The Right One is an example of how little romantic comedies have to switch up the formula to still be entertaining. Sara (Cleopatra Coleman) is a novelist dealing with writer’s block. One day, she meets Godfrey (Nick Thune), who seems to keep changing personas. Sara thinks she has found a source of inspiration. But is it something more?
The plot is your basic rom-com fluff. One person begins to use another for their own purposes. Before long, an attachment is formed. The one getting used learns the truth and leaves, and the first person realizes they may have developed deeper feelings. This genre has worked with some variation of this plot for decades since it works so well when done right.
The Right One handles its standard set up a little differently. Of course, there are the light hearted moments. The comedy works well thanks to the chemistry between the two leads. There are also the moments of light relationship development. Both Sara and Godfrey have to change over the course of the movie to find love, after all.
The film manages to be more heartfelt than similar ones. This is due to the willingness of writer-director Ken Mok to explore darker themes. Specifically, The Right One deals with grief more than most rom coms. It is never played for laughs and will elicit a genuine reaction from anyone who watches.
While an argument can be made it is manipulative, it ends up working thanks to the performance of Thune. As Godfrey, Thune has to (literally) wear different hats. He is more than a love interest. He is tasked to show off different parts of his personality. Godfrey also has a level of depth not normally found in the genre.
This is a testament to Thune’s ability as The Right One lacks in fleshing out the character. When it comes to the more serious moments, the story tends to rush through them. The cast are strong enough to make the film enjoyable, but it is noticeable.
The Right One releases on Digital and On Demand on February 5 and on Blu-Ray and DVD February 9
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