Someone Great (2019)

Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

Written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson 

Starring Gina Rodriguez, LaKeith Stanfield, Brittany Snow and DeWanda Wise

Netflix's newest original movie, Someone Great unfortunately is not something great. Gina Rodriguez was the only factor drawing me to watch the movie, given the trailer doesn't really scream "I'm the next greatest romantic comedy."

The movie, set in New York City, follows Jenny (Gina Rodriguez), a music journalist who is fresh out of a 9 year relationship after her boyfriend Nate (LaKeith Stanfield) would not agree to move to San Francisco for her new job, let alone even try long distance. Heartbroken but trying to make the most of her final days in the city, Jenny and her two best friends, Blair (Brittany Snow) and Erin (DeWanda Wise) partake in one last wild night together in NYC. 

Someone Great's plot is rather thin and not very interesting. It's essentially the three girls trying to score concert tickets while getting high a lot, drinking a lot and occasional flashbacks to Jenny and Nate's relationship. I understand that it's a "moving on" story, but I'm just a little tired of movies where the main plot line is, having a wild night. Aside from that, the montages of Jenny and Nate saved the movie a little bit. The chemistry between them is believable, and they're scenes together were always very adorable, so that did make me feel something. 

I wasn't that connected to any of the characters either. While I was attached to the idea of Jenny and Nate's love, Gina Rodriguez's character was kind of annoying outside of the relationship. Jenny is supposed to be this music journalist who is going to work for Rolling Stones but thats the first and last you ever hear of her passion for music. Blair was the uptight friend with a bit of a wild side and Erin was the "go-with-the-flow" friend who did have some commitment issues. That's really all the information about the girls we get though. We also get some random cameos from Rosario Dawson and RuPaul? 

Also, does Robinson not know how female friends act with each other? It seemed like she was constantly trying to remind us how close their friendship was because they were constantly exchanging "I love you's." Nobody is saying I love you to their friends that often. 

While this movie made me chuckle a couple times, the comedy was usually a little cringeworthy. This film's biggest selling point is the love story between Nate and Jenny. Even though it begins with their break-up, the flashbacks to their story is actually very endearing to watch. The soundtrack is also really great. Sadly, this movie just adds to the semi disappointing recent track-record of Netflix original movies. 

5/10