Netflix’s New Corny Rom-Com Is the Best Feel-Good Movie in Ages

Romantic comedy movies have always been there, and likely will always be there, even though the interest in watching a relationship between two lovers unfold in an often cheesy way is fluctuating. It has been a rough decade or so for rom-coms, as viewers have started to become fed up with the overly pretentious depiction of romance shoved in your face over the course of give or take 90 minutes. The relationships were either too boring, too unrealistic, or too exaggerated, and with the tendency to lean into romantic extremes, the interest in following along almost disappeared. However, a few years ago, streaming platforms found new success in the romantic comedy genre, when, particularly Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney’s successful rom-com, Anyone But You, forged a new path.

In recent years, many new rom-coms have been released on various streaming platforms, and the reasonable reception has marked a new era for the genre (perhaps a move inspired by pop icon Taylor Swift). However, on September 26, Netflix released a new rom-com, which is even more refreshing and promising than anything ever before. Lisa-Nina Rives’ French romantic comedy movie, French Lover added its unique touch to the genre. Starring Omar Sy and Sara Giraudeau as the main characters, the movie follows a famous actor, Abel Camara (Sy), and Marion (Giraudeau), a struggling divorcee, as they try to navigate their unexpected romance under the scrutiny of the public and everyone close to them. French Lover is a special kind of rom-com, and here is why.

An Intriguing Balance Between Realistic and Unrealistic

Rom-coms, particularly before the release of Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney’s movie, often left a sour taste after or even while watching them, as the love that was depicted on screen frequently failed to come across as authentic. Of course, the whole idea of the genre is to put an unlikely pairing at the center of the movie, throw some unrealistic hurdles their way, and wrap everything up with a bow of shiny comedy. While this can be entertaining to some extent, there is no denying that the ongoing lack of authenticity creates a distance between the viewer and the story. After all, the first and foremost intention should be to allow the audience to connect with the characters, feel for them, and laugh, cry, or fall in love with them in a way.

After the rom-com comeback, French Lover clearly got the memo, because the movie succeeds in keeping the majority real without ever losing sight of the foundation of what makes a movie a rom-com. Abel and Marion come from two completely different worlds. He is a superstar, even the most admired man in Paris. She is a divorcee and feels as though she is a failure on every level. It seems unlikely that these two would ever cross paths, but the heartwarming rom-com somehow manages to keep their first interaction realistic. Some moments are still over-the-top and leave you rolling your eyes, but there are only a few in between, adding the required cheesiness to the love story. French Lover provides a refreshing balance between realistic and unrealistic moments, while still ensuring that the essence of a rom-com is never lost.

‘French Lover’ Is a Refreshing Take on Rom-Coms

The first images that come to mind when thinking of a rom-com are usually of an awkward meet cute, a first kiss in the rain, and a grand declaration of love (yes, looking at you, Anna De La Vega). My Oxford Year and Co. really have all of these in some variety, but French Lover added their own twist to these iconic moments. Just like the best rom-com movies of all time, the one starring Omar Sy and Sara Giraudeau is obviously all about comedy and love, but it avoids the exaggerated depiction of steamy scenes and revealing moments. Instead, French Lover is predominantly fun and flirtatious, which makes it an easy and heartwarming watch. The stakes are low, but the story is still touching enough to the point where the desire to see the two main characters succeed in their daily and romantic endeavors is ever-present.

French Lover is a reminder that the rom-com tropes don’t always have to be flashy and over-the-top. Sometimes it is also refreshing to look behind the facade of grand gestures and simply enjoy a deep connection between two characters that help each other change and improve their lives and views. The Netflix rom-com succeeds in taking the viewers’ minds off of everyday burdens, and invites them in to switch off, warm their hearts, admire a growing romance, and laugh about silly jokes. French Lover is easily one of the best feel-good movies in ages, so here is to hoping that others will follow in similar footsteps. French Lover is available to stream on Netflix.