What Happens Later

I very sweet surprise featuring two wonderful, talented actors. I loved it! So glad I stumbled across this. Can't believe I hadn't heard of it. Surprised at the low reviews. Give it a shot. If you like romance movies with clever dialogue and actors with good chemistry you'll like What Comes Later:) So glad I found this movie! So great seeing Meg Ryan light up the screen again as only she can do. Also great seeing her work with David. Duchovny for the first time. They make a great pair and play really well off one another. I highly recommend this movie if you're looking for a New Romantic comedy to watch:)

The movie is mostly about two actors just talking. It doesn't have the strongest start, but it turns into a little magical gem of a film. It's not your typical cute romcom; you probably need to be more of a romance movie fan than a romcom enthusiast. It didn't make me feel too mushy inside, which is basically how I judge romance movies, but I still very much enjoyed it.

The writers were important for this. It's essentially watching two ex-married individuals, everything else very much in the background. Their interactions felt genuine, showing a sense of maturity. Wasn't loudly bitter and bickering. The airport voice added a humorous touch, slyly responding to their conversation. The Instacart line made me giggle, and the movie had many little quips like that.

The dialogue-heavy approach allows us to get to know the characters while also letting Willa and Bill catch up as they relive moments from their past, which is the plot. Some of it is painful, and some provides clarity. As the movie progresses, the chemistry between the two characters gets better, and the conversations become deeper. It even imparts some life lessons. I initially thought it might be a wannabe version of Richard Linklater's "Before" Trilogy movies or Chris Evan's "Before We Go," but it offers a sensible twist, portraying an older couple reminiscing about their younger selves. I enjoyed it, and it also reminded me of "Destination Wedding."

The writers did a pretty good job. Of course, it's not a film for everyone, as many may not want to spend over an hour watching just two people talk. The budget seems noticeably low, particularly in the outside views of the snowstorm, resembling flakes in a snow globe. But that doesn't detract from what the movie aimed to achieve.

The movie isn't entirely grounded in reality; it incorporates elements like the universe working in mysterious ways, adding a touch of magic. It brought back memories of when I got stuck at the airport in Germany, where they powered down everything at night; I didn't expect airports to do that either lol. The story has some twists and turns, but it's more about the chemistry between the two characters and their connections to other people in their lives.

Meg Ryan and David Duchovny are both about 23 white lines deep, at the same play in New York. During intermission, they run into each other while smoking a cigarette. It's fate! They must make this movie together! They skip the rest of the play and have a snowball fight instead. This movie is the result.

Now, none of this probably happened. But, while watching the movie, you feel how this should have been a two-person play. The exchange of dialogue screams the blow is good. Both actors over worked and stretch face pallets make you wish you could have downloaded this in 480p. But you can't turn it off because you love the actors, and you give it 2 stars above what it deserves for the same reason.

This move was excellent for people who grew up with Meg being America's sweetheart. It is a romantic fantasy for grown people with nearly grown children. NOBODY has approached life with children who are on the cusp of making their own defining life choices and not looked back at their own formative years and ask "what if?" It isn't a regret. It's just another part of growing as a human being and this movie captures it in a fun and beautiful way. It's not life changing stuff, it's just growing and empathizing with someone else's different experience than your's was. Particularly someone who was close to you and then drifted away. I can't even tell you how many people in my past I wish I could have an encounter like this. Trust me. If you're Genx and are a parent, this is a must see.

Long story short, this is entertainment for adults in a world run by children.

IN A NUTSHELL: I've often wondered what it would be like to randomly run into my old flames. Have you? Well, that's what this movie explores when Willa and Bill see each other for the first time in years when they're snowed in at an airport.

The film was directed by Meg Ryan and stars America's Sweetheart herself. She wrote the script with Steven Dietz and Kirk Lynn based on a play by Dietz called "Shooting Star."

THINGS I LIKED: It's great seeing Meg Ryan in another rom-com. It's been 8 years. My favorite rom-com of hers is You've Got Mail.

David Duchovny always does a great job and fits this role very well.

The setting of an airport is the perfect location for this couple to meet again. The analogy of baggage rings loud and clear.

We learn more about each of these characters slowly as the layers of their lives are stripped away from the surface-level conversations of the beginning.

I thought it was cute when David Duchovny's character unplugged an electronic poster that advertised a movie called "Rom Com" in order to use the outlet for his cell phone.

There is some subtle, welcome humor, mostly coming from amusing announcements on the PA system.

Fun fact: This was filmed at an airport in Arkansas.

I could definitely relate to being stranded in an airport. Life completely pauses. Many years ago, I was stranded with some other college students at the Denver airport due to a snowstorm. Flights were canceled and we wandered around, hoping there would be a magical break in the weather that would allow us to go on our way. We ended up sleeping on the floor because the chairs had permanent armrests that made it impossible to be comfortable. I remember waking up to the sound of an older woman asking, "Are they asleep? Poor dears." The end of the movie shows these words: "For Nora", offering a loving tribute to the late Nora Ephron, her former mentor.

The ending is sweet, touching, and appropriate.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: The rom-com genre usually features a charming couple falling in love. What we get here, instead, is talk of how a couple used to be in love. Of course, there is a remnant of that love, but we don't get the same satisfaction as we would if the outlook for a romantic future were possible with this pair. Unfortunately, there just wasn't much chemistry between the two very different characters, which made you wonder how they ever got together in the first place.

Because it's a rom-com, we want the couple to kiss, yet we know it would be entirely improper because one of them is married.

A lot of the banter is only mildly entertaining. The dialogue mostly reveals past mistakes and pain mingled with regrets and sad arguments.

I feel terrible saying this but Meg Ryan's facial plastic surgery is super distracting. She was perfect before and didn't need to do anything to her beautiful face.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be bored and certainly not be able to relate to this relationship. Some adults will be super bored too. (Fair warning) Profanity and several F-bombs Talk of premarital relations Talk of giving away a baby born out of wedlock Infidelity.

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