Love Again: Un peu, beaucoup, passionnément

If you're looking for a feel good, cheeky romance movie "Love Again" fits the bill. The romance between Mira and Rob was charming and sweet. I just wished the script had spent more time on the development of their relationship instead of so much time on the protagonist brooding over her deceased boyfriend. Priyanka Chopra and Sam Heughan portrayed their characters with sensitivity and humor. Their time together on screen just seemed rushed and did not allow much time for any depth in their relationship. That said, there were light and funny moments between them. Sam has great comedic timing, and Priyanka was very charming. Celine Dion seemed to be there more as a backdrop but had some pretty funny lines, which she delivered well. The music was classic Celine. I enjoyed the film overall and would recommend it to someone looking for a feel good, love-conquers-all romantic comedy.

Now I don't know about you, but if I started to get text messages from an unknown number that were emotionally revealing in nature, I think that I would politely inform the sender that they'd got a wrong number! Not so here, when the rather hapless "Rob" (Sam Heughan) starts to get messages that certainly tweak his interest, and that of his colleagues "Lisa" (Lydia West) and "Billy" (Russell Tovey). He is able to glean enough from her texts to eventually engineer a meeting (at the opera) and is soon introduced to "Mira" (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) who is still reeling from the death of her previous boyfriend in an auto accident - hence why she still thinks she is talking to him when sending messages to his old, now reallocated, phone number! Meantime, "Rob" has been tasked with getting an in-depth interview with the soon-to-tour Celine Dion and after a rather shaky start at a press conference, she decides to help our dippy hero to sort out his rather curiously developing relationship. To be fair to Heughan, he's not your archetypal pretty boy in this film, but that's only of slight benefit as the plot lurches from ridiculous to absurd before concluding in the only way it could (just ninety minutes later than it needed to be). The soundtrack does offer us a chance to recall just how powerful Miss Dion's voice is, but her acting ought to be something she consigns to the back of her sock drawer pretty sharpish - a recommendation that could be made for pretty much the entire cast (and the pretty lame writing, too). The only redeeming scene, I felt anyway, featured an health-obsessed Nick Jonas as her date who, upon realising that he wasn't going to get laid, starts to look for an alternative partner with whom to burn off the carbs from the drinks - while they are still in the cab! Nothing at all to write home about here, it passes the time amiably and forgettably enough but definitely does not need the cinema experience.

This rom-com is made especially for Celine Dion fans. Why? Cause she played an integral part to its plot. Not to mention so many of her songs were used in it. As someone who enjoys Celine's songs, I also enjoy this movie. Don't be discouraged by raters who insensitively said that the main character took too much time mourning her deceased boyfriend. Those kind of people are dead on the inside, that's why they couldn't empathize with people who are grieving. They don't understand the kind of effort it takes to come out of that dark place. Anyway, for those who still can feel love, do give this movie a try. You won't regret it. Especially if you're a Celine Dion's die hard fan.

I guess this is a remake of the 2016 German film SMS für Dich and based on a few things I knew about it before watching, I didn't expect to enjoy it...but I found the film oddly charming and not being a big fan of Celine Dion, I was really surprised how much I enjoyed her contributions. I particularly liked the story of how her and Rene's romantic relationship began (I hope that is true, because it makes for a great story).

The film is about Mira Ray, a children's book illustrator who's boyfriend John is killed by a drunk driver. It's two years later and she is still struggling to get her life back or back to life. In a moment of despair she texts John's old cell phone number. The phone number has been reassigned as a work phone for a music critic named Rob Burns. He is also dealing with heartache and Mira's heartfelt words speak to him and inspire him to go to the opera Orpheus and Eurydice, where they finally meet.

This was different than the typical two sided texting with a stranger as the texting was one sided and a little more voyeuristic.

Going in I really expected to dislike the film, I was a little turned off by the trailer with real-life couple Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas on what appears to be the most awkward first date (I can only hope that in real life they have far more chemistry) and again I have never been a Celine Dion fan. I do however love Sam Heughan and as awkward as it was to see him singing Celine songs, I really enjoyed seeing him in a contemporary romantic comedy.

I think romantic comedy fans will enjoy this film, especially those who have been touched by heartache or grief. I thought the overall story was endearing and I actually really enjoyed Celine Dion's role beyond the shameless self promotion, she had more depth than I expected...and I think shared a genuine part of herself. To that, I highly recommend this film for Celine Dion fans. I think they will be over the moon.

Well, it wasn't as awful as I had imagined it would be. Foremost, poor Sam Heughan just can't catch a a good script, a good opportunity...a good director? I dunno. Maybe this Scottish hunk will always be Jamie from Outlander. He's very good in outlander, strong and confident in his performances, but in other works he continually fails to engage the role. Or maybe he's just not enough box office material to get offered an opportunity to show his acting chops beyond the kilted hero. He's not connecting on screen, despite his chiseled good looks. It's a disappointment for one who's watched his career over the years.

The film? Oh, let's not get all worked up that's it not the greatest rom-com of all times. It's formulaic, banal and poorly written and we all know it was a platform for Celine. But there were a few moments of great delivery by all involved - a few laughs. The film isn't awful. Good enough for 5, maybe 6 stars. I'll give it 6 because of Heughan. One of these days, Sam, you'll get to sink your teeth into a role - and then we'll know if you're the It Guy. You're so freaking likable, I'll continue to place my bets on you.