Netflix’s latest romantic comedy aims to satisfy the part of us that longs for a classic love story. Based on the novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, it features a strong cast and a quirky narrative gimmick. Unfortunately, despite its charming meet-cute and solid acting, Love at First Sight is ultimately a snoozer.
The Story
Love at First Sight is a cute, breezy film about two people who meet and fall in love on a plane ride. While the story is a little predictable, it’s still an enjoyable movie. The leads, Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy, have a great chemistry together. The movie is based on the novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith. Director Vanessa Caswill and writer Katie Lovejoy have taken creative liberties with the source material.
Richardson and Hardy have a nice on-screen chemistry, but they lack the dramatic weight that would make this a truly satisfying film. The solar movies film does have some objectionable content, including blasphemy and 6 uses of the “s” word.
The Characters
The film is anchored by the chemistry of Richardson and Hardy. Their portrayals of a love-at-first-sight pair make the movie feel genuine and interesting, even for those with cynical sides. The story begins when 20-year-old Hadley Sullivan (Haley Lu Richardson) misses her flight to London for her father’s wedding and is re-booked on the next one. She sits next to Oliver Jones (Ben Hardy), a British 22-year-old Yale mathematics student.
Dexter Fletcher, who plays Oliver’s dad, is a familiar face to audiences, having acted in over one hundred films. He is known for his roles in movies like Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Kick-Ass.
The Plot
Love at First Sight is a rom-com with a refreshing twist. Its supporting characters are likable and its plot is endearing. It also boasts a surprisingly impressive soundtrack that pairs well with specific scenes. The movie follows Hadley Sullivan (Haley Lu Richardson) and Oliver Jones (Ben Hardy), two strangers who meet on a plane to London. The film takes a few liberties with the book it’s based on but it still manages to be true to its spirit.
Its biggest flaw is its reliance on coincidences and serendipity. It may be hard for viewers to suspend disbelief when the two characters keep running into each other despite their best efforts not to.
The Direction
Love at First Sight doesn’t break any new ground in the romantic film genre, but it offers a pleasurable viewing experience for viewers. The movie owes its success to the charming performances of Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy. Both actors manage to bring their characters alive and make the audience believe in their chemistry. Richardson does a great job of portraying Hadley’s quirks and her tenacity.
Hardy is also excellent as Oliver. The two of them manage to click in the first half of the movie and their chemistry is undeniable. The movie does get slightly boring in the second half as it focuses more on resolving their personal problems.
The Cinematography
The Netflix original film stars Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy as a pair of 20-somethings who meet on a plane ride after both missing their flight home. Directed by Vanessa Caswill and based on the novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer Smith, the film is set in London.
It is a classic story about two people meeting and falling for each other at the airport. Despite being somewhat predictable, the movie is an enjoyable watch thanks to its charming cast and the chemistry between Richardson and Hardy. It also avoids the cliched pitfalls of many modern rom coms by adding a few savvy twists to its plot.
The Soundtrack
Love at First Sight is a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre. While it sticks to a familiar plot, the film’s characters and storyline are well-written. Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy make a compelling pair in this movie. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their characters are well-developed. Paul Sanderson, the composer behind the hit Apple TV series Trying, created the soundtrack for this Netflix film.
The Good Place actress Jameela Jamil narrates the film, which adds extra layers to the story. She helps viewers connect with the characters and understand their struggles. This is one of the many reasons why the film has been so popular with audiences.