The Lovebirds

Starring the comedic chemistry of Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, initially slated to premiere at SXSW, then hit theaters April 3^rd, but of course, COVID-19 made other plans for this romantic adventure; allowing Paramount to send it to Netflix early. And really, as much as I enjoyed the movie, I’m beginning to feel like comedies, rom/coms and smaller indie films perhaps should always go straight to streaming and only have big blockbusters, franchises, some horror and epic type flicks open in the theaters. That is once we’re back to movie-going. After all, I’ve never understood why we pay the same amount in the theater to see something like this, as we do for instance, a James Bond big action movie – it’s just never made sense!?!

If you’ve seen and liked 2010’s Date Night (starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell) or the more recent Game Night (starring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams), or even to some extent Nanjiani’s out-of-control flick from last summer Stuber, then you should get a kick out of The Lovebirds. 

Jibran (Nanjiani) and Leilani (Rae) hooked up 4 years ago and surprisingly became an actual couple, moving in with each other but still not ready to make the commitment to marriage.  It’s obvious a certain amount of bickering and observational nitpicking is a usual part of their daily routine, but things get escalated in the car on their way to a friend’s dinner party. So much so things are said that lead to the realization that their relationship has run its course – just as they run into a bicyclist who jumps up from the accident and speeds away.  An undercover cop is in hot pursuit and commandeers Jibran and Leilani’s vehicle with them inside.

The outcome of the high-speed chase ends far from the apprehension of a suspect, sending the couple on an adventure to outrun the police and play detective on a 24-hour fact-finding romp around New Orleans.

Directed by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) with a script from Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gall we get a very light comedy, with an even lighter plot, but it works!  Mostly due to the rat-a-tat wordplay and similar improvisational styles of Rae and Nanjiani. The couple’s racially motivated fear of the cops; the need to change their appearance, resulting in unbecoming attire; along with the fact that we have two people relying on each other for survival, while navigating not being a couple, puts me in mind of a more comedic version of Queen & Slim.

On the whole, as I said, I enjoyed the entire romp, the beats and pacing are good and the Eyes Wide Shut party scene is a perfect crescendo.

T&T @largeassmovieblogs rating 3.5 outta 5