The Broken Hearts Gallery Synopsis: Lucy is a young gallery assistant who collects mementos from her relationships. She discovers that she must let go of her past to move forward, and comes up with a lovely, artistic way to help herself and others who have suffered heartbreak.
There is a reason why romantic comedies have endured over the years, despite their many detractors. When they’re done right, they’re incredibly warm and funny, not to mention emotionally honest in an age when it seems like there’s so much cynicism and darkness in the world. I will admit that, for me, it’s difficult to find a modern rom-com that hits all the right beats and really nails what a romantic comedy should be. But, oh boy, The Broken Hearts Gallery is one of those movies.
When gallery assistant Lucy (Geraldine Viswanathan) is dumped by her recent boyfriend, she’s suddenly inspired to create a gallery for the broken-hearted, featuring the mementos from past relationships they’ve held onto. She persuades Nick (Dacre Montgomery) to let her use the space he is renovating for his dream hotel for her exhibit, and the two work side by side to achieve their goals.
A big part of what makes The Broken Hearts Gallery so successful is Geraldine Viswanathan’s Lucy. She is an instantly lovable rom-com heroine. She is messy, emotional, and earnest in a way that never threatened to become a caricature. Her sensitivity isn’t treated as a flaw to be corrected but as a strength, and Lucy’s vulnerability makes her very easy to root for. Viswanathan’s performance is warm and genuine, and I think she has fabulous comedic timing.
As Nick, Dacre Montgomery provides the ideal romantic counterbalance. Nick is patient and genuinely nice, but he also challenges Lucy’s beliefs about love and letting go. Montgomery is a fantastic leading man, and I sincerely hope he finds himself in more of these kinds of movies. He has the charm and the talent.
The chemistry between Montgomery and Viswanathan is effortless, and their romance builds gradually through banter, shared glances, and quiet moments, rather than relying solely on grand gestures – though, of course, we do get one of those. Their relationship feels believable, which makes the romantic payoff all the more satisfying.
I have to give a shoutout to the supporting players as well. As Lucy’s best friends, Nadine and Amanda, Phillipa Soo and Molly Gordon elevate the movie’s humor. Nathan Dales has very few lines as Amanda’s quiet boyfriend, Jeff, but when he finally does speak, it’s one of the movie’s comedic highlights. Every side character feels purposeful, and each adds to the romantic journey between Lucy and Nick.
One of my favorite moments of the movie is the breakaways to the various interviews with the broken-hearted, explaining what item from a past relationship they’re contributing to the exhibit. It had a very When Harry Met Sally feel to it, and gave more weight to the movie’s overall themes of heartbreak and starting over.
Ultimately, The Broken Hearts Gallery is a rom-com that understands exactly what it is and embraces it without shame. The jokes land consistently, often in small, character-driven moments, and the romance is genuine, without being overly sentimental. This was the first romantic comedy I’ve watched in a long time that really drew me in and had me smiling from ear to ear from beginning to end. Definitely a must-watch for any lover of the genre.
Watched: 01/15/2026
Notable Song: everything i wanted by Billie Eilish
