Parents' Guide to Missed Connections

This film struggles to develop and portray any genuine chemistry between its two leads. Unfortunately, most of the situations in Missed Connections don't come across as romantic or funny, even if it does target a younger adult audience. While the main characters are in their mid-20s, Mae acts like a teenager, seems incredibly naive, and comes across as inappropriate or pushy while she pursues Norman, someone who clearly isn't interested in her. And it's never clear why Mae likes Norman or why Norman likes Julia beyond pure physical attraction. They each see their respective desire, and immediately "are in love." But perhaps the most egregious element of the film is how oblivious Mae is to how her actions of sabotage (social media bullying, online trolling, slut shaming, kissing someone without consent) are irresponsible and offensive and how the movie flirts with rewarding her actions, showing little to no sympathy for the victim.

While some of this might be cultural, the lesson remains: women can be easily shamed and punished for partying, drinking, and being friends with too many men. And while the film eventually finds a decent conclusion, getting there's not much fun. Surely, this movie could have been about Julie and her experience trying to protect her new boyfriend from a crazy stalker. Julie is, coincidentally, the only character who actually seems like a mid-20s-year-old and not a teen. Instead, the entire focus is on Mae, and it's difficult to root for or care about her, even if she learns her lesson in the end.