*Taps Mic* People of the world, rom-coms are back; romance is alive! As someone who prefers darker content (black mirror is Back!!) and used to dislike Aladdin because of the romance in the songs (I’m a lover boy now #growth) – I have a high bar for romantic content. I don’t know about everyone reading, but romance movies and tv shows, specifically Romantic comedies, have yet to elicit the same emotions the film of the late 90s and early 2000s could. Pretty Woman, Love and Basketball, The Best Man, the Bodyguard, and anything with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant pre-2010. Those movies made you feeeeeeel.
After a somewhat uninspiring decade-plus of romantic offerings – blaming bro-casts, MAGA, Buhari, and Brexit – romance is making a comeback. Thanks to Bell Hooks, feelings dey reign now, and it’s fitting that we have a movie to commemorate the times. S/o to the black diaspora in the UK. Introducing debut director, “Raine Allen-Miller”’s Rye Lane. The title of the Boston Globe review of the movie put it perfectly, “Rye Lane is for Lovers”. Rye Lane is a delightful movie that takes place mostly in one day. We follow down on his luck Dom, played by the king of the upturned wry smile David Johnson, and the spirited Yas, played by the exuberantly excellent Vivian Oparah, after their chance meeting at an art show (specifics of where at the art show I’ll leave for you to discover). Yas takes an initial interest in Dom, a feeling that is initially borne out of pity but quickly develops into romantic feelings through sharing memories and experiences, both present and of the past.
A non-exhaustive list of things Dom and Yas get up to in the space of a few hours: Crashing Dom’s meeting with his ex, eating too spicy (for Dom) tacos, nighttime rides on Yas’ ex’s mum’s moped, breaking into Yas’ ex place to get her record back, “bringing down the roof” (am I showing my age with that reference) at a Karaoke bar, people-watching at a park… The two characters work. Dom is a soft-spoken accountant with a deep heart that is only just beginning to get over his painful breakup (the circumstances around this are a bit mad, tbh).
The art show was his first foray outside his parent’s house (besides for work and Greggs sausage rolls) since he shut himself in post-breakup, coincidentally it was the same day he was due to meet up with his ex to “clear the air”. He is dying to tell anyone about his heartbreak – “Did you wake up every day and lie there hoping to muster the energy to breathe”. A direct quote referring to his time spent wallowing post-breakup – and luckily for him, he meets a receptive Yas. Yas, Yas, Yas. *Focusing back*. A vibrant and hilarious character who randomly compliments strangers on their outfits. An aspiring costume designer, moonlighting as a buyer to “pay my rent and afford cute cocktails”. She recently exited a relationship but appeared to be “handling it” much better. She speaks of empowerment and is currently in squash concentration (apparently, her ex was trying to “dilute her squash)”. Please, gen-z, explain to me what this means.
I loved watching the two actors play off each other. The on-screen chemistry between David and Vivian was electric, not in a tearing-off-each-others-clothes way, moreso in the – yeah, these people are meant for each other – way. Best friend lovers and all that. Vivian brought a crackling electricity to the movie; you couldn’t take your eyes off her. Her wit, humour, and infectious smile stole every scene she was in. David grounded the movie and did a marvellous job serving as the film’s emotional fulcrum. The movie’s best parts were when Dom and Yas were walking and talking. Speaking to how well this movie was cast and written.
Rye Lane is a joyful combination of vibrant, quirky, and intimate. The script, acting, camera work, and directing all lean in this direction. I loved the flashback sequences where Yas or Dom was immersed in the other’s reality (or telling of reality). Highlighting the cinematography a bit; the camera work immerses us in the movie. Whether as a bystander, like the wider shots showcased both of them or as one of the pair, looking through Dom or Yas’ POV at the other, it felt Wes Anderson / Spike Lee-esque with many close-ups of characters’ faces, vibrant colours, the floor and rolling shots. It wouldn’t be a romantic movie without conflict, and I loved how it handled that. I won’t go into details because I feel like I’ve already spoiled a lot of the movie. But…the thoughtful way that the movie portrayed the characters dealing with the fallout, alone, and how “fate”, in the form of yet another art gallery show, brought them back together. Leading to another amazing, well-shot, and acted sequence. Wave to boat folks!
Rye Lane masterfully explored love and romance’s complexity and simplicity in a way that didn’t feel too contrived. We are exposed to how feelings can evoke selfishness, and how love, in its rejection, can make us feel insecure. How hard it can be to be vulnerable, truly vulnerable. How we can be hurt and pull ourselves back together with time and recognition. About forgiveness and moving on. About timing. How the unknown (otherwise known as vibes) can make the actualization of romance a bit easier, unencumbered by expectation. Raine Allen-Miller made an excellent romance movie, not just a great rom-com.
Romantic comedies really should be easy to make. The formula is there – a great script, compelling leads with chemistry, a great setting, intimate filmmaking with the cinematography and score, conflict, and reconciliation: Ok that may be a bit difficult. I’m glad that Rye Lane is joining the ranks of some greats and that this black British romantic comedy has put its stamp on the genre. It has been a while since a movie had me grinning foolishly at the tv.
I’ll send you off with a quote from Yas, delivered as she smiled and twirled, Dom at her side, walking together, nowhere in particular, moments after the first meeting. An articulation of the journey the characters and us, the viewers, were about to begin.
“Onwards they stroll, each step bringing them closer to their mystery destination. “
Love is too sweet.
