Love, Guaranteed Movie Review
Nathan Swank
September 30th, 2020
I always feel bad about giving negative reviews. Especially when a movie isn’t meant to be anything other than simple, genre-oriented entertainment. Such is the case with LOVE, GUARANTEED, a Netflix original rom-com that has all the makings of a Hallmark special. Hey, I get it. There’s an audience for that. My wife is part of that audience and I for one can easily be persuaded into the warm fuzzy embrace of nothingness when a movie is able to deliver a simple smile. Should I be punished for falling into its cheesy sap trap? Should it be praised for slightly sucking me in even if it’s mostly a cliche dumping ground?
Susan Whitaker (Rachael Leigh Cook) has a small firm that specializes in sticking up for the little guy, helping those who need it. Ah Yes, I do love a lawyer who practices kindness. Nick Evans (Damon Wayans Jr.) is also a kind man who has a big, albeit a bit unusual, case that he wants Susan to take. Love, Guaranteed is an online dating site owned by a massive corporation run by the cold-hearted Tamara Taylor (Heather Graham). Nick has recorded 100 dates provided by the dating service where he actively has searched for love with no luck. Nick wishes to pursue a lawsuit in hopes to stop the company from using false promises to prey and profit on people’s longing for love.
Directed by Mark Steven Johnson (SIMON BIRCH, DAREDEVIL) and written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, LOVE, GUARANTEED has a decent idea and charm. The two leads are fantastic, finding humor and chemistry as they fully commit to their characters. Wayans and Cook are both charming and funny and seem to be at ease in the romantic comedy. Sean Amsing and Lisa Durupt shine as Susan’s assistants, earning a couple of the film’s few laugh out loud scenes.
I’m not sure how to describe Netflix movies, but I feel like they are creating their own genre. The quality just isn’t quite up to par, however, we feel compelled to watch whatever they put out. Is it the simple product of not having a local video store (or movie theater in 2020) to broaden our scope of cinema and it’s simply easier to surf Netflix accepting whatever drivel they deem worthy as their new release each week? I understand we occasionally get some high-quality, film-worthy material like Oscar nominees RONA and THE IRISHMAN, which probably should be viewed in an actual theater rather than our homes. But the majority of content is simply okay and we as an audience seem to be okay with that. But I digress.
Ultimately, I had more than a few noticeable out loud chuckles in LOVE, GUARANTEED. As I said before, the two leads are great and the idea is ripe with good material, particularly when we get glimpses of Nick’s many unfortunate dates. I think the film could have capitalized more by showcasing these moments. Yes, it has many groan-worthy moments as well, falling into those typical hokey Hallmark moments, but it somehow mostly works, even when it shouldn’t. I want to be clear, I don’t recommend this movie to anyone but those who are forgiving in their rom-com movies. And I can’t even say that I think this is a “good” movie. Nonetheless, LOVE, GUARANTEED kept a smile on my face. And that’s not so bad.
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