Rendezvous mit Torten

<3 such a lovely and warm watch - yara shahidi shines! All the best elements of a fun tale of friendship. I laughed! I cried! I treasured what was not fiction (*the magic of friendship*)! WE loves titles that prioritize friendship and love with a perfect ending. Wish I could take a slice to-go but instead I will be rewatching quarterly. Odessa is also a star in this flick, as both young women show humility and promise in their empathetic depictions of such a story! Also love that they honoured Shahidi's family ensuring that her real family dynamic is depicted, as a black and iranian young lady!

As described by the literal title of this 2023 tearjerker, it's a wafer-thin concept wrapped around a familiar terminal illness story based on a significant chapter in screenwriter Audrey Shulman's own life. Directed in an uneven manner by Trish Sie, the plot focuses on best friends Jane and Corinne, early twenty-somethings who have been close since age seven. Similar to this film's predecessors from 1971's "Brian's Song" to 2022's "Spoiler Alert", the two are total opposites in their approach to life, but they bond even deeper through the inevitable tragedy. The two leads do solid work - Odessa A'zion as the outgoing Corinne and Yara Shahidi as introverted Jane even though her character's awkwardness is laid on awfully thick initially. The emotionalism behind the drama really can't transcend the predictable plot machinations and aggressive tearjerking moments like the concluding karaoke scene. The supporting performances feel marginalized, in particular, Rish Shah as Jane's smitten love interest and an underutilized Bette Midler as Corinne's firebrand boss. Ron Livingston and Martha Kelly manage a few good moments as Corinne's parents. Fans of this familiar film genre will likely enjoy it.

Great acting from all in this movie. I laughed, I cried and Lots of smiling. I'm so glad I tuned in to this film. Although the beginning is super cute - out going and fun, as there have mentioned - it gets sad mid way. I had hopes that the story would change direction but it didn't and so have tissues ready. Ron Livingston is a great dad, Bette is amazing as always but the 2 stars of the film nailed every scene - amazing talent for those 2 young women. I sure hope to see them in many more films. Lastly, it's a true story and I'm glad it was made - truly honors her best friend in every possible way. Thanks you for sharing this story with us.

Knowing nothing about this movie going in, the first 20 minutes sets up like it's going to be a romantic comedy. Introvert learns how to be outgoing and gains the confidence to talk to the guy she has a crush on. What you get instead is something much more poignant and, at times, tough to watch. The whole second half of the movie is pretty sad, with just a few moments of much-needed levity from Corinne's parents. It's not a great movie, but it's hard not to get caught up in the story and feel something by the end. It did make me want to bake a cake or two. And I love the idea of the two Billies tour. Let's make that happen.

I didn't know anything about this movie before I watched it. After watching it, I would recommend it to everyone. It's a feel good movie in the sense that two lifelong best friends show how when you find "your person" they become framily, and framily gets you: good, bad or indifferent. It's about seeing the best in other people and wanting to help them shine.

This movie is bittersweet, and sad at times, but it never loses sight of its original intent. I recommend watching it with your best friend, or someone you feel close too, and afterwards reminding them how much they mean to you! Bette Midler is fabulous as always!