Westside Messenger - April 23rd, 2023

www.columbusmessenger.com
In Entertainment
“Rye Lane” is sure to make you smile
It would be unfair to say that all of the romantic
comedies that have been released in the past few years
have been bad, but it would also be inaccurate to say
that a majority of those movies have that special quality
that makes them become a staple in the rewatch
rotation. In the case of the latest addition to this genre,
“Rye Lane” has that special quality and I believe it will
surely shoot up to the top of those pick-me-up comfort
lists for those who have the chance to see it on Hulu.
To be clear, there is nothing wildly out-of-the-ordinary
about the plot in “Rye Lane” — after all, it still follows
that well-worn path of opposites meetings, opposites
attracting, and then opposites being pulled apart
through complications of their own making — but the
story of those two opposites unfolds in such a vibrant
and joyous way that you cannot help but fall in love
with the duo and the movie despite how little the
action veers from the tried and true formula of its
predecessors in the genre.
At the center of this romantic comedy is Dom (David
Jonsson), a semi-successful twenty-something who is
still reeling from the sudden end of his 6-year relationship
with his “dream woman.” Since the split — which
involved a betrayal with his best friend since childhood
— Dom has done little with his life other than go to
work and gorge on sausage rolls from his favorite diner
in South London but an art exhibit that showcases the
importance of the mouth - “it’s the Stonehenge of the
face,” says his exhibitor friend — finally gets him out of
his parent’s house.
As he is browsing the pictures of a stranger’s teeth,
he checks his phone and sees that his ex-girlfriend Gia
(Karene Peter) and his ex-best friend Eric (Benjamin
Sarpong-Broni) have repainted the walls that he spent
months “breaking his back” doing. The evidence of
them moving on, essentially erasing his presence from
the flat, sends him to the bathroom so he can have a
private moment.
His private moment — which involves him sobbing
hysterically in the restroom — is interrupted by someone
in the unisex stall next to his. Profoundly apologetic
for the awkwardness, Yas (Vivian Oparah) asks
him if he needs help with anything but Dom essentially
tells her to move on.
A bit later, Yas strikes up a conversation
with the more collected Dom and the two
have such an easy rapport that they decide
to keep it going outside of the mouth-filled
walls. This action takes the audience to the
places in London we rarely get to see in the
cinema, and director Raine Allen-Miller
makes all of these charming and romantic
nooks that are prevalent in South London
secondary characters in the movie. These
places are as colorful and vibrant as Dom
and Yas, both opening up and sharing their
tales of woe with their most recent relationships
and bonding over their love for all of
these spots throughout Peckham and
Brixton.
There are multiple factors that make
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these scenes so special. There
are the conversations, which
seems so real and modern — a
true credit to writers Nathan
Byron and Tom Melia; there are
the locations that I mentioned,
so expertly brought to life by
Allen-Miller; and then there is
the chemistry between the characters Dom and Yas
and the actors who portray them. It has long been said
that romantic comedies live or die by the chemistry
between the main leads and these two have it in
spades. It will truly put a smile on your face to see
them taking those quick little glances at the other
when they think they are not being observed.
Although we are treated to so many cute moments
between these opposites — Dom is quiet and sensitive
and wears his heart on his sleeve while Yas is a bit
more guarded in every facet of her life — any romantic
comedy fan knows that there is the inevitable conflict
that could keep them apart. Not so surprising given
the tone in the rest of the movie, their conflict also
feels real and is easily something any one of us could
get caught up in as we try to make a positive impression
on others.
While there are some gripes to be had with the film,
such as the underdevelopment of the secondary characters,
“Rye Lane” is a wonderful and uplifting film
that will pretty much make you laugh and smile
throughout its scant 82 minute run-time. It is not as
over the top or as fantastical as other romantic comedies,
but it is real and magical all at the same time.
Grade: A-
The Reel Deal
Dedra Cordle
Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist.
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