Even by romantic comedy standards, Love Accidentally keeps things simple. Alexa (Brenda Song) and Jason (Aaron O’Connell) are two co-workers vying for the same position. Coincidentally, they both get broken up with by their significant others on the same day. What could happen when Brenda mistakenly texts Jason a broken heart text?
Everyone watching knows exactly where this is headed, which is theoretically part of the fun. Unfortunately, Love Accidentally never finds its mojo. The plot is more caught up in setting up the far-fetched mishap that brings Alexa and Jason together than creating chemistry or comedy. This is the kiss of death for any rom-com. It is the characters that make audiences accept the ridiculous situations that bring the leads together. The writing does not allow for Alexa and Jason to be any more than caricatures. They are at each other’s throats at work, yet managed to quickly fall in love through their speech-to-text conversations.
Unlikely romances are the foundation of this genre, and the films that stand out are the ones that give people watching something to latch on to. Love Accidentally never provides that spark or even gives a reason for wanting to see Alexa and Jason end up together. This means that viewers will be more focused on the improbability of the whole situation instead of the idea of love conquering all.
The “wrong number” premise is an old one, and the suspension of disbelief required is more than usual, but all the tools are here for a serviceable rom-com. Even the most generic ones are good comfort food. Regrettably, Love Accidentally sticks to the recipe without considering how to use the ingredients.
Love Accidentally premieres on Freevee July 15
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