BY ROMEY NORTON MAY 20, 2024
This classic British rom-com boasts a stellar cast, starring Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris), Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton), John Hannah (The Mummy), Monica Dolan (Pride), Anita Dobson (Eastenders) and Mandip Gill (Doctor Who), and they are worth watching.
Synopsis
This Time Next Year is an adaptation by Sophie Cousens of her novel of the same name and tells the story of Minnie and Quinn, birthday twins, whose lives might have started together, but couldn’t be more different. One’s life is filled with luck, and the other misfortune, so is it fate they’ve been brought together, or is one scheming?
Review
The film opens with shots of London at night with upbeat jingle music - it’s Christmas in the capital. The most magical time of the year - for some. We’re introduced to our bumbling, fumbling, Millie, who can’t seem to catch a break. Compare this to confident, charming, and lucky Quinn, we have polar opposite people. However, the two hit it off instantly, and from here on we have almost two hours of their lives falling apart, bringing them together.
The concept is a bit weird and weak - Millie is convinced Quinn stole her “lucky” name which is the reason for all her bad luck. They then build a friendship-relationship through getting to know one another, and in turn, making the other person better.
The acting is fun and fairly good, but there are scenes with awkward chemistry and odd shot choices. The two leads don’t always gel together well, and their building romantic attraction isn’t truly believable. However, the secondary characters make the film, like Quinn’s mum and Millie’s boyfriend and bakery team. They’re quirky, and well acted.
As the story develops, the characters have a depth and arc, which drives their friendship and romance along; but it takes forever to get there. For a rom-com the runtime is far too long, dragging out scenes and following secondary stories that needn't be there as they add nothing to the viewer's experience.
Many scenarios are hard to believe, and therefore hard to relate to and invest in. Simple things like spending the night on the bathroom floor of a club - you’re telling me not one girl needed the bathroom and found her? Nope. Bits like this might make you disengage, so take them with a pinch of salt.
With a predictable, happy ending, what do we learn? That love conquers all? If you’re looking for your soul mate, it could be someone born on the same day as you. Either way, it’s a wholesome and fitting end, and will leave you smiling.
This Time Next Year tells a tale of friendship, romance, personal growth and plays with the concept of destiny. While the film is filled with every rom-com trope under the sun, from unrequited love, broken friendships, failing businesses, to a very over-the-top proposal, it’s not without its charm. But it lacks the magic that Richard Curtis has always managed to capture in British rom-com films. But don’t let that stop you from watching. It’s definitely worth adding to your list.
STAR RATING
This Time Next Year releases on digital platforms June 3
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