FIRST LOOK: Love, Guaranteed (2020) – Netflix

Whenever I think of Rachel Leigh Cook, and others probably do this sometimes (do you?), the movie Antitrust ⭐️⭐️½ comes to mind. She has this magnetic gaze in her eyes and although that underwhelming movie was far too geeky to generate widestream appeal, I see Cook’s name and think of her in that role. The computer nerdy graphic designer.

Obviously, Cook is getting older now (only age 40, that seems young to me, though), she’s past the unnecessarily glorified youth phase that Hollywood seems to think we primarily want to see on films. Darn it, show me more women in their 40s, 50s and 60s films, I’m all for seeing more of those more mature women. These aged people fall in love, too, you know?

Well, have to erase my self-imposed Cook typecasting and think of her as a lawyer in her new role in Love, Guaranteed, but it does involve a website, which again harkens back to Antitrust circa 2001. I might have to break out a post on that movie someday in how if you are a computer programmer, it has some strange appeal (not saying it’s a great movie, my review has it as 2.5 stars, but still like the nerdy backdrop, which Cook is very much a part of).

To save her small law firm, earnest lawyer Susan (Rachael Leigh Cook) takes a high-paying case from Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees love. But as the case heats up, so do Susan and Nick’s feelings for each other.

Everything You Need to Know About Love, Guaranteed Movie (2020)

Official trailer:

This has a curious premise with a man who can’t find love on dating websites and wants to sue the company behind the website that guarantees it. Yeah, we could see that happening in 2020. Whether or not it delivers an entertaining watch is another story. Cook sure has a nice hair style going in this, though. Is there an interracial love story brewing here as well? Could be. I like the trailer.

After consulting Cook’s filmography, most of her roles the last 15 years have been direct to video projects. I have seen pretty much none of them. Besides starring in this Netflix original, she is also producing. Don’t see a lot of prior producer credits, so if this film does well, maybe we’ll get to see more Cook starring and produced films. I don’t know if I’d call her an underrated actress, but I think she has a certain look and mystique to her face and expressions. As for her acting chops? She delivers her lines a little deadpanned and wooden. Am curious to see if her character in this movie is different.

Good news if you’re reading and want to see this right now, because it’s already available.

Love, Guaranteed is available for streaming on Netflix Thursday, September 3, 2020.