Review: Isn’t It Romantic takes some solid shots at the rom com

Aussie star Rebel Wilson’s first solo Hollywood lead has gone straight to Netflix here — but don’t let that put you off, writes Leigh Paatsch. Her trademark self-depreciating sarcasm is on point.

Marking Rebel Wilson’s solo starring debut in a Hollywood movie, Isn’t It Romantic has been a solid success at the US box office, grossing over $50 million so far.

Here in Australia, the movie has gone straight to Netflix, but do not that let put you off.

Particularly if you are in the market for a romantic comedy that sends up all other romantic comedies with some good-natured and relevant shots at the genre.

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It is by no means a great movie, but it does get some good jabs in here and there, largely due to Wilson’s trademark self-deprecating sarcasm.

The film takes some good shots at the rom com genre. Rebel Wilson, left, and Liam Hemsworth star. Picture: Michael Parmelee/Warner Bros/AP

Good casting helps in Isn’t It Romantic. Priyanka Chopra, left, and Rebel Wilson. Picture: Warner Bros Pictures/AP

Wilson can be hit or miss most of the time, but she is in strong form here thanks to her on-point casting.

She plays Natalie, a young Australian woman living and working in New York City who has had enough of the cliches and corny rules of rom-com movies.

As if by magic, Natalie suddenly finds herself living inside a rom-com world where all of those cliches and rules (the Mr Right who is really Mr Wrong, the obligatory shopping montage sequence, the gay BFF, and the should-be lover who has been friend-zoned) are considered normal, everyday stuff.

The manner in which Natalie transitions into this alternate reality is itself borrowed from a number of romantic comedies.

Wilson is suddenly living in a rom com world. Picture: Warner Bros Pictures via AP

Priyanka Chopra plays a famous supermodel in the film. Picture: Michael Parmelee/Warner Bros/AP

In what accounts for a deliberate swipe at Amy Schumer’s I Feel Pretty (and a coincidental swipe at the recent What Men Want), Natalie’s change of perspective is achieved by sustaining a severe blow to the cranium.

As a movie that neither outstays its welcome (the running time barely scrapes 80 minutes) nor overcooks its premise, Isn’t It Romantic gets its job done with a minimum of fuss.

It does help that Wilson has a solid cast of supporting players to bounce off, snipe at and snuggle up to (tasks that are respectively accorded to Liam Hemsworth as a suave tycoon, Priyanka Chopra as a famous supermodel, and Adam Devine as Natalie’s best friend at work).

Isn’t It Romantic (M)

Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson (A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas)

Starring: Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam Devine, Priyanka Chopra.

Rating: **1/2

Available only on Netflix

When living happily ever after is no life at all