Title: Finding Emily
MPA Rating: PG-13
Director: Alicia McDonald
Starring: Angourie Rice, Spike Fearn, Minnie Driver
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
What It Is: Sound engineer Owen (Fearn) meets a girl named Emily who absolutely rocks his life. The two hit it off immediately. Following this amazing night Owen asks for her number, except she didn’t give him the right one. Now Owen is determined to find his Emily. At the start of this search he meets Emily Raine (Rice), a young woman whose case study on love and its effect on our brains is perfect for the almost manic Owen. So she decides to help him find his Emily, alongside observing him for her case study.
What We Think: I myself am a former lover of an Emily. She and I were together for a little bit and it went well. Shout out to her and I hope she’s doing great now. I liked this film, very much so. Angourie Rice is superb here and it’s been fascinating watching her career that for us started with a great turn in The Nice Guys. She consistently shows up and brings her A-game. Spike Fearn is equally up to the task here and his Owen is a genuinely nice guy who is sort of aloof to the consequences of his missteps. I had some issues with the treatment he receives from some of the characters as it seemed unfair, but I get it, he’s a dude and therefore in the world of this film he’s a bad guy. He certainly doesn’t help himself with some grade-A stalker behavior. I can’t approve that. But embarrassing this character throughout made a lot of supporting characters wholly unlikable. Nonetheless we know where this baby is going and I didn’t even care. I had the fun I’m supposed to with a romcom.
Our Grade: B+, This is one to watch if you’re a romantic comedy fan like myself. It is both extremely romantic and quite funny as a comedy. Even if I was a little annoyed by the film’s overall messaging it wasn’t enough to deter me from enjoying the film. I know it won’t deter you either. Check this one out.
