The Lovebirds
review by Bobby Blakey
Kumail Nanjiani is on a role as of late with films including The Big Sick, Stuber and his upcoming foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe The Eternals. Now he is teaming up with Insecure and Little star Issa Rae for the film The Lovebirds from Wet Hot American Summer and Big Sick director Michael Showalter. Could this comedy bring the laughs or will it not be worth the fight to prove their innocence?
The Lovebirds follows a couple who experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme – and hilarious - circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.
The trailers were funny and I enjoy both of them so was looking forward to this film but had a different perception to what it was initially. Make no mistake this is a funny comedy, but didn’t expect the relationship issues they were bringing to the set-up of it all. These two have great chemistry all around from the loving new couple to the fighting couple on the brink of the end to the chaotic hijinks of the comedy. Both of them are all in and bring the laughs to deliver a pretty funny flick.
The story is pretty simple and for the most part a by the numbers comedy, but offers up plenty of laugh out loud moments that helps it stand on its own. Sure it’s pretty predictable like most films like this, but the direction of the story that sets up the laughs and more importantly their delivery and reactions make it work. I was concerned that some of the jokes already in the trailer might not work again or get expanded, but I still laughed and thought the film as a lot of fun.
They aren’t breaking any new ground here or anything, but did offer up a film that I enjoyed enough to say it’s a bummer it only got the Netflix release originally due to the pandemic, but now audiences can bring the film home. This
release features both the theatrical and unrated versions of the film as well as bous content including deleted scenes, a gag reel, line-o-rama, featurettes and more.
Grab your copy of The Lovebirds when it hits DVD and digital on June 8th from Paramount Home Entertainment.