LOVE AGAIN

Love Again is an enjoyable romantic comedy that, with the talents of Sam Heughan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Céline Dion and Dion’s extensive catalog of romantic power ballads, makes for a safe but fun night out at the movies.

Romantic comedies have a well proven formula, that no matter how many times you’ve seen the same story, you can’t help but continue to be swept up by the grand romantic moments of the genre. And that is exactly what Love Again is betting on, executing the genre’s formula very well with two likeable stars to carry the film. But the film’s secret weapon is music legend Céline Dion, whose greatness not only elevates the romantic moments and captures the emotions of the story, but gives an incredibly fun performance that consistently steals the show.

Rob and Mira are two individuals who have given up on love. Rob because his finacée called off their engagement the week before their wedding, and Mira who is still heartbroken after the death of her boyfriend two years ago. Trying to mend her heart, Mira begins texting her boyfriend’s old number, detailing her heartbreak and the struggle she is facing, which happens to be Rob’s new work number. Reading these texts, Rob begins to develop feelings for the person at the other end of the texts, and with the encouragement of music legend Céline Dion, who he is writing an article on for work, searches out this mysterious person to see if he is ready for a second chance at love.

Love Again knows exactly what its audience wants to see in this film, and it delivers exactly that. Remaking the 2016 German film which was in turn based upon a novel, the film is full of romantic moments and good laughs. From a dreamlike meet cute, Rob’s supportive and hilarious co-workers trying to help him find his happy ending, Céline Dion playing cupid, and the dramatic and grand romantic ending that audiences expect for the genre, the film has everything you could want from a romantic comedy. It never reinvents the genre, but it is a comforting film from start to finish that never fails to entertain as the audience watches two lovable characters who have given up on love find a second chance at love.

As Rob and Mira, Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas make for an endearing screen couple and easily create the romance of the story that will have audiences rooting for their characters to end up together. After watching Heughan for years on Outlander, it was fun watching dipping his toes once again into the comedy genre after 2016’s The Spy Who Dumped Me. Heughan has the perfect charm to be a leading man in a romantic comedy, delivering many cute moments that will have audiences chuckling, and as Rob he finds the emotional vulnerability of this young man recovering from his past failed relationship and scared to put himself out there. Chopra Jonas as Mira is good, who does a wonderful job finding the heartbreak her character is grappling with. As a couple, Heughan and Chopra Jonas have an instant, playful connection that over the course of the film becomes a true romantic connection that brings this film to life. And while there is not much time for the supporting cast, Russell Tovey, Steve Oram and Nick Jonas have some standout moments.

Though, the film’s biggest asset is Céline Dion. One of the world’s most renowned artists, Dion has made a career out of singing power ballads about love that the entire world knows, loves, and can’t help but sing along to (including the cast in the film’s credits). These songs make up the majority of the film’s soundtrack, with her most iconic hits being woven into the narrative of the film. Each song selection works perfectly for the story that is unfolding, with “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” creating an epic end for the film that helps sweep the audience up in the romance of the story. In addition to her classics, Dion also debuted five new songs for the film, and while they are not as great as her classics, they are welcomed additions to her extensive song book.

But beyond her music, Dion makes her feature film debut as an actress playing a fictionalized version of herself. Her performance plays on the personna of Céline Dion, bringing to life this larger than life version of herself. The result is comedy gold as Dion creates some of the funniest moments of the film, having a natural screen presence while acting as a spiritual mentor to both Rob and Mira. The moments in which she touches upon her marriage to René Angélil are tender and moving, showing her dramatic range and helping build the sentiment of the story of opening yourself up to whatever love puts in your path. Especially given that Dion shot her scenes without her co stars on a soundstage in Canada due to the pandemic, with Heughan and Chopra Jonas were in the United Kingdom for the entire film, as apart from some camera angles, you would otherwise never know they were there together in person as Dion is a natural on screen with them. If there is one takeaway from this film, it is that Dion needs to be in movies more often.

Leave it to the singular talent that is Céline Dion to make the film, but between her great performance and brilliant use of her music, this is a romantic comedy that fans of the genre will deeply enjoy. While the story does not redefine the genre, Love Again knows what audiences want and serves exactly that to them with the great pairing of Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas with the perfect amount of Céline Dion to make this one heartfelt, hilarious and enjoyable romantic comedy.