Do you believe in fate? Or do you believe that your personal Truman Show has to recycle the extra people in your life? Has a coincidence ever occurred that you either couldn’t or flat-out refused to explain? Me neither. And, yet, for some reason, I still do believe in fate on some level. I don’t know why – maybe it’s just more fun to believe things in your life are a lot less random than they appear.
Ignore his would-be romance with Natasha (Yara Shahidi), leading man Daniel (Charles Melton) displayed a hot and cold relationship with the audience. The Korean-American New Yorker first spots Natasha checking out the constellation-filled ceiling at Grand Central Station. There are worse non-meet-cutes. Struck by her jacket reading “DEUS EX MACHINA” – inspiring words to a would-be poet- Daniel must meet her, whomever she is. So he takes to stalking Natasha. Not wild about that. And for a guy who has a strong belief in fate, he actually loses the girl and then keeps looking?! Not wild about that. Then, he saves the girl from a car determined to run down every pedestrian in NYC. Ambitious plan, oh reckless vehicle. So, let’s put the save in the “hot” column.
Daniel introduces himself, and we notice for the first time that although these two are supposed to of similar age on screen, Charles Melton is clearly older than Yara Shahidi. As of this writing, he’s 28 and she’s 19, which is a BIG DEAL in romance terms. 38 v. 29? Not so bad. 28 v. 19, however, may as well be of different generations. Not wild about that. Daniel convinces Natasha he can make her fall in love with him. Not wild about that. And then, in the ensuing café, I damn near wanted to break the guy’s face with the following exchange:
She: “…Mr. Plaid Tie”
He: “Did you say ‘Pad Thai?’ …” (Feigns offense at racist insult)
She: “No, so you can stop waiting for an apology”
He: “Oh, I’m waiting for something, but it’s not an apology.” (smarmy smile)
It’s not just that this is terrible writing, I mean first off key romantic moments really shouldn’t revolve around potential racism. The bad writing is exacerbated by the inglorious smug emanating from every pore Daniel has to offer with the delivery. Honestly, if I am Natasha, I leave. Now. Quickly.
But she didn’t.
Here’s Natasha’s story: she and her family are being deported to Jamaica. (Is that one of the “shithole” countries?) Natasha is the only one of her crew who hasn’t given up, but her experience has left her desperate and vulnerable. Daniel is unwittingly taking advantage of this. I’m not wild about that, either.
Geez, it’s a wonder I sat through The Sun Is Also a Star (do we like this title? We do not). Here’s the thing: we want Natasha to succeed in avoiding deportation. Perhaps if she finds love instead, we can call that a mitigating factor. And she accedes. Vulnerable, skeptical, a decade younger (in person, not character), perhaps influenced in a pushy fashion, Natasha still willingly allows herself to be wooed.
Does the film get better? More palatable? Oh yes, very much so. The second Daniel begins a karaoke rendition of “Crimson and Clover,” we know exactly how vulnerable he is as well: “I don’t even know her/But I think I could love her” is delivered equally as well as “not an apology” was appalling. Honestly, I can’t fault the guy for lack of trying.
Romance works best when you want to be in love with the people falling in love. Everything else, including deadlines and distance, are just distractions. Did I want to fall in love with these guys? No, then yes, then no, maybe a little by the end, hard to say. That’s not good enough.
♪I
I never have met her
But I bet I could get her
Grim One and Rover
Ah
She’s minding her beeswax
Not bothered by those facts
Grim One and Rover
Yeah
She looks a bit morose
So I’m gonna get up close
Grim One and Rover
Grim One and Rover
Over and Over
Grim One and Rover
Over and Over♫
Rated PG, 100 Minutes
Director: Ry Russo-Young
Writer: Tracy Oliver
Genre: Encouraging, discouraging, encouraging, discouraging romance
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Believers in fate
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Those not wild about over-aggressive suitors, which should be all of us
♪ Parody Inspired by “Crimson and Clover”
