'Regretting You' Movie Review: A Melodramatic, Cliché-Ridden, Yet Watchable Adaptation
Colleen Hoover's legions of fans have eagerly awaited the adaptation of her 2019 novel, Regretting You, and the film has finally arrived, directed by Josh Boone. However, initial critical reception has been lukewarm, with many questioning if the "CoHo boomlet" can last. Despite its flaws, Regretting You manages to be a watchable, if not particularly original, addition to the romance drama genre.
The film follows Morgan Grant (Allison Williams) and her teenage daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace) as their lives are upended by tragedy and the revelation of a long-standing affair between Morgan's husband, Chris (Scott Eastwood), and her younger sister, Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald). This sets the stage for a multigenerational love story filled with grief, resentment, and the potential for new beginnings. Dave Franco stars as Jonah, Morgan's late husband's best friend.
One of the main criticisms of Regretting You is its reliance on genre clichés. The dialogue is often stilted, and the plot developments can feel contrived. As Richard Lawson from Hollywood Reporter notes, the film suffers from "inescapable unoriginality, its plodding, uninventive, unthoughtful attempts at swoon and heartbreak". The film struggles to balance its appeal to both teenage and adult audiences.
Despite the heavy subject matter, some critics found the film's exploration of grief to be superficial. Instead of delving into the characters' emotional complexities, the movie often glosses over their pain, rushing towards romantic resolutions. As one critic noted, it sometimes feels as though Chris and Jenny's deaths come as a relief to Morgan and Jonah, freeing them to pursue their "true" soulmates.
However, Regretting You isn't without its merits. Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames, who play Clara and her love interest Miller, have been praised for their on-screen chemistry. Their portrayal of young love provides a welcome contrast to the more complicated adult relationships. Josh Boone's direction, known for teen weepies like The Fault in Our Stars, occasionally adds a touch of self-awareness to the melodrama.
Allison Williams also delivers a commendable performance as Morgan, showcasing her ability to handle both the dramatic and comedic aspects of the role. Dave Franco, as Jonah, brings a palpable yearning to his character, making his connection with Morgan believable.
Ultimately, Regretting You is a mixed bag. It's a melodramatic and cliché-ridden adaptation that may not appeal to those seeking nuanced storytelling. However, fans of Colleen Hoover's novels and those who enjoy a good old-fashioned romance may find it watchable. As Kate Erbland from IndieWire puts it, the film will work for audiences who "can vibe with its melodramatic wackiness". The film is projected to gross between $8 million and $11 million in its opening weekend; whether that is enough to make the adaptation a success remains to be seen.
