Director: Vanessa Caswill
Starring: Haley Lu Richardson, Ben Hardy
Running Time: 91 minutes
Synopsis: In New York City, Hadley (Haley Lu Richardson) and Oliver (Ben Hardy) meet at the airport while waiting for the same flight to London. Hadley is traveling to attend her father's second wedding, and still resents his role in her parents' divorce. Oliver is a Yale student of statistics returning to visit family, and reveals that his mother has battled cancer. They bond on-board the flight, but are separated upon landing. Hadley attends the wedding although her thoughts are with Oliver, but fate may yet intervene to allow the would-be lovers to reunite.
What Works Well: The adaptation of the Jennifer E. Smith book benefits from good chemistry between Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy, who are both provided with rounded characters worth knowing. Cute and witty without being cloying, the script leans more towards drama and does not shy away from weighty topics like the impact of divorce, serious family illness, and the resentment of grown children towards their parents. But the mood remains light thanks to playful narration and an undercurrent of statistics-based humour, augmented by London locations that provide a picturesque backdrop without succumbing to touristy fluff.
What Does Not Work As Well: While this is a well-crafted romance, it does not escape familiarity and predictability. The soundtrack alternates between decent cuts and some quite mopey material.
Key Quote:
Hadley (responding to Oliver offering a phone charger at the airport): Sorry, I don't share electronics until the third date.
Oliver: OK, no, I suppose it is quite intimate.
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