By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
What initially comes across as a typical rom-com quickly veers into something different led by two solid performances. “Oh, Hi!” is more of a dark romantic comedy with a unique storyline that amuses and intrigues. Surrounded by big budget blockbusters, this is one of those pleasantly innovative independent films that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac (Logan Lerman) are a young couple taking their first romantic getaway together to the countryside. Everything seems perfect and the young lovers appear to be wonderfully in sync with each other. That is, until Iris learns that Isaac is not looking for a relationship and does not even consider them a couple.
Shocked and upset, Iris leaves Isaac tied up in bed, refusing to let him go. She tries to convince him that what they have is special, not comprehending her actions could lead to criminal charges of kidnapping and more. Desperate to find a solution to the mess she’s created, Iris invites her best friend Max (Geraldine Viswanathan), who brings along her boyfriend Kenny (John Reynolds), to concoct a cockamamie plan that may just be crazy enough to work…or it will blow up in their faces.
Co-written and directed by Sophie Brooks, “Oh, Hi!” is an out-of-the-box take on dating and new relationships that is refreshingly dark yet funny. Exploring ideas that are outside of genre norms is always risky, but Brooks wisely focuses on storytelling and intelligent dialogue writing to keep the film from wandering into the realm of style over substance. She does well generating situational comedy with witty humor, creating startling moments of laughter.
Even though the film takes some strange, unexpected turns, Brooks somehow keeps it relatable, never pushing the bounds too far to make it unrealistic. The character development is a bit underwhelming with very little in the way of backstories, but her decision to exclude that is understandable as it may have slowed the pacing of the film too much. Brooks even hits on the music, incorporating some memorable moments like the hilarious sing-along scene to “Islands in the Stream.”
Of course, whenever a movie relies more on dialogue than action, it is imperative to have a talented cast able to believably deliver those lines. Fortunately, Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman turn out to be the perfect co-stars for this production. Their chemistry is natural and undeniable, making their interactions with each other completely authentic. Even Molly’s shocking, outlandish reactions are believable in light of her character’s mentality that she simply excelled at portraying. Even though Logan Lerman still has his youth, he’s already had a lengthy career, but he seems to have finally found the role he’s best suited for in this film, delivering one of his better performances to date.
Then add in Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds, who provide additional humor with their laid-back approach considering the seriousness of the crime being committed. Even comedian David Cross’ small role as the oddball neighbor is memorably amusing.
If you’re tired of these overrated blockbusters and want something a bit more unique, then go find this hidden gem. “Oh, Hi!” is a pleasant surprise that is as funny as it is engaging. It may not have the explosive action of a big budget Hollywood production, but it has the intelligence, ingenuity, and a strong sense of humor that promises a fun time.
This movie earns:
