“In Spite of Ourselves” is a cute little romantic comedy that’s easy to settle into, even if you can see most of its moves coming a mile away. Written and directed by Josh Loeb, the film leans hard into that whole “love is messy” mantra. And just in case you miss it, the screenplay reminds you (a lot).
The setup is that of a classic, cloying rom-com. When Portland baker Hannah (Conor Leslie) meets L.A. comedian Archie (Brett Dier), unlikely sparks fly, and they dive headfirst into a whirlwind two week romance that feels almost too good to be real. Then reality hits, distance creeps in, and suddenly it’s not about falling in love, but about whether they can actually sustain a solid relationship. It’s a relatable hook, and the film works best when it just lets these two be awkward, vulnerable, and a little bit frustrating with each other. You know, when they get to act like a real couple.
There’s a charm to the whole thing, especially in Loeb’s decision to set his story in the quirky city of Portland (which gives the movie a cozy, slightly offbeat vibe that fits the story well). The chemistry between the leads carries a lot of the weight too, and it’s super easy to buy into them as a couple even when the script starts spinning its wheels. Leslie and Dier are a great onscreen match, and I fully and completely kept rooting for their characters to succeed both in love and in life.
That said, the film definitely has its not-so-subtle quirks. It tries really hard to be cute and indie, to the point where it occasionally tips into being a little too twee (even the title kind of gives that away). The story also feels stretched thinner than it needs to be, making stretches of the movie feel overly long. Take Archie’s stand-up comedy bits. They are occasionally funny, but tend to interrupt the flow more than they add to it.
Still, there’s something totally likable about the film’s disarming sincerity. Even when he’s hitting all those familiar beats, Loeb taps into that very real idea that timing, distance, and personal baggage can make or break something that feels so right.
“In Spite of Ourselves” certainly isn’t reinventing the rom-com in any way, shape, or form. But if you’re in the mood for something sweet, a little messy, and easy to watch, it gets the job done (even if it tries just a bit too hard along the way).
By: Louisa Moore
