Lovebirds

What is love?

The age-old question, there are different types of love. Unconditional love between family members, a spiritual connection held together by trust, loyalty, and respect between friends. However, I’m talking about the context of a romantic relationship. These armchair “marriage counselors” would say that love is a spiritual, passionate, sexual connection. The cynic in me would say that love is a rush of dopamine you get that encourages you to procreate, the same dopamine rush that fades years after the honeymoon phase, the same high that you’ll fruitlessly chase that sometimes ends in misery and divorces…But I digress.

If you’re an adult like me (I’m in my 20’s, but I’m 56 according to my right knee), then you’ve been on tinder dates. One of these dates took place in the movie theatre. She wanted to watch the Harley Quinn movie, so I obliged; my simp game is strong. During the advertisements, the preview to Lovebirds caught my attention. The slapstick, premise, and jokes really enticed me. So I did what every film critic does, I watched it on Netflix because movie theatres don’t exist right now.

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What’s the premise, Headley?

Since you asked nicely, I’ll tell you. Leilani (Issa Rae) and Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) meets up for a first date. Sparks fly and a connection is felt; love at first sight. Some time has passed, and they are well into the relationship. Like everyone in relationships based in reality, they’ve hit some turbulence, which is very healthy. Arguments stemming from work, menial quips, some jealousy, and other things begin to impede on the relationship. These arguments reach a boiling point, and they reach a crossroads, choose whether the end things or press through the hard times. Which option will they pick?

If you said they chose to commit vehicular homicide and going on the run from the law Bonnie and Clyde style, then you’re right; unfortunately, I ran out of “good job” stickers. Well, they didn’t murder anyone, but they were framed. Now they are being chased by the cops and a killer hell-bent on tying loose ends. Together, they go on the offense and embark on a wild journey to uncover a mystery and clear their names. A wild ride that involves a horse, bacon grease, frat bros, and a party that rivals Eyes Wide Shut. Along the way, they will face inner relationship conflict and rekindle that fading flame.

What worked, Headley?

• It’s good that this film has a diverse cast of characters. This couple is professionals. Holding good jobs and have lots of friends. Somewhere down the line, I hope to relate.
• The film starts off with the couple’s first date and has the inciting incident in the future. This background gave the audience’s sympathy a backbone and had me rooting for the couple to overcome the odds to stay together.
• The chemistry is surprisingly good. You could tell that Issa and Kumail enjoyed working together. The dialogue and banter work to a certain extent (I’ll come back to this in the negative part). However, the quiet, intimate scenes like when they looked for clothes worked. You see them ponder about the situation, future of the relationship, and you can see the sparks fly through their eyes as they stare longingly at each other.
• The plot is very absurd, what an outrageous way to be “framed” for murder. It’s certainly not run of the mill.
• Lovebirds had the perfect ingredients, but the dish was undercooked.

What didn’t work, Headley?

• The first thing I noticed was the fact that the movie was under 90 minutes. People don’t think that’s a bad thing, but it ties into why the film ultimately didn’t work, and I’ll explain later in this list.
• I don’t know if the couple is stupid, but everything could’ve been solved if they stayed and told the cops that they were carjacked and ID the culprit. There are cameras everywhere (That’s a crucial part of the plot near the end.)
• The banter back and forth between Leilani and Jibran was natural, but it dragged in some places. For example, the scene where they started interrogating the frat bro and when they were in the interrogation room with the police. I’m all for letting the actors improv in the scene, but then when you rely on improv too much, it undermines the script a little, like the director doesn’t trust that the writing is funny enough; maybe I’m being biased as a writer. Overall, the improv parts seem to be a scream, “Please laugh; I’m trying to be funny.”
• Jibran whines a lot (I know I’m nitpicking on this one)
• Talk about the deus ex machina, the police say everything was excellent, and they know that the couple didn’t murder the cyclist because of the street cameras. Then the killer meets up with the couple at the end, turns out he’s a cop. He monologues about his life and motivation rather than kill them right there. I was expecting him to just say, “I did it, and I would’ve gotten away from it if it wasn’t for you meddling kids.” The writers were throwing in the towel at the end.
• The killer murdered anyone who threatens to reveal the secrets of this elite orgy cult. They could’ve increased the stakes in this part. During my initial viewing of this part, I thought it was odd that the cult members bounced when they were alerted to the police presence. They all left through the doors, and ten seconds later, the cops are storming in. Did the police officers not see them, did cult members disappear in thin air?
• The third act was rushed, I wouldn’t mind having fifteen extra minutes to tie wrap up the plot with a bow on top.

What would you change?

Don’t get me wrong, this movie is good but I have some minor things that I would tweek.

• I was laughing when the killer ran over the cyclist. The timing, the overkill, and the actor’s facial expressions made the joke work. Other slapstick scenes didn’t work, such as the horse kick, the frat guy fight, etc., because the timing wasn’t right, and banter didn’t help.
• The couple’s friends had this dinner party that they were supposed to go to. One of the guys at the party can hack a cell phone that’s important to the plot. However, this guy had his eye on Leilani, according to Jibran. However, it turns out to not be accurate, and the guy is a good sport about it; he says that Leilani always says good things about Jibran. What if the guy really had the hots for Leilani and Jibran knew for a fact? I know it wouldn’t change Jibran’s choice to have him hack the phone, but seeing him swallow his pride to get complete, the goal would’ve had much-needed stakes and tension in their relationship. Maybe reveal some nuance in Jibran and Leilani’s character.
• I would’ve added more of the orgy cult scene. Have the couple interact with some of the cult members while actively digging around for clues or something. The party looked run of the mill, maybe there should’ve been elaborate costumes, music, or something.
• The cult chooses who participates in the orgy via an assigned number. What if the couple were each assigned a number? What if one of their numbers was called to participate? It doesn’t add to the plot really, but if the number was called, the other would’ve stood up and stopped the other. The dilemma would be, stop the orgy and get their cover blown or don’t stop the orgy and stay safe. A choice like this would’ve given them the push to actively save the relationship rather than passively observe the obstacle from the sideline. Along with the murder plot, this would be the ultimate test of the durability of the relationship. As a writer, I’ve learned to always give your protagonists difficult choices and have them make a decision as long as that decision is earned.

In conclusion.

The chemistry was noticeable, and that made me believe that these characters were in love. Many of the couple quarls were relatable because the relationship has rough patches, and it’s inevitable. Even though the movie is short, they did an excellent job setting the plot in motion as quickly and gracefully as possible, not to mention that the circumstances are funny. The improvised banter could’ve been shortened, and the characters could’ve been more active consistently throughout the film. My other gripes are listed above.

No movie is perfect except Shrek 2, but for what it’s worth, Lovebirds was an entertaining movie. A film about a couple with a tight-knit bond, who are willing to ride through the storm, whether it’s relationship problems or solving a damn murder mystery! That ride or die mentality is my type of love story.