★ 5 / 10
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews...
Manuel São Bento
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/somebody-i-used-to-know-review "Somebody I Used to Know presents a cast packed with…
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/somebody-i-used-to-know-review
"Somebody I Used to Know presents a cast packed with chemistry and holds interesting themes, but the formulaic screenplay lacks depth and greater care regarding character treatment. Dave Franco and Alison Brie manage to convey meaningful messages about the dilemmas that arise when mixing individual ambitions with love life, but at the cost of conflicts and drama forcibly provoked through awful human actions without any kind of heavy consequences. Secondary storylines linked to sensitive topics are approached in an exploitative, even childish manner. A movie of phases that falls short of its potential."
Rating: C
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★ 4 / 10
Was this supposed to be a rom com
Nathan
Was this supposed to be a rom com, because I felt that there was a serious lack of comedy in Somebody I Used to Know. I do not remember laughing at a single…
Was this supposed to be a rom com, because I felt that there was a serious lack of comedy in Somebody I Used to Know. I do not remember laughing at a single joke that the writers attempted to deliver. The dialogue is very corny and feels forced and unnatural. The story takes unimaginable leaps to progress the plot; as a fellow engaged man, the decisions he makes are laughable. I mean who stalks your ex and spends all night with out to the town days before your wedding, it just made no sense. Overall, this movie just wasn't fun, and that is what I want in a film of this nature. If I ever have to listen to "I'm So Punk Rock" again, I am never watching another movie.
Score: 36%
Verdict: Poor
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★ 5 / 10
Somebody I Used to Know Thought My Best Friend's Wedding Was Better the First Time
Stream2BigScreen_Movie_Reviews
Hey, Streamers! It's mid-February, and it seems you either watch romantic comedies or you're anticipating the Big Game. For those who aren't into the latter…
Hey, Streamers! It's mid-February, and it seems you either watch romantic comedies or you're anticipating the Big Game. For those who aren't into the latter, here's some more counterprogramming courtesy of Prime Video and the minds of Dave Franco and Alison Brie, Somebody I Used to Know. It's a "romantic" comedy involving wedding shenanigans, which we all love. Am I right??? Here's whether you should know this somebody.
Dave Franco directs the screenplay he wrote with his wife and the movie's star, Alison Brie. Somebody I Used to Know takes place over a few days in Leavenworth, Washington when Ally (Brie) returns to her mother's home after her reality television show was canceled. While in town on day one, Ally predictably runs into her old flame, Sean (Jay Ellis), after ten years; and they seem to pick up right where they left off. Sean, of course, is hiding the big news of his impending wedding, which leads Ally to go full-on Julianne Potter (My Best Friend's Wedding reference). Wedding sabotage hijinks ensue.
This storyline is so tiresome. How many times do we have to see a woman, usually, attempt to sabotage her ex's wedding? Why would anyone think that's going to turn out good for you in the end? Why would you even want someone who was easily manipulated by you? Is that satisfying? I have so many questions for this played-out genre.
Now, Somebody I Used to Know steps right into all of the problems with this genre of romantic comedy. It is predictable and unoriginal. In fact, it borrows so heavily from My Best Friend's Wedding that I am now wondering if that was Franco and Brie's objective. It is a shame that this movie feels so derivative because Alison Brie is generally a likeable screen presence. You can easily root for the characters she plays, even someone who is being so manipulative. The one good thing that Franco and Brie have added to this movie is a theme about self-empowerment. The screenplay revisits ideas about making oneself happy, and it is impactful at times. I wish those ideas had been more in the forefront than the wedding sabotage.
There really isn't much else here. There's a nice sing-along to look forward to. Haley Joel Osment and Danny Pudi get some good moments, but Osment, in particular, is so unnecessary. That's all really. Eh. *Shrug*
Ultimately, Somebody I Used to Know is fine but too derivative, unoriginal and predictable to really be interesting. While the movie hints at other meaningful themes, it settles with the cliches of wedding sabotage movies to be its driving force. That's pretty disappointing. Alison Brie is a pleasant on-screen presence and Haley Joel Osment gets some daffy moments. I'd only suggest a handful of popcorn for this if you need something to fill the time while waiting for Rihanna's halftime show.
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Annie & Abed reunited! Cool! Cool Cool Cool!