen relationship more convincing. Their shared moments, filled with light-hearted banter and emotional exchanges, often become the highlights of the film.
The supporting cast, however, does not leave as strong an impression. Although they provide occasional comic relief and contribute to the film’s overall narrative, their characters lack depth and remain largely forgettable.
Arinzé Kene, as Mira’s late boyfriend John, has limited screen time and is unable to make a lasting impact.
Steve Oram, as Rob’s editor, plays a functional role but is not given enough material to stand out.
In conclusion, while the lead actors’ performances are commendable and help elevate “Love Again” to some extent, the lack of well-developed and memorable supporting characters prevents the film from achieving its full potential.
Action and Choreography:
“Love Again” is not an action-packed film, but it does feature a few scenes that require choreography, particularly in the musical sequences. The choreography is competently executed, providing some entertaining moments throughout the film. However, it’s not enough to compensate for the movie’s overall weaknesses.
Costume Design and Art Direction:
The costume design in “Love Again” is well-done, with each character sporting a distinct style that reflects their personality. Mira’s wardrobe, for example, is colorful and eclectic, while Rob’s attire is more conservative and professional. The art direction is also visually appealing, creating a picturesque version of New York City that, while unrealistic, is pleasant to look at.
Conclusion:
“Love Again” is a film that had the potential to be a charming and heartwarming romantic-comedy, but it ultimately falls short due to its reliance on clichéd tropes, predictable plotlines, and an awkward integration of Celine Dion’s star power. While the lead actors deliver engaging performances and the film’s visuals are undoubtedly pleasing, these elements are not enough to overcome the movie’s shortcomings.
Despite its flaws, “Love Again” may still appeal to fans of romantic-comedies and those who adore Celine Dion’s music. However, for viewers seeking a fresh take on the genre or a more emotionally resonant experience, this film may disappoint.
Final Rating: 2.3/5
Reasons for 2.3 Rating for Love Again
- Predictable Plot and Clichéd Tropes: The film relies heavily on familiar romantic-comedy tropes and follows a predictable storyline, which detracts from its overall appeal and fails to offer a fresh take on the genre.
- Awkward Integration of Celine Dion: While Dion’s involvement in the film may initially pique interest, her role feels forced and ultimately serves as more of a promotional tool for the singer rather than adding depth to the story.
- Lack of Emotional Resonance: The film’s central relationship is built on a troubling foundation of deceit, which diminishes the emotional impact and makes it difficult for viewers to fully invest in the characters and their journey.
- Unrealistic Setting: The sanitized and picturesque version of New York City presented in the film feels removed from reality, which may distract some viewers and hinder their ability to connect with the story.
- Unmemorable Supporting Characters: The supporting characters in “Love Again” are not particularly well-developed or memorable, which contributes to the overall lackluster impression of the film.
Despite these shortcomings, there are some redeeming qualities that justify the 2.3 rating, such as the lead actors’ engaging performances, the visually appealing art direction and costume design, and the competent execution of the film’s few choreographed sequences.
