(She’s from Acton, Massachusetts, where most of the story takes place.) This movie is an example of how people who are too close to the source material sometimes aren’t the best people to adapt the source material into a movie screenplay. A few elements of the movie’s story are based on Jenkins Reid’s own life. The “One True Loves” movie (which is based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2016 novel of the same name) fails to balance the comedy and drama, which results in the film having an off-kilter and awkward tone.ĭirected by Andy Finkman, “One True Loves” has a screenplay co-written by Jenkins Reid and her husband, Alex J. The principal cast members do their best in their attempts to make this story convincing, but they are undercut by screenwriting and direction that make this sappy film look like the cinematic equivalent of a cheap and often-unrealistic romance novel. “One True Loves” is a disappointing, missed opportunity to turn a popular book into a classic romantic comedy/drama movie.

Phillipa Soo and Luke Bracey in “One True Loves” (Photo courtesy of The Avenue) Andy Fickman, Beth Broderick, comedy, Cooper van Grootel, drama, Gary Hudson, Lauren Tom, Luke Bracey, Michael O'Keefe, Michaela Conlin, movies, Oceana Matsumoto, One True Loves, Oona Yaffe, Phillipa Soo, Phinehas Yoon, reviews, Simu Liu, Tom Everett Scottīy Carla Hay Phillipa Soo and Simu Liu in “One True Loves” (Photo courtesy of The Avenue)Ĭulture Representation: Taking place in Massachusetts, Maine, and California, over the course of 17 years, the comedy/drama film “One True Loves” features a white and Asian cast of characters (with a few African Americans) representing the working-class and middle-class.Ĭulture Clash: Four years after her husband goes missing in a helicopter crash and is declared dead, a woman gets engaged to a man who was her best friend in childhood, but then the missing husband shows up and expects to continued his married life with the woman.Ĭulture Audience: “One True Loves” will appeal primarily to people who are fans of the book on which the movie is based, and will appeal to people who like very corny love stories where people act unrealistically.

One true loves