When We First Met
2018 · Directed by Ari Sandel
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
- fantasy
The story
Using a magical photo booth that sends him back in time, Noah relives the night he met Avery over and over, trying to persuade her to fall for him.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated party lighting with the warm, slightly sticky glow of a crowded Halloween night: fairy lights, costumes in primary colours, and a photo booth whose flash lands like a small, bright shock each time the loop resets. The camerawork stays brisk and bouncy, with handheld moves and quick cuts that keep a rom-com's energy up, while the rare calmer beats settle into softer, more intimate framing. The score is upbeat pop-rock and light synth, with comic stings that punctuate each do-over. Pacing is quick and cheerful, the romance playful and a little frantic, its emotional register warm and self-aware rather than heavy. The central arc follows a man who learns that trying harder to be liked is not the same as being seen. Language is sharp and sexual innuendo appears now and then, but there is no gore and the violence is slapstick-level. Mild, bright, and low on real danger, it suits a Friday night with friends, a light comfort rewatch, or anyone wanting a sweet, funny spin on second chances. It is for people who enjoy romantic comedies with a playful sci-fi twist.
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