Movie Review: Love, Guaranteed
Love, Guaranteed comes from Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, the screenwriting duo behind Falling Inn Love, who seem to have a knack for overblown romantic comedy story lines. Their latest movie finds a well-meaning lawyer trying to save her small firm from going under by taking on a frivolous lawsuit and charming new client. While the basic premise is plausible, going on almost 1,000 dates to prove that love is not guaranteed through an online dating application is an overreach.
It’s refreshing to see She’s All That’s Rachael Leigh Cook starring in Love, Guaranteed, who had a part in the follow-up He’s All That. Her She’s All That’s co-star Freddie Prinze Jr. recently found his way into sweet romcom Christmas with You, so it seems that opportunities are opening up in the age of streaming with audiences all too pleased to welcome familiar faces. However, it’s the easy-going Damon Wayans Jr. who plays opposite Cook, having recently worked his magic with a peppy supporting role in Long Weekend. A delightful ensemble, it’s Heather Graham who rounds off the troupe as Love, Guaranteed online dating bigwig, Tamara Taylor.
It’s surprising to see Rachael Leigh Cook back behind the wheel but it’s even more surprising to see the film’s directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Having started with dark superhero thrillers Daredevil and Ghost Rider, Johnson’s involvement is a bit puzzling but makes more sense after you realise he helmed When in Rome. Although, Love, Guaranteed and Love in the Villa come across as a serious handbrake turn after Finding Steve McQueen.
Love, Guaranteed’s premise is a lot to take onboard. Perhaps the screenwriters were simply trying to make the story more cinematic by raising the stakes to breaking point or making it so over-the-top that everything that follows seems perfectly normal. Whatever the ploy, the movie relies on the charm of its cast and a fun sense of humour to get by, forging ahead with a comfortably numb and predictable romance.
“Hey, you. I didn’t know you had a… car. Spiffy!”
The speed dating concept is promising with its array of unsuitable partners and the idea of a down-on-her-luck lawyer taking on a corporate has its appeal. However, as sweet and funny as it can be, Love, Guaranteed is a heavy-handed misfire that could’ve used more script development, thoughtful direction and a stringent edit. Tiffany’s catchy one hit wonder, ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ stuck in the tape deck of a beat up Volkswagen is a nostalgic theme. Unfortunately, the vehicle unwittingly becomes emblematic of Love, Guaranteed, struggling to get a handle on a dreamy old school romance comedy with a few retro charms and only just passing its roadworthy test.
The lightweight and breezy movie isn’t aiming for the lofty romcom ideals of Nora Ephron but could’ve been so much better if its story had more grounding. As it stands, Love, Guaranteed is a gamble, which while gently entertaining and even spunky starts and finishes with more dumb than fun. Ultimately, the frivolous lawsuit serves as the glue, which starts to become unstuck in the third act, resulting in a silly happy ending resolution and an equally frivolous movie.
The bottom line: Daft