Playing It Cool Synopsis: A cynical screenwriter who has never been in love is tasked with writing a romantic comedy. Inspiration comes in the form of the perfect woman who is already in a committed relationship.
Playing it Cool is a rom-com designed to subvert the rom-com genre but ultimately comes across as gimmicky and a bit blah. The cast is pretty great, with Topher Grace a bright spot and Aubrey Plaza playing Aubrey Plaza, aka April Ludgate. Her character throwing bowling balls at Chris Evans is a highlight.
Chris Evans’s character, who we only know as “me,” is likable, if a bit self-absorbed. He projects himself in every romantic story his grandpa and circle of friends tell him.
Michelle Monaghan is a witty ‘cool’ girl who doesn’t seem to have much of an issue cheating on her bland boyfriend while sticking with him because he’s ‘comfortable.’ They’re not super great people, but they at least seem to be aware of it.
“I’m willing to regret you for the rest of my life.” Aw.
Some of the characters were severely underwritten, and you wonder why they were in the movie, flitting in and out of scenes with no real purpose and then disappearing from the film altogether.
The concept was an interesting one, but the laughs were lacking. Playing It Cool grabs almost every rom-com trope by the balls. It runs with them (the group of friends discussing men vs. women, the awkward high five meant to be a wave, the typical meet-cute, the breaking up of a wedding, etc.), but unfortunately, it’s lacking the charm that makes good rom-coms so enjoyable.
Watched: 11/20/2018
Notable Song: A Night Like This by Caro Emerald
