SOMEONE GREAT: The Comedies Of Heartbreak

Someone Great is best pitched as Bridesmaids meets 500 Days of Summer — it’s a female led comedy with heartbreak, self-worth and self-realization at its core. The film is both raunchy and emotional, and is backed by an outstanding cast in Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin), Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect, Hairspray), and Dewanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It).

What’s perhaps most interesting about Someone Great, though, is that it’s writer/director Jennifer Robinson’s debut, and with it we’ll find she’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.

The Scoop

The film follows music journalist Jen Young the day after she’s been broken up with by romantic partner of nine years, Nate (played by Lakeith Stanfield of Sorry To Bother You). In grieving, Jen connects with two of her longtime best friends, Blair and Erin (played by Snow and Wise, respectively), for one last night out in the town before she endeavors off to San Francisco to start her new career. With a pop-up music festival taking place that night, the trio scurries for tickets, drugs, and overall contentment over the course of a shenanigan-filled day.

Behind The Casting

It may go without saying, but the cast behind this film is phenomenal. Gina Rodriguez absolutely adopts the role of Jen Young and is the captivating force behind Someone Great, but there is charisma spewing off nearly every performer as well. It was hard to not be drawn into the dilemmas of these characters’ lives. Admittedly, there are some less-than-spectacular performances, particularly by the male supporting characters in the film, but I feel that that’s more to do with what they were given and not so much a testament to their acting abilities, as Stanfield has had much stronger performances.

The acting may be worth applauding, but what I don’t believe will get enough credit in this film is the creative vision. There was some absolutely stunning camera work with overhead shots and color implementations that ranged from fluorescent pastels to a variety of street light hues. Cinematographer Autumn Eakin and backing team of creatives truly put the time and care into the production of this film, and it shows. I believe the colors and angles were reminiscent of 500 Days of Summer in that plenty of the shots were able to subconsciously emphasize emotions and add power to scenes.

With that, there is also a handful of well-captured long takes. There’s a particularly enjoyable scene early in the film when Jen is pouring her sorrows out to a stranger. The shot is captivating, and the clip’s dark humor is sure to draw out some laughs, and as the film progresses, it continually offers lengthy scenes and montages that are effectively implemented.

Perfectly Okay

I’ve mentioned the way Someone Great is reminiscent of other films, and although it does a lot right, it doesn’t quite leave the same mark as other films in its genre. It’s an enjoyable comedy with emotional sways, but the moments never feel too emotionally powerful which leads this film to be. . .perfectly adequate.

There is plenty of commendable realism in this film with the way it expresses thought processes and the spectrum of emotions that come after a break up, but the film also uses plenty that feels artificial and trope-y. By that, Someone Great uses scenes that were simply used for the laughs or to move the story forward without adding depth. Even with elements tied to the narrative that should be powerful, there’s a minor disconnect with the audience. With Jen and Nate’s relationship, for example, it is hardly explored justly, and the end result is an unfelt takeaway.

The film was more concerned with self-realization and the power of friendship, and in that it’s at least more successful, yet still there are hardly any barriers to get over or confrontations that add dramatic value. Because the conflicts are fluffed, the resolutions feel easy, and the film becomes predictable in its storytelling. For all the good that glues this film together, it suffers from a subpar script.

Someone Great: Conclusion

Although it’s not exactly faultless, Someone Great is visually stunning and adequately captures a certain relatability while exploring themes of lost love and the power of friendship. The film is held together by an exceptional cast, as Gina Rodriguez shines, and beautifully implements art direction to add to its story. Jennifer Robinson’s directorial debut is an enjoyably adult post-break-up comedy, and I’m excited to see what her future holds.

What did you think about Someone Great? What’s your favorite rom com? Let us know! 

Someone Great is now streaming worldwide on Netflix.