Love Again

  • 20 May - 26 May, 2023
  • Mag The Weekly
  • Reviews

For Mira, coping with her ex's unexpected death proves to be difficult. She tries to move on using dating apps after being encouraged to do so by her sister, but she is unsuccessful in doing so. To the amazement of Rob, who is captivated by this woman he has never met before, she texts his old number as she attempts to digest the death of her fiancé. As he does an interview with Celine Dion—playing herself—ahead of the start of her new tour, this diverts him.

Since we don't have a lot of time to get to know Mira's ex before his terrible demise, it's up to Priyanka Chopra Jonas to make us feel Mira's anguish through her acting. She succeeds in doing this, but the story loses us when it turns to focus on Rob (Sam Heughan). It's odd that the character is a music writer who is unfamiliar with Celine Dion's music, and Rob's lack of a past doesn't help either. Additionally, when Rob's interest in this unidentified woman grows, he decides to stalk her, which results in their meeting approximately halfway through the movie.

Nick Jonas makes a brief cameo and, in ironic casting, hilariously portrays a single-minded jock. On the other hand, Celine Dion's portrayal of a love guru/agony aunt is intriguing. The most intriguing and moving part of the movie is when she talks about losing her real-life spouse, René. You don't have to be a fan to identify with her emotions.

Beyond that, however, all investigations into grief and trauma are immediately dismissed. Odd editing decisions prevent scenes from breathing, which is likely a result of the jagged screenplay. Only fleeting comic relief provided by the cameos breaks up the monotonous pacing of the movie. Even the chemistry between the leads is in question. The recycled storyline of Love Again can't help but succumb to all the rom-com clichés by being saccharine and completely predictable with more cringe than comedy.

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