The Lovebirds ⭐️⭐️
Romantic comedies are a well-traveled genre. The number one ingredient that I look for remains if I can believe the two leads can be a couple, that the romantic spark is there.
There is chemistry between Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae, but for me it’s all in the friend zone, not love … and that hurts a movie with that magical four-lettered L word in the title.
Not only do they have great chemistry, but they look like a real couple that actually exists in America. It’s particularly refreshing to watch two people of color star in a movie like this, in a genre that has been dominated by white couples for so long, and absolutely crush it. It makes watching movies like this exciting again. Couples that look like real couples. What a concept!
‘The Lovebirds’ Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani Review
Obviously, I didn’t feel the same as the reviewer above, except for the part about them being a more “real” couple. That is true. Just real friends.
As we get into more details below, it’s necessary to throw down the SPOILER warning.
… you’ve been warned, SPOILERS ahead …
The trailer had (most) the good stuff
“Take the grease!” — that was the punchline we heard in the trailer repeatedly. I mean the lead-up in theater previews for this movie was off the charts. Sadly, as in the case of all too many trailers, the good parts we’ve already seen. Now, when the movie comes it’s like we’re rewatching the film. Let down.
What’s up with Issa Rae’s overly-white teeth?
Nothing wrong with teeth being white, but I swear every time Issa Rae smiles her teeth are too white. It threw me off from the story.
She’s a beautiful lady, absolutely. I don’t care how white her teeth are, nothing changes that, but this was distracting for me watching the film.
“But Hollywood smiles are full of veneers. They don’t simply bleach their teeth; they don’t have the original surface of their teeth. The standards are getting more and more impossible to achieve. Are we chasing a chimera? Absolutely.”
Blindingly White: Teeth Bleaching Gone Too Far – NBC
I remember Issa in The Photograph and her teeth weren’t that white. Actually think she looked hotter in that movie than this one.
Still, this overly white teeth complaint is a minor annoyance.
Crappy caper
My biggest beef with this movie is the script. It’s just bad. I think if the two leads had a better script with a caper that wasn’t outright corny and nonsensical, this would have been so much more fun.
Or, go The Whole Missy route and just make it a farce. Those that blast Happy Madison comedies, at least they go intentionally over the top. I couldn’t make out if this movie was trying to be too serious with the comedy. It just felt flat throughout most the viewing.
Reviews by Others
What do others think of The Lovebirds?
Recommended
- Alex Brannan / CineFiles Movie Reviews (Grade: C): “The script does not provide consistent humor, putting forward plenty of out-dated references but rarely a genuinely clever joke. It does better work fleshing out a grounded relationship for its eponymous pair, but even this falls short of emotional effectiveness.”
- Arianne Binette / The UnderSCENE: “Sometimes a film doesn’t need to be everything to actually be good and The Lovebirds is just that. It does just enough for you to enjoy the story and yourself at the same time.”
- blackwatchmovies: “…reminded me of Game Night mixed with elements of Queen & Slim (only because there is a couple on the run for a murder they are not really responsible for). You will laugh at the stupidest things in this movie. It is the good kind of absurd.”
- Britany Murphy / Geeks of Color: “…is certainly a must-watch for any lovers of comedies that are coupled with an intriguing murder mystery plotline. It easily pairs its comedy with moments of seriousness that work extremely well and adds realism to the film that would otherwise feel a bit unbelievable due to the murder mystery aspect.”
- Cristina’s Blog: “For those looking for an elaborate plot with eloquent screenwriting and elaborate cinematography, you may find that The Lovebirds falls short. But take it for what it is – a whimsical, silly romcom that you don’t need to read too much into.”
- DC Bolling / DC’s Take (Grade: B-): “Even though it won’t be labeled as the funniest comedy to come out this year with a script that isn’t the best, you’ll easily get some enjoyment from Rae and Nanjiani’s chemistry with genuine laughs in between.”
- David Crow / Den of Geek: “As an action-mystery, The Lovebirds is a little imbalanced and imperfect. As a portrait of a couple rediscovering everything they like about each other, it’s charming and stubbornly hopeful. The old dating adage comes to mind: Every relationship ends, until it doesn’t. Every mystery is unsolvable, until it is.”
- Dewey Singleton: “…is the cinematic equivalent of Cotton Candy. It’s sweet on the surface and for brief moments can be satisfying, but the film is an empty experience.”
- Finn Schlote / Cinemaspot.com: “…is a perfectly fine Netflix comedy, with charming leads and some funny scenes. It benefits from it’s short runtime and therefore is an entertaining watch. For fans of the comedy genre or if you just want to have an easy watch, this is the one to go.”
- HCMovieReviews: “…is an easy and entertaining watch that feels right at home on Netflix, rather than on the big screen. It’s most definitely better than a lot of the original Netflix content that it has similarities with, its collection of well written comedy and superb leading actors setting it apart.”
- High Contrast: “I would like to see Rae and Nanjiani work together again sometime. They make The Lovebirds worth a watch despite its flaws. Just don’t expect anything other than a formulaic (and short) bit of escapism with a few laughs.”
- Keith & The Movies (3/5): “I wouldn’t say they are brimming with romantic chemistry, but as a comedy duo they pair up nicely doing a lot with little and ultimately keeping “The Lovebirds” afloat.”
- Leo Rydel / Geekly Goods (6/10): “While I can’t say I’ll find myself watching this movie again, it was fun to sit through two of my favorite stars going through a quick hour and a half murder mystery together.”
- Mirza Baig / Welcome To The Movie Ark: “…is a funny enough comedy to guarantee as a one-time watch.”
- MoodyB / The Cinema Critic: “Though it contains a very minimal and generic plot, thanks to the undeniable chemistry from its two extremely likeable leads, Lovebirds is not a particularly memorable, but surprisingly enjoyable 86 minutes.”
- Nathaniel Muir / AIPT: “In between all the great comedy and so so action is a couple who love each other. They exchange knowing glances and there is a feeling of genuine love here. More than anything else, this separates The Lovebirds from similar movies.”
- R. Crunden’s Blog: “It’s a fast paced comedy movie that’s a perfect escape for those in the mood for something light!”
- samhowe98 (3/5): “I never felt fully gripped or engaged in the story enough to really love the film, and it very much only gets by on the charisma of its lead two stars.”
- Shane Vassar / Not A Real Person Yet: “It’s not a perfect movie by any means, but it does provide some good laughs and helps prove that both Nanjiani and Rae are going to continue to find a lot of success in Hollywood.”
- TheFlemishSeth: “…isn’t as romantic as the title suggests, but for sure is a (mostly) good time with two hysterical lovers, taking us on a personal journey through their relationship’s ups and downs while getting in all kinds of trouble.”
- Trailer Trashed: “It’s not original, but it is pretty funny at times, so for a quick pick me up in these dire times, I guess it’s worth your time. “
Not Recommended
- Jeffrey Kan / Differing Opinions: “There is nothing genuinely funny in this movie that wasn’t already in the trailer; the most it received from me was a chuckle after a frat boy is labeled “little Brett Kavanaugh” (but that’s also going to be an outdated joke soon). Just watch The Big Sick; you’ll have a much better time.”
- Mark Tan / Full Circle Cinema (4/10): “No doubt are there more unpleasant comedies than this, and I am at least grateful to not pay to see this in a theater. But when that statement counts as a compliment, you know something is not right”
- Tom Moore / Moore Reviews (2/5): “Rae and Ninjiani make it a perfectly serviceable comedy, but it lacks literally anything else to make it a step above and it’s the kind of okay movie you watch only for it to quickly fade from memory”
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