RYE LANE (2023)

 

Directed By: Raine Allen-Miller  Written By: Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia  Cinematography: Olan Collardy Editor: Victoria Boydell

Cast: David Jonsson, Vivian Oparah, Poppy Allen-Quarmbi, Simon Manyondm, Levi Roots, Karene Peter, Benjamin Sarpong-Broni, Malcolm Atobrah, Alice Hewlin

Two youngsters reeling from bad breakups connect over an eventful day in South London.

This film has a certain charm to it that is all-encompassing, and it just seems to flirt with the audience, and you have goodwill for not only the characters but the film in general. 

As even the characters that we are not supposed to, like, are so colorful that they end up being enjoyable.

It’s a romantic comedy that has an innocence but continuously stays inventive throughout, and while it has its dark parts, it seems to always stay positive 

It’s a visual, exciting, colorful, and inventive film, and it stays somewhat unpredictable as it serves as a love letter to not only the characters but also where is filmed in the south of London 

Throughout the film, it’s obvious that the two main characters are meant to be together so it is fun watching them fall for one another as a tease flirt make out separate encourage and are there for one another 

It’s also refreshing to see a love story between African-American characters and a love story that doesn’t involve cheating, nor does it rely too much on comedy instead of romance.

It’s definitely a modern, romantic comedy dealing with issues, but it also maintains a sweetness. where you root for the characters throughout, as they are more identifiable, and than most of the genre. 

Even with its sidetracks into surreal imagery, the characters stay relatable and identifiable. It feels a little more real than most romantic comedies as the film stays witty so do the characters; they are people you know or would want to know. Their motivations are clearly understandable.

It’s a film that is fun to discover, and the less you know about it,  the happier the film will ultimately make you. At times, it might seem like a shot like a music video. It is that colorful, but not as many rapid edits, and it stays creative and artistic at its heart as much as its characters.

It even manages to squeeze in a cameo, buy an Oscar-winning actor out of nowhere, and seemingly for no reason.  

The only false note of the movie is the third act where they must separate, but you know they’re going to get back together. It would’ve been more inventive to come up with a better reason for them to separate than the one that is presented. 

Either way by the third act when they are reunited, it is based off of themes earlier in the film and a joy. It’s a fair that is grand in its own way. 

Grade: B+