Ordinary Things

Ordinary Things" is a delightful rom-com that captures the magic of unexpected love and the power of family. When Dannie, played by the charming Cristina Duchesne-Rivera, concocts a plan to fake a marriage with her childhood friend Tyler (Julian Simoes) to fulfill her dying mother's wish, the stage is set for a heartwarming and humorous journey.

As fate intervenes and her mother's cancer unexpectedly goes into remission, the duo finds themselves caught in a web of their own making, leading to a series of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt revelations. The chemistry between Duchesne-Rivera and Simoes is both genuine and infectious, making their characters' evolution a joy to watch.

Vanessa Rodriguez shines as the mother, delivering a performance filled with warmth and a touch of skepticism that perfectly balances the film's lighter moments. Under Micah Caronna's skillful direction, "Ordinary Things" effortlessly blends humor with uplifting themes, leaving viewers with a sense of hope and joy.

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 is a light hearted, romantic feel-good movie by Director Micah Caronna.

The idea of the film is really good. Dannie (Cristina Duchesne-Rivera) fakes her wedding to her best friend Tyler (Julian Simoes), to please her Mother (Vanessa Rodriguez) as she succumbs to cancer, however she makes a miraculous recovery. Thus how and when does Dannie tell her Mother, that the marriage is fake?

I feel the film is for fans of Something's Gotta Give, Meet The Parents, Wedding Crashers, Dan In Real Life, Little Miss Sunshine and Friends. With that in mind, romantic comedy is the hardest genre and I feel the Director Micah Caronna, Screenwriter Jennifer Tobler, Producers Micah Caronna & Melissa Caronna, along with cast and crew have pulled off a solid, professional and earnest job.

The leads, Cristina Duchesne-Rivera and Julian Simoes are a believable on-screen couple, with an ensemble supporting cast.

However, I wish the film played more with the suspense of how and when the mother discovers the wedding is fake. I feel there is a lot of awkward, cute and endearing comedy that could have been attempted.

Second I felt the movie needed a little spark at points. A wacky uncle, a wild sister or a mischievous pet. Just something to give the film an injection of pace to the narrative.

That said the film is well lit and professionally shot by cinematographer Paula Mandarino. Further the colour grade (Colby Robison) is nice on the eye. The film has lovely locations (April Sneed), good costumes (Sarah Hicks), solid editing (Jarod O'Flaherty), good camera movement (Matthew McCoskey, Jessica Baker, Jason Avila, Ashley Anglade, Josiah Dockery, Carmen Shird and Charlotte Tobler) and good sound (Jamie Tobler, Asher Angled, Angled, Shelia Brown, Mayra Rodriquez and Alan Watkins). This is a professionally made movie.

For those who want a film, with it's heart in the right place, then Ordinary Things might just be for you.

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.

"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.