Director: Claire Scanlon
Writers: Sarah Rothschild (based on the book by Ali Hazelwood)
Stars: Lili Reinhart, Tom Bateman, Rachel Marsh, Jaboukie Young-White
Synopsis: After an impulsive kiss, two scientists end up in a fake relationship, testing their theories about love and each other.
The economics of modern-day movie making has noticeably shrunk the market for mainstream romantic comedies. Luckily, Claire Scanlon’s The Love Hypothesis is here to give you exactly what you want from a modern-day romcom.
For the same reason Hallmark movies keep attracting viewers, the well-worn romcom formula is a proven commodity for success. If you are looking for some genre subversion and bucking of conventions, look elsewhere. This is a mainline drip straight into the veins of those looking for exactly what you expect. Not that there is anything wrong with that. This is one of the best possible versions of a standard romantic comedy.
Lili Reinhart stars as Olive, a PhD student entering post-graduate work at Stanford University. Olive pines after fellow student Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), but she notices Jeremy is more attracted to her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh). In an attempt to push Anh and Jeremy together, Olive recruits Dr. Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman), nicknamed Dr. Evil for his sour disposition, to pose as her boyfriend. Adam also utilizes the fake relationship in an attempt to keep his research funding.
Olive and Adam spend more and more time together to keep up the ruse, while Olive attempts to loosen up Adam’s prickly attitude towards his students, including Olive’s roommate, Malcolm (Jaboukie Young-White). As their attraction grows, Olive attempts to join a prestigious research grant with Adam’s best friend Tom (Arty Froushan).
If this film follows those same romcom formulas, why would it be worth your time? Because this film has an understanding of the genre and what makes it successful. First and foremost, the female lead needs to be sweet, understanding, misunderstood, and beautiful. Olive checks all of those boxes. Secondly, the romantic interest needs to butt heads with the female lead, but ultimately succumb to her charms. That’s exactly what Adam does. Lastly, the film needs a silly reason for these two characters to come together and stay together for a prolonged period of time. The film nails all three of these facets.
As important as the romantic relationship is to the film, the surrounding friend group is just as important. This film essentially doesn’t happen without the addition of Anh as a character. Not only is she a well-rounded character of her own accord, her relationship with Olive is the driving force for all the good Olive wants to do in the film. Malcolm is equally as important, as he facilitates separate connections with both Olive and Adam. It also helps the friends group feels like actual friends.
All this being said, this is an R-rated film. After all, this is a romantic comedy…there’s going to be some sex. While not a harsh film, there is adult language and a third-act plot point that takes a sinisterly dark turn. It’s by no means out of left field, but it is a bit of a risk for a film like this to take such a serious detour. The plot point does come naturally and makes sense in the narrative, so it isn’t without merit.
This all works because of Reinhart and Bateman. Their connection may start a bit rocky, especially with Bateman’s beginning characterization, but their chemistry grows and the film progresses. Reinhart is such a beaming light of good character and quality, it almost doesn’t matter who the other guy is as long as she is on-board with him. The actress is acutely aware of her role in this film, and doesn’t take too many wild swings to distract from the end-goal for the audience. Bateman, donning an inauthentic American accent, also doesn’t do much to deviate from the formula, for the better. They make a very handsome couple and have palpable chemistry when the film gets to that point.
Marsh is so dynamic in her role, she could be leading her own romantic comedy. While her screentime with Duverney is limited, their chemistry never feels forced. Young-White never feels like the stereotypical gay friend inserted in for laughs, though he does fit that mold on occasion. A few other actors make small impressions, but those main five are the ones worth caring about.
If you are a lover of romantic comedies, The Love Hypothesis will give you that dopamine hit you desire. This film knows exactly what it is supposed to be and it plays out precisely how its audience expects it to. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, and it’s all the better for it.
