We are going to definitely have to preface that I am not the audience for Rom-Coms, especially when the main character Lucy (Geraldine Viswanathan) is a break-up hoarder. I am the guy that will delete your phone number in front of you if you tell me we aren’t working out, then go home and throwaway everything single thing you’ve ever given me as a gift…unless it’s a coffee mug. I drink way too much coffee and tea. I digress, besides my personal biases against mourning break-ups, let alone holding on to mementos of those past relationships, as against all my personal feelings towards the subject, The Broken Hearts Gallery is a quirky, charming, fun popcorn chick flick.
Going along with the story, Lucy, the romantic hoarder who won’t let go of the past is dumped by her stunningly handsome boyfriend, Max (Utkarsh Ambudkar) who brings her replacement (that happens to be the ex who broke his heart in Paris) to a gallery event. Lucy has a total meltdown in public that naturally ends up on Instagram by her work rival, Harvard (Ego Nwodim) leading to a series of movie magic timed events where in a drunken daze, gets into the wrong Toyota Prius driven by the soon-to-be romantic interest, Nick (Dacre Montgomery) who takes pity on her by driving her home when he’s mistaken for the Uber driver.
At this point, after the good deed (see, I’m not that heartless), I would have gone on my merry way, turning it to a stand-up comedy bit. However, guys in Rom-Coms aren’t that rational and saves her yet again, when he happens to be in the bar where Max and his old-new lady love are having dinner. As Lucy gets tries to confront Max and is tossed out of the hot spot, it is Nick who saves her yet again and the budding romance begins to blossom.
Oh, did we mention Lucy’s roommates? The ulta-relatable, womanizing, token lesbian, Nadine [(Phillipa Soo), the relatable part is that she can instantly erase people from her life, not the womanizing part.] and the macabre Amanda (Molly Gordon), who constantly threaten Nick if he breaks Lucy’s heart…which spoiler, he does.
Nick who initially was going to create his condemned building into a a boutique hotel is convinced by Lucy to allow her to turn it into her lost loves gallery in exchange for being free labor.
From there predictable we’re just friends, we like each other, oh wait, here comes the dark secret that ruins everything and then eventually in a grand gesture wins the true love of said person’s life back happens, big cheers, run credits!
Yes, The Broken Hearts Gallery follows every single beat of every Rom-Com made since 1990. Yes, The Broken Hearts Gallery tries to be New York hip by having fast one-liners that made so many people fall in love with The Gilmore Girls. Yes, it is total BS that a starving artist, a law student and a womanizing lesbian can afford a three-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. However, for all the unbelievable stuff within the story itself, The Broken Hearts Gallery is still quite humorous and well worth the watch. No matter how predictable a story is, if the characters and the actors who play them are that likable, you’ll sit through it and give up your hard earned cash for two-hours of entertainment.
The Broken Hearts Gallery is available on VOD and a very limited theatrical release on Friday, September 11, 2020.
- Overall Score
Summary
Predictability can often lead to indignation, but the charm, humor and well put together story allows The Broken Hearts Gallery to stand apart from most groan worthy Rom-Coms.