Fix: Classic Rom-Com, Meta Homage To The Classic Rom-Com, You Always Thought Cameron From Ferris Bueller Was The Cuter One, Overworked Millennials, Escape From The Dumpster Fire News Cycle
Platform: Netflix
Netflix Summary:
Two corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses.
FYA Summary:
Harper and Charlie are assistants to rich, powerful, demanding execs—sure, it’s a grind, and they never leave work until their workaholic bosses do, but they’re so lucky to have their jobs. The fact that neither of them have a social life because they’re busy catering to the whims of extremely well-dressed tyrants is part and parcel of their dreams. Yay, work in the 21st century.
On the other hand, Harper hasn’t been on a date in ages, and Charlie’s girlfriend Suze is getting antsy, so when their chance meeting occurs over feeding the angry office toddlers a late-night dinner, Harper hatches a plan. If they can just get their bosses to fall in love (or bone), Harper and Charlie might have a chance of having some free time. What do they have to lose, except perhaps their jobs?
Familiar Faces:
Zoey Deutch as Harper
I haven’t seen Zoey in anything except truly awful movies, Vampire Academy and Before I Fall, so she basically charmed the pants off me here. (Although let’s be real: it’s on Netflix, I wasn’t wearing pants to begin with.) Her comedic timing and chemistry with Glen Powell immediately made her my new favorite rom-com actress. It’s impossible not to love her in this role. I want to shout my love from the rooftops, and maybe I will, during the next political protest where I have to shout other things that I didn’t think really needed saying: “I DON’T APPROVE OF KEEPING KIDS IN CAGES, OR JAILING ASYLUM SEEKERS, AND ALSO SET IT UP IS VERY GOOD. ZOEY DEUTCH IS A NATIONAL TREASURE.”
Glen Powell as Charlie
For those of us who always preferred Cameron over Ferris, meet Glen Powell, who has appeared in Hidden Figures, among other films.
Lucy Liu as Kirsten
Our own Kandis pointed out on Twitter that Lucy Liu is FIFTY YEARS OLD. Someone has an aging portrait in their attic, and I want one, too.
Taye Diggs as Rick
Everyone’s favorite Twitter follower plays an egotistical ass with anger management issues here.
Pete Davidson as Duncan
Mr. Ariana Grande is a delight as Charlie’s snarky roommate.
Tituss Burgess as Creepy Tim, the Elevator Dude
Oh, Tituss Burgess, you were the only reason I tried watching the second season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but now I have you here, and I don’t have to go back to that disappointment.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Date Night/Friends’ Night In
I love holing up in my apartment to watch Netflix as much as any introvert, but I was genuinely sad I wasn’t watching this surrounded by my best girlfriends. From the sharp dialogue (the discussion of “men think they love girls who love sports” was perfect), the raunchy comedy that had me hiding behind my hands, to just wanting to say “aww” with people who would understand, maybe I should have waited. Hey, book club, are you ready for a party? I’ll even put on pants.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Just A Bit
Three cheers for a rom com that has so few questionable ethical or anti-feminist moments that no one needs to drink to suspend disbelief or rage. (Leap Year, I’m looking at you.)
Use Of Your Streaming Subscription: Mandatory
When Netflix promised that they were releasing a summer rom-com, I didn’t have particularly high hopes—I had just watched The Kissing Booth—but the trailer drew me in, and hey, the subscription was already paid. By the time it was finished, I felt like emailing them in all-caps to shout about how this is what the world needs right now. It’s a dumpster fire out there in the real world, and watching or reading about pretty people falling in love will always be my favorite escape. MORE, PLEASE.
