Irreplaceable You features an endearing story, fairly likable leads and tremendous supporting actors. So why doesn't it work? At all?
First, it's painfully dull and flat. Nothing about the movie feels authentic or developed. Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is diagnosed with cancer and is not expected to live long. But she never actually looks sick. She keeps her luscious hair, aside from a single lost lock in a scene that is supposed to be emotionally devastating but is instead eyeroll worthy because it's not deserved.
The scenes that are meant to evoke emotional responses never work because they simply happen. There's no build up to pull viewers in and engage them. The moments are slapped on like a bumper sticker and contain the same amount of depth. The result is a tear-jerker movie that causes no tears.
The other main issue is with the premise. I'm not sure that any writer could make this one work. Abbie uses dating apps to find a new girl for her fiancé to be with after she dies. It's uncomfortable, unfunny and unbelievable. So, of course, it never builds any momentum and is eventually abandoned in the third act. But by then the movie is nearly over and the plotline most in focus is doomed to fail.
The lone bright spots come from supporting performances of Kate McKinnon (SNL), Timothy Simons (Veep) and Christopher Walken (pick a movie). Steve Coogan is also around but is underused. Just another example of the filmmakers focusing on the wrong aspects of the story. With some better choices of plot and character use, this movie might have been halfway decent.
But the choices were the wrong ones, and consequently, this movie is a very poor one.
First, it's painfully dull and flat. Nothing about the movie feels authentic or developed. Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is diagnosed with cancer and is not expected to live long. But she never actually looks sick. She keeps her luscious hair, aside from a single lost lock in a scene that is supposed to be emotionally devastating but is instead eyeroll worthy because it's not deserved.
The scenes that are meant to evoke emotional responses never work because they simply happen. There's no build up to pull viewers in and engage them. The moments are slapped on like a bumper sticker and contain the same amount of depth. The result is a tear-jerker movie that causes no tears.
The other main issue is with the premise. I'm not sure that any writer could make this one work. Abbie uses dating apps to find a new girl for her fiancé to be with after she dies. It's uncomfortable, unfunny and unbelievable. So, of course, it never builds any momentum and is eventually abandoned in the third act. But by then the movie is nearly over and the plotline most in focus is doomed to fail.
The lone bright spots come from supporting performances of Kate McKinnon (SNL), Timothy Simons (Veep) and Christopher Walken (pick a movie). Steve Coogan is also around but is underused. Just another example of the filmmakers focusing on the wrong aspects of the story. With some better choices of plot and character use, this movie might have been halfway decent.
But the choices were the wrong ones, and consequently, this movie is a very poor one.