Released on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 28., on Max, “Sweethearts” was the perfect movie to complete fall break. This brand-new romantic comedy starring Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga explores complicated relationships in young adulthood, packed with humor and heart to make this one-of-a-kind romantic comedy.
This story centers around college freshmen Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) and Ben (Nico Hiraga), navigating their long-distance relationships with their high school sweethearts from back home in Ohio. The two best friends make a pact to break up with their partners over Thanksgiving break when they return home for the holiday break. Obstacles strike and Jaime and Ben must trek on this adventure with the end goal of accomplishing the perfect breakup.
The cinematography of this film added unique elements that draw you in and convey the comedic soul of this movie. As this was Jordan Weiss’ directorial debut, the direction and choices exceeded my expectations. The warm and saturated colors of the shots, along with the set and costumes, set the tone of the late autumn season and the vibrancy of this film. The energetic change from college to home was clear and lively through brightness changes and energy shifts in the world around the characters. The nostalgic and cozy elements brought to life from the cinematic direction added a new and exciting level to the setting and atmosphere.
The casting of “Sweethearts” was filled with perfect picks, featuring a group of performers who could showcase their character’s depth and emotional layers. Shipka and Hiraga emulated incredible platonic chemistry, making me believe in their undeniable friendship throughout the film. Every performer used their talent and character to add something to the story and make this whole story come together. The interactions felt authentic and flowed easily, drawing the viewer into the characters’ lives and immersing you in each conversation.
The writing and script of this film were very clever, witty, and silly, with jokes landing often throughout the movie. It was easy for me to laugh out loud at my TV screen, even at small jokes. The comedic timing was great, and the balance of jokes and heartfelt moments made it more enjoyable. The writing allowed for an even balance, with heartfelt and emotional scenes while giving time to laugh and mindless watching. The jokes would surprise me and would turn a sad scene around to put some smiles back on the faces of the characters and the audience. As a comedy movie, I worried about the overuse of the same jokes and too much silliness, but I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of deeper thinking lines along with fun anecdotes.
I found the soundtrack for this film to be basic for a comedy centered around relationships and young adults, but one thing I loved was how the songs would, at times, add to the comedy. Some songs would come into the scene at a perfect moment, which brings together the comedic moment and extends a joke to make you laugh even more. There is one scene in particular where the character, Palmer, rides on a fire truck and interrupts a dramatic moment between the main characters as French music begins to play.
“Sweethearts” was fun, bright, heartfelt and all anyone would ever need to entertain them over a long break from school for Thanksgiving. Whether you want an honest and unique look at young relationships, an hour and a half of laughs, or something mindless to watch this holiday season, this is the perfect movie for you to enjoy.
“Sweethearts:” ★★★★★
