Love At First Sight
Love At First Sight – On her way to her father’s wedding in London from the US, Hadley has a chance meeting with Londoner, Oliver. Yet London is rife with struggles in both of their lives. Will the romance blossoming between them be strong enough to keep them together?
Love At First Sight (2023) – Director: Vanessa Caswi
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Rating: 12
Running Length: 91 minutes
Starring: Haley Lu Richardson, Ben Hardy, Rob Delaney
Genres: Romance, Drama
REVIEW: ‘LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT’
Based on the novel ‘The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight’ by Jennifer E. Smith, ‘Love At First Sight’ follows American Hadley who, as the movie’s name suggests, locks eyes with handsome Brit, Oliver and the pair have an instant attraction.
It’s not a romance without something happening to tear the potential lovebirds apart and put stumbling blocks stopping their return together. Refreshingly, these challenges aren’t the terrible things that one (or both) of them say or do, but an engagingly realistic problem of differing priorities.
Hadley is dreading attending her father’s new wedding as she knows it will dredge up resentment of a fractured family unit. That the reality differs from her preconceptions takes Hadley a little time to adjust to. Meanwhile, Oliver attends an event he is equally dreading in a story line that is touchingly poignant. Both need to be there for their families but also can’t stop thinking of each other and, despite not properly swapping names and numbers, fate manages brings them together.
Told with narration by Jameela Jamil who pops up throughout the movie in different guises to nudge both Hadley and Oliver in the right direction, the story takes a nicely balanced view of the characters. Each has something difficult going on in their lives. Hadley’s struggle is dealt with respectfully while Oliver’s is given the time and weight needed to be affecting.
Such rounded characterisation also extends to the wider cast. The most grating is Oliver’s annoying younger brother, Luther (played by ‘The Kid Who Would Be King‘ actor Tom Taylor) but thankfully this hand is never overplayed and the two get on well.
The chemistry between all the characters is natural and believable, binding all the elements of a typical romantic drama together. The result is a rather lovely little film that is gentle, wholesome, and flutters the heart of those who want to strike up a conversation with it.
CONTENT: IS ‘LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?
A boy is enjoying a play put on by his parents. His mother clutches her side and winces in pain. It is revealed throughout the film that this was a symptom of terminal illness.
There is some innuendo around the term ‘Happy Ending’ but this is so subtle that it is unlikely to be understood by kids.
Characters are seen drinking alcohol. A bridesmaid uses a British euphemism for getting drunk by saying, ‘first rule of a British wedding – get smashed!’
A man gives a speech to introduce someone who is very ill. This starts in a happy and upbeat way, but as he goes to hand over to the other character, he pauses several times as he struggles to maintain his composure. The next speech is very similar. Both speeches are lovely and understated.
A character is seen grieving alone. When another comes to comfort him he tries to hide his emotions, but it is clear that he is deeply upset.
A voiceover lists the number of times a couple does certain things during their relationship including how many times they ‘make love’.
CAN I SEE A CLIP?
VERDICT: IS ‘LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT’ FOR KIDS?
Wholesome, likeable characters? Surely not! This is a movie that can balance lightness with heavier themes easily and brings us a story to get behind. The grief experienced by some of the characters may be too much for younger viewers (especially those affected by terminal illness) but otherwise we would recommend this movie for kids aged 10 and over.
- Violence: 0/5
- Emotional Distress: 2/5 (Oliver and his family’s grief is understated and poignant, there are several moments that will bring a lump to your throat but they are never overdone so are unlikely to be distressing)
- Fear Factor: 0/5
- Sexual Content: 1/5 (mild innuendo)
- Bad Language: 3/5 (infrequent mild and moderate cursing. One strong word is uttered under someone’s breath when they forget their lines during a performance)
- Dialogue: 2/5 (talk of alcohol helping people be ready to party and touching dialogue about losing a loved one)
- Other Notes: Deals with themes of love, family, friendship, accepting change and destiny.
Words by Laura Record
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