More Com Than Rom—Review Of Players (2024)
The streaming site I often use decides to give users a Valentine's day treat by uploading a recent release, Players (2024). Yes, it's a romcom but not sports related. I almost swipe it off my screen until I look closely at the poster and see Gina Rodriguez, Tom Ellis and Damon Wayans Jr. That's an ensemble, so I get cosy and watch to see what this cast has for me.
It has become typical in American romcoms released in the past decade or more for many things to occur or be featured in one film to the point that it gets rowdy sometimes. Then the audience loses focus on what the main theme is.
There's a plot, one or two subplots and then the characters get weighed down with many activities that have them running around the clock. These romcoms give the vibe of busy lives, with characters multitasking day and night while trying to fall in love! And then I wonder, how do they find the ‘energy’ to love if this was real life?
So Players does not divert from this unreal Hollywood script or angle. Mackenzie (played by Gina Rodriguez), a sportswriter often engages in games and schemes with her colleagues/friends to hook up with people. She meets Nick (played by Tom Ellis) at work and persuades her friends to ‘scheme’ her into a relationship with him. The question is, will this scheme work for a long-term relationship since they've never tried it before?
Review
The plot is good and familiar. The team of single friends play the field and are having fun. Then one of them decides to get into a serious relationship and their lives take a dive. I enjoy the playful banter and comedy between the characters. They sell the camaraderie very well such that we don't expect the surprise that comes up later. Although, halfway through the film, I had my suspicions. The director, Trish Sie, ties up the subplots well in the end.
However, there are so many unrealistic moments in this film. The first thing I don't agree with is the ‘scheming’ for hookups. It portrays that deception is often the go-to for a one-night stand and Mack always seems to have the statistics or data right off her finger. She knows the right moves to make and her friends get hooked. In real life, we don't always win like that.
Also, the characters spend the better part of the film on their hookups at bars, parties, and bowling clubs and I'm left wondering when they ever have the time to work, like real people. For example, Mack wants to write a feature but has no idea and her office just lets her be. In real life, no one does that. Romcoms can be interesting and delightful but injecting some reality into them grounds the film.
On the plus side, the cast's performance is great. As always, Gina Rodriguez sparks life and fun into every scene and makes Mackenzie a delightful character. She's cheerful, determined but flawed and gets our sympathy. Tom Ellis convinces me he's a playboy who's more interested in himself. I particularly liked Liza Koshy as Ashley. She's smart, and when the team of friends need help, she's there!
The visuals are okay, nothing spectacular. Though this film is tagged as a romance comedy, I get the comedy but fail to see or feel the romance. It's all about the scheming and the fun attached to it. The friends are ‘players’ and they played well.
Overall, Players is not bad. It's a delightful watch if you want to pass the time and laugh a little. It's basically focused on the lesson that ‘don't pretend to be something or someone that you're not’. I'll give it 3 stars out of 5.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Other images are screenshots from the movie
Posted using CineTV
I identify with you, I am very practical and that is often an impediment to enjoy a simple movie.
Indeed it can be. Thanks so much for your visit. 🙂
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