I Want You Back (2022) Movie Review
Jenny Slate and Charlie Day star in "I Want You Back," a romantic comedy that sadly falls flat. The film introduces us to Emma (Slate) and Peter (Day), two friends dealing with recent breakups. Emma's relationship with fitness trainer Noah (Scott Eastwood) ended, while Peter got dumped by his long-time girlfriend, Anne (Gina Rodriguez), who also criticized him for being stuck in life.
The two heartbroken pals hatch a plan to sabotage their exes' new relationships and win them back. Emma targets Anne's new boyfriend, drama teacher Logan (Manny Jacinto), and Peter tries to break up Noah's new relationship with Ginny (Clark Backo) by becoming Noah's best friend. The goal is to avoid the pain of seeing their exes happy with someone else on social media and the challenge of finding new love.
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The plot is absurd and filled with delusion, creating a perfect setup for a rom-com. However, the film, directed by Jason Orley, doesn't fully embrace the potential darkness of its breakup-screwball concept. The friendship between Peter and Noah lacks charm, and Emma's attempts to woo Logan feel forced. The movie takes a shortcut by not giving much depth to the new partners, minimizing the impact of its talented ensemble.
Despite its nearly two-hour runtime, "I Want You Back" lacks the comedic energy needed to justify its duration. Many scenes feel like they need better jokes, whether it's poking fun at Peter's fitness or Emma's odd choice to volunteer for the school play. The film also resorts to easy targets, such as mocking Logan's artistic dreams, without delving into more substantial humor or exploring the moral implications of Emma and Peter's manipulative plot. Overall, the film falls short of its rom-com potential.
Jenny Slate and Charlie Day bring some life to "I Want You Back," but the movie struggles to shine despite their energetic performances. The director, Jason Orley, attempts to rescue a party scene with a cameo from Pete Davidson, but even these reliable actors can't fully save the film from its dull moments.
The plot takes unexpected turns, revealing how Emma and Peter's plan unfolds. However, the film lacks the spark needed to make it stand out in the romantic comedy genre. The final scene, featuring a clichéd use of an airplane, is particularly unoriginal and lacks thoughtfulness. "I Want You Back" seems stuck in the past, unwilling to explore new possibilities and settling for familiar rom-com tropes.