Publications
Partners
WHAT IT'S ABOUT:
Dumped by her long-term boyfriend, a music journalist recruits her two best friends for one last outrageous adventure in New York City before she moves to San Francisco.
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
The rom-com we have been waiting for has finally arrived!
Someone Great is by no means perfect, but it is a breath of fresh air that takes the exhausted rom-com recipe and throws it out of the window.
An aspiring journalist, Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) lands her dream job in San Francisco. As a result, she and her boyfriend of 9 years, Nate (LaKeith Stanfield) break up, prompting Jenny to call on her two best friends, Erin (DeWanda Wise) and Blair (Brittany Snow) for one last night of absolute fun in New York City.
Upon reading this, you may think: 'Oh I know where this is going.' But let me say, you don't!
Someone Great is more than what its synopsis suggests. It goes beneath the surface of coming to terms with losing your first love, or any love for that matter, growing up and finding yourself. And, for a long-awaited change, it shows viewers that a woman does not need to get the man back or get a new man to have a happy ending – something I found very empowering and could relate to.
Not only is Someone Great written and directed by first-time filmmaker Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, but the entire film is also one big package of fun filled with girl power, better yet woman power, putting the focus on the beautiful and strong bond between the three leading ladies.
Gina and DeWanda were bound to have infectious onscreen chemistry – the two have been friends since college – but their bond welcomed Brittany to the group with open arms. Every emotion they feel and obstacle they face, these ladies have got each other's back which is exactly what people need to be seeing onscreen right now – women supporting other women.
I will admit the film does have Hangover or Girls Trip tendencies as things very nearly get out of hand, but Jennifer knew when to give more and when to reign it in, which made the film watchable from start to finish without over-the-top cringe moments.
I also now want to go to New York more than ever before, just because the city is so beautifully illustrated. Everything from the skyscrapers and gardens to the bright city lights and the buzzing nightlife – Jennifer has beautifully showcased it all.
In an interview with Channel24, Brittany shared what she wants and hopes women and men will take away from the film, saying: This movie is really about choosing yourself and choosing your career and your friends and your power first, and I would love guys and girls to watch this and feel empowered that they are choosing themselves – that's actually the most romantic thing of all.
And I couldn't agree more. It's not always an easy thing to choose yourself without the worry of seeming selfish, but it is worth it in the end.
