Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Indie romantic comedy drama has language, drinking, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
She Is Love
What's the Story?
In SHE IS LOVE, a divorced couple are unexpectedly reunited when Patricia (Haley Bennett) unknowingly arrives at a hotel run by her ex Idris (Sam Riley) and his new girlfriend, Louise (Marisa Abela). As the former couple reconnect, emotions are rekindled and ghosts are dragged up from their past.
Is It Any Good?
Like much of writer-director Jamie Adams' work, this romantic comedy drama was developed with an improvisational approach to character and dialogue, which lends it an experimental feel. Unfortunately this also adds to a sense of She Is Love losing its way at times. Music is also used clumsily to create playfulness and tension in moments where it isn't quite captured by the characters. But the handheld filming works well as the film progresses, mirroring the characters' descent into drunkenness and psychological haze.
There is a chemistry between Bennett and Riley that keeps things entertaining, too. Scenes where they dress as ghosts, smearing each other in white makeup add an artistic flair to the claustrophobic shots, which vibrate with a sense of impending chaos as the night unfolds. There is a feeling of witnessing something real between two people during the short 82-minute runtime, but very little in terms of depth, understanding, or message as the credits roll.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between Patricia and Idris in She Is Love. What do we learn about them as a couple and as individuals during the movie?
The film shows a divorced couple reconnecting, when one has a new partner. How did Idris behave differently with his ex-wife and new girlfriend? Did the movie approach the ethics of the situation in any way?
Discuss the strong language used. What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain kind of language expected in a movie like this?
How were drinking and smoking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Why does that matter?
The film was developed using improvisation for some aspects of character and dialogue. Could you see it in the performances? What do you think are the pros and cons of working in that way?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 3, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : February 3, 2023
- Cast : Haley Bennett , Sam Riley , Marisa Abela
- Director : Jamie Adams
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Brainstorm Media
- Genre : Romance
- Run time : 82 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 30, 2023
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