Irreplaceable You (2018) Reviews

• Sticks to the recipe

  elliest_52018-03-08

  It's not a bad film. It's definitely watchable and I did get a little teary towards the end, so I wouldn't call it soul-less either. It just doesn't have enough soul and it doesn't have enough originality. In fact, I've recently come up with a category of films that this would totally fit into. It's called "scripts that could have been written by an AI". A successful AI mind you - one that has been fed every produced script on the same topic, but also one that cannot produce anything genre-defying or ground-breaking. So here's the recipe it operates on: -Take the "Love Story" (the 1970 film) premise (as used by a million other films between then and now). -Create good chemistry between two stereotypical protagonists (the "loveable and deceptively sexy nerd" male and the "strong, funny, and beautiful" female) -Cast a hunk recognisable from an extremely popular TV series to attract the fandom -Lightly sprinkle on top with quotable wisdoms about the meaning of life and death And there you have it. Served lukewarm on Netflix.

• It's a Tear-jerker that Jerks No Tears

  Jared_Andrews2018-04-09

  Irreplaceable You features an endearing story, fairly likable leads and tremendous supporting actors. So why doesn't it work? At all. First, it's painfully dull and flat. Nothing about the movie feels authentic or developed. Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is diagnosed with cancer and is not expected to live long. But she never actually looks sick. She keeps her luscious hair, aside from a single lost lock in a scene that is supposed to be emotionally devastating but is instead eyeroll worthy because it's not deserved. The scenes that are meant to evoke emotional responses never work because they simply happen. There's no build up to pull viewers in and engage them. The moments are slapped on like a bumper sticker and contain the same amount of depth. The result is a tear-jerker movie that causes no tears. The other main issue is with the premise. I'm not sure that any writer could make this one work. Abbie uses dating apps to find a new girl for her fiancé to be with after she dies. It's uncomfortable, unfunny and unbelievable. So, of course, it never builds any momentum and is eventually abandoned in the third act. But by then the movie is nearly over and the plotline most in focus is doomed to fail. The lone bright spots come from supporting performances of Kate McKinnon (SNL), Timothy Simons (Veep) and Christopher Walken (pick a movie). Steve Coogan is also around but is underused. Just another example of the filmmakers focusing on the wrong aspects of the story. With some better choices of plot and character use, this movie might have been halfway decent. But the choices were the wrong ones, and consequently, this movie is a very poor one.

• A Truly Remarkable Film About Love and Death That is Excellent ***Spoiler Alert***

  heykateforever2018-02-18

  I refuse to make this review a defense against the first review, so here is just what I saw. I hate these kinds of movies. They are always cheesy and there to elicit tears of sympathy making the tragedy of a young life cut short into a possible Academy Award. What I loved about this movie was that it never took itself too seriously. It never tried to be about death, but about life and how we live it day to day. Abbie is our young lady, who has been in love with Sam since they were children and is planning their wedding when she is suddenly diagnosed with Stage 4 either Uterine or possibly Ovarian cancer. But this is not a surprise to us, because the movie starts at her grave, with Sam putting flowers there and telling her "hello." I LOVED knowing beforehand what was coming. There is no moment of revelation, because we know how it ends and we chose to continue watching anyway. This isn't some newbie project from inexperienced people. This is one of the best movies about love and death I have ever seen. And I've seen them all. What set this movie apart from all the others, was that we got to relax and peer into the lives of two lovers, excellently played, by the way, by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Michiel Huisman, as these youngsters experience something most of us won't face until much later in life. This is their story. They had incredible chemistry, the humor took the edge off the sadness, but ultimately, this is a personal story of two very young people trying to deal with the unimaginable. And the storytellers pulled it off. Knowing what was coming, somehow, for me, took the hope factor out of it, so I could just be part of their experience of having a great love and losing it "too soon." It might not be your type of movie, but watching these two, believing their strong love, and a remarkable turn by Christopher Walken, a truly wonderful actor, was worth the experience.

• No.

  Livelongandprosperalways2018-02-17

  Another disappointing film with beautiful actress Gugu Mbatha-raw. This netflix film is about a woman in a loving relationship with her fiancé Sam (Michiel Huisman). She finds out she has cancer and they are both distraught. So she sets out to find the perfect girlfriend to care for Sam when she's gone and hilarity ensues. Except no it doesn't. The film wants to really bad though. The movie wants to let you know the couple really loves each other and they are cutely quirky. Feels super forced and almost embarrassing. Michiel Huisman looks the part but he's very bad at acting in this film. I'm not sure if it's the ridiculous dialogue or his mind is elsewhere. He's trying desperately to make emotional outbursts but they don't come out like he really cares. Think Christian Grey Level. Meanwhile Gugu doesn't feel sincere. Yes, I said it. She seems too jolly so that she'd be likeable I know but it makes her kind of of a fake character. Everyone in the film keeps reminding you that "what Sam and Abbie have" is so special. But is it? Is it though? Yea it's sad she has cancer but I'm not buying it. Also, Christopher Walken is so random like why is he even in the film? For the wise old man to "hilariously" guide her through her predicament. *cough* Typical *cough* Then of course he predictably dies when he doesn't show up to the support group. Raise your hand if you knew that was the way his death would be found out! *Raises both hands* The support group was obviously used for comic relief and I just couldn't stifle a laugh because I know Netflix wanted me to laugh. Not today Netflix! Not Today! I give this movie a good 3 stars because it's short and after Abbie gives her chick flick speech, she soon dies. When she does, she gives yet another speech. *sigh* I don't know how exactly to describe my expression during that scene. Here's an example: Side-Eyeing Chloe. Yeah, google her. If you like this movie, I shall judge you. You probably also liked the Fifty Shades Franchise, Twilight Saga, Beastly, A Walk To Remember, Everything, Everything, and you're going to love this year's Midnight Sun. I know your type. Also, I hoped you enjoyed this review. - Your local Cynic.

• Raw with a real truth behind the story

  mflynn-42018-02-19

  I'm not sure I could have fully appreciated the nuances and impact that the story conveyed without having personal experience of family members, and close friends suffering cancer. Once again Gugu Mbatha-Raw gives us a barnstorming performance, showing a full range of emotions and character flaws. The stages of grief, from bargaining, anger, disbelief, through to expectance beautifully displayed. The whole story arc of trying to control the future for others rang true with my own experiences. The supporting cast were all on form, especially Christopher Walken & Jacki Weaver, stealing most scenes that they were in with bittersweet irony, and tender emotions. Ultimately some aspects around the story of the perfect couple together from the age of 8, annoyed me a bit, they just didn't quite seem plausible, but by the end of the film, if you're not bawling your eyes out, you have the emotional range of a teaspoon!