Regretting You is a film that pays homage to the transformative power of cinema, inviting viewers into a world where they can easily lose track of time and place. For the duration of its two-hour runtime, audiences may find themselves questioning not only the year but also their own reasons for being engrossed in this peculiar narrative. The film's title, aptly chosen, resonates deeply—especially for fans of Colleen Hoover, the acclaimed novelist known for her best-selling book, It Ends With Us. This novel features a love triangle involving a florist, her high-school crush, and a violent neurosurgeon, setting a precedent for the melodrama that Regretting You delivers.
At its core, Regretting You offers an exaggerated and often absurd slice of melodrama, interspersed with moments of unexpected comedy. These humorous elements may lead some viewers to speculate whether they are witnessing a sophisticated art project or an elaborate parody of romantic literature itself. The film targets a specific demographic, likely evoking nostalgic memories of the summer of 2007 through the resonant sounds of the Vegas band, The Killers, whose music plays a pivotal role in the lives of two main characters.
The film opens with a vibrant end-of-term celebration, where we meet the central quartet: Morgan (played by Allison Williams), her athletic boyfriend Chris (played by Scott Eastwood), her party-loving sister Jenny (played by Willa Fitzgerald), and Jenny's intellectual partner Jonah (played by Dave Franco). As Chris and Jenny venture off to enjoy the festivities, Morgan and Jonah are left alone, leading Jonah to ponder, “How did we end up with our exact opposites?” However, Morgan carries a significant secret—she is pregnant with Chris' child, a revelation that is dramatically punctuated with fireworks.
Fast-forward 17 years, and Morgan is now married to Chris and the mother of a 16-year-old daughter, Clara (played by Mckenna Grace). On Jenny’s birthday, she arrives with her newborn, rekindling her relationship with Jonah after an unexplained absence, creating an awkward tension in the room. Meanwhile, Clara experiences a quirky meet-cute with Miller (played by Mason Thames), an aspiring filmmaker who Clara claims is the “coolest guy in school,” despite his dubious background.
As the birthday celebration unfolds, Clara faces warnings about Miller, who lives on a remote farm and has a troubled family history. The narrative takes a dark turn when tragedy strikes: Jenny and Morgan's husband die in a car accident. The shocking revelation that they had been involved in an affair sends shockwaves through Morgan and Jonah, leaving them grappling with betrayal and uncertainty, especially regarding Jonah's potential paternity.
As the plot progresses, Morgan's decision to keep the truth from Clara leads to further complications. Clara, who aspires to be an actress, is left believing she caused the crash by distracting Jenny. The film, just 35 minutes in, has already set the stage for a series of misunderstandings that stretch the narrative to its limits. Drawing on themes from Shakespeare, the journey of true love is anything but straightforward.
Regretting You struggles with tonal inconsistencies, often feeling like a typical Hallmark movie infused with unnecessary irony. Despite this, the cast delivers commendable performances, particularly Williams as Morgan and Grace as Clara, who showcases a wardrobe reminiscent of Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. The film, while not a critical darling, manages to evoke a mixed bag of emotions, leaving audiences torn between laughter and tears.
In summary, Regretting You is an intriguing blend of melodrama, nostalgia, and unexpected humor that challenges viewers' perceptions of romantic narratives. While it may not reach the heights of cinematic masterpieces, it provides a thought-provoking exploration of love, betrayal, and the complexities of family dynamics. As audiences finish the film, they may find themselves reflecting on the delicate balance between laughter and sorrow, much like the characters themselves.
