The Reel Review
Jamie and Ben, two best friends who are so codependent that they decided to attend the same college together, jointly decide to break up with their respective boyfriend and girlfriend at the same time during Thanksgiving break to free them up to date other people. But could that transform their friendship into a romance? Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga (Booksmart) star in this romantic comedy.
The holiday season seems to be a dumping ground for limp rom-coms, and Sweethearts is no exception. The story from co-writer/director Jordan Weiss (writer of the Dollface and Harley Quinn TV series) is half-hearted at best, with a secondary plotline involving the duo’s gay friend Palmer, whose gap year working at Disneyland Paris has inspired him to come out to everyone during the holiday break. Despite the dual plot lines, the charismatic Shipka (Twisters, Longlegs, Totally Killer) and Caleb Hearon (Jurassic World Dominion) as Palmer carry the film as best as possible. Hiraga’s performance as the sweet but wishy-washy bestie Ben, who is taken advantage of by his college roommate to a shocking degree, is more exasperating than it is funny.
The film also tries way too hard to be edgy, be it the raunchy language, adult sexual themes or the brief but pointless full frontal male nudity. Additionally, the onscreen chemistry between Shipka and Hiraga is also lacking. Sweethearts does have a handful of chuckles and endearing moments, but they are just buried within an otherwise directionless and forgettable dud of a movie.
REEL FACTS
• Kiernan Shipka will next star with Pamela Anderson in the upcoming movie The Last Showgirl, about a Las Vegas showgirl who must make plans for her future after her show abruptly closes after 30 years.
• Caleb Hearon was also a writer on the 2022 TV series Human Resources.
• Charlie Hall, who plays Jamie’s jock boyfriend, is the son of college sweethearts Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Saturday Night Live alum Brad Hall who’ve been married since 1987.
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