And Mrs

Based on the title, graphics and casting, I had expected this to be a Rom Com, but aside from one moment towards the end of the film where people are running through the streets of London with a wedding dress, where it gets very 'Love Actually', it isn't that at all.

It's actually quite dark, looking at love, unconventional love, grief, loss and how to handle it all.

There's a great cast and a really solid story, but it just never knows what it wants to be as a film. There are some cute moments, some really earnest moments and definitely some touching parts of the story.... But it flips back and forth rather confusingly and Gemma's (Aisling Bea) relationship with her friends and family changes on a dime without explanation, almost as though some scenes were lost in the edit.

That being said, it's well worth a watch, just not on a night when you want to watch something light and fluffy.

It's been a while since I've seen a film at the movies that had that classic blend of humor and drama, striking a perfect balance between heartfelt moments and lighthearted comedy. The characters felt so genuine, their emotions raw and relatable, which made it easy to get completely invested in their journeys. There were times when the tension or sorrow of a scene had me on the edge of my seat, really feeling for what they were going through, and then, just when it felt like the emotions were about to peak, a burst of humor would land and lighten the mood. Some of those comedic moments were so well-timed, I found myself cackling a bit too loud, unable to hold back my laughter. It reminded me of how films can take us through a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you both touched and entertained by the time the credits roll.

A fresh romantic comedy directed by Daniel Reisinger and penned by Melissa Bubnic takes a contemporary approach, reflecting the latest cultural shifts. The mention of Soros in the credits sheds light on the underlying influences at play. Marketed as a charming and humorous exploration of grief and everlasting love, this film challenges the notion that death is a taboo subject. Reisinger's AND MRS skillfully employs humor to navigate a challenging premise. After the sudden death of her fiancé, Gemma finds herself torn between her hesitations about marriage and her overwhelming sorrow. When she learns of an obscure law permitting posthumous weddings, she and her estranged future sister-in-law embark on a quest for an extraordinary solution. However, complications arise...

Aisling Bea delivers a standout performance as Gemma, and the film offers several thought-provoking quotes that linger long after viewing.

A very modern romcom drama tragedy hybrid kinda film with some funny moments and watchable enough but without ever hitting the heights. The writing is ok, the story of a bereaved girlfriend wanting to still go through with the marriage to her recently dearly departed is novel enough and the cast is in the main decent but it just doesn't come together as a whole. It flits between comedy and drama but the transitions are a bit jarring, the chemistry between the characters isn't there and you just don't care enough to engage with them nor the story. It isn't terrible and as said it's worth a watch, but it feels like it's trying to be a Richard Curtis style film and to be honest, it falls a long way short...

"And Mrs." is dedicated to the grievers and the grieving. So from someone who grieves, "Thank you, everyone, who worked on this movie!" One of the characters says in the film that love is eternal. This is so true. People's spirits are with us long after those people have passed on. May we always treasure the love people have given us. I also especially appreciated the writing, the integrity of the characters, and the humour. Didn't hurt to have an American TV love song at the center of the movie (that is, the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You"). Wonderful to see one of Tom Hanks' sons and Carrie Fisher's daughter in action. (If a fan of Fisher, I recommend reading Billie Lourd's quotes, particularly the one where she says she had 3 parents). And remember on Trivia Night: no googling the answers!