If you enjoy my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com. I’m generally not the biggest fan of romantic comedies, especially when that's all a movie seems to be. The Lovebirds combines this genre with a crime-mystery plot, so I was surprisingly interested in watching this Netflix (formerly Paramount) film. I don't have strong feelings about Kumail Nanjiani as an actor; I’ve only seen The Big Sick, which I appreciate but don't love like many others do. I do enjoy his stand-up routines, though. And it was my first time seeing Issa Rae on screen, so I wasn’t sure what to think of them. They ended up being the best part of this movie, which might seem obvious to some. I genuinely didn't expect how well Kumail and Issa would work together. They have fantastic chemistry that carries the story forward, particularly when the entertainment value dips because of the predictable and uninspired plot. Their comedic timing is really good, but the writing only allows for a few truly funny moments. Issa delivers the stronger performance of the two; she manages to balance her comedy and drama well, something I didn’t notice as much with Kumail. I'm being honest when I say that even those great lead performances and occasional laughs aren't enough to hold my attention. The screenplay is full of familiar rom-com plot points, unbelievable character choices, and some truly awkward dialogue. This last problem gets worse as the movie goes on. There’s a specific type of scene that repeats throughout the film in an irritating way—those tiresome conversations where they talk over each other for comedic effect, acting silly, and it just doesn't land with me. The plot itself is unintentionally funny, and not in a good way. Michael Showalter does a fine job setting a lighthearted tone, making it one of those movies you’re not supposed to take seriously. That's perfectly acceptable, but there has to be some limit to how much the audience needs to simply accept things without question. I approached the film with that mindset, but certain character decisions still felt confusing. There isn’t much more I can say about it. The main characters have clear personalities and motivations, and their relationship develops in a believable way. Technically, there's nothing particularly special or flawed about the production itself. It's as predictable as countless other romantic comedies, except this one features two protagonists of color. I’m not trying to dismiss that aspect at all, but diversity doesn't automatically make a movie "good," despite what some people suggest. Honestly, it contributes very little to making the film better or worse unless the story actually explores themes related to diversity. The Lovebirds could have featured any combination of characters—straight or gay, white or POC—and it would still have the same problems with the writing and jokes. Overall, The Lovebirds benefits from wonderful performances by Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae, with Issa shining brightest. Their chemistry helps them overcome the film's shortcomings and do their best to work around a weak script. Despite some laughs, Michael Showalter’s movie doesn't manage to stand out from other romantic comedies. Diversity alone doesn’t transform a movie into a good one, especially when the story is filled with tired plot points, clichés, and silly character decisions. Some of the dialogue is genuinely cringe-worthy, even eliciting eye rolls at times. However, I have to admit that I might not be the best person to recommend this film or discourage it. The humor didn't resonate with me, but someone else could find it very funny. So, if you’re into romantic comedies, I won’t stop you from giving this a try. Rating: C

Source on TMDB