Ordinary Things

I think that this film is suitable for all ages and would be a good choice for a family movie-night. You can watch it with your kids, parents, grandparents, and everyone will find something relatable and entertaining in this story. The film opens up with a comforting narration that reveals some history and introduces us to the main characters. The camerawork is beautiful and the acting is warm and sincere.

The plot of this film is somewhat simple and yet quite intriguing. What happens if our prayers get suddenly answered? Well, sometimes it might startle us and leave us with more problems to solve then we expected.

Ordinary Things takes a familiar rom-com setup-friends faking a relationship-and twists it into something heartfelt and unexpectedly layered. What starts as a sweet deception to comfort a dying mother turns into a tangled mess when she makes a miraculous recovery, forcing Dannie (Cristina Duchesne-Rivera) to face a truth she never saw coming: maybe the lie wasn't a lie at all.

What makes the film work is how effortlessly it balances humor and sincerity. The chemistry between Duchesne-Rivera and Julian Simoes (Tyler) is never forced, making their shift from childhood best friends to something more feel earned. The comedy lands without trying too hard, and the emotional beats hit just right, avoiding over-the-top melodrama.

Director Micah Caronna keeps the pacing tight, ensuring the film never overstays its welcome, while Jennifer Tobler's script infuses the characters with warmth and authenticity. Vanessa Rodriguez also deserves a mention as Dannie's mother, adding both heart and humor to the mix.

At its core, Ordinary Things is about love in all its messy, complicated forms-romantic, familial, and even self-love. It's not trying to reinvent the genre, but it doesn't have to. It's simply a well-executed feel-good film that reminds us that sometimes, the best things in life aren't planned.

"Ordinary Things," directed by Micah Caronna and written by Jennifer Tobler, is a refreshing romantic dramedy that beautifully captures the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery.

The story follows Dannie, a lovable yet indecisive protagonist, as she navigates an unconventional journey of faking a wedding to comfort her terminally ill mother. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when her mother miraculously recovers, leaving Dannie to wrestle with the truth and her growing feelings for Tyler, her childhood best friend. This charming premise is skillfully brought to life with humor, heart, and just the right amount of emotional depth.

The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, making their transition from friends to something more feel natural and genuine. The film's blend of lighthearted moments and poignant family drama strikes a perfect balance, leaving audiences both laughing and tearing up.

Caronna's direction ensures the pacing never drags, and the script by Tobler is filled with witty dialogue and relatable character arcs. The themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and embracing life's "ordinary" moments resonate deeply and will linger long after the credits roll.

If you're looking for a feel-good movie with a unique twist on the romantic comedy genre, "Ordinary Things" is a must-watch. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary stories come from the simplest decisions.

Ordinary Things is a perfectly effective and charming romcom with appealing performances and some good, solid laughs. The faith aspect is handled in such a way that unbelievers like myself won't feel too alienated, and the dynamics of the plot keep moving briskly along and ensure that the audience is never less than entertained.

Sweet and well-judged central performances keep everything on track even when the mechanics of the plot require some serious suspension of disbelief, and you'd have to be a particularly sour kind of viewer to take against the movie. It might be worth giving the trailer a skip and going in cold; knowing the details of the premise ahead of time might take some of the sparkle off the first act.

It's a warm cup of cocoa in movie form.

I'm going to be quite candid. This is not the typical sort of movie I rent. However, I came upon it, read the storyline, watched the trailer and thought, why not. Boy am I glad I took a leap of faith. What a true delight of a movie. It hit me right in the heart and it contained humor at the same time. The movie was very touching but not over the top. I loved the actors. They were all so good and believable. The hospice care hit home for I went through that with my dad so it was all so relatable and this area was done so well. I loved the story! It was very well written. I enjoyed the pacing of the movie. My hats off to Director Micah Carona. There were no flat spots for me. The film moved along at a very nice pace. So for this little gem of a film it's a big thumb's up!