“I Want You Back”

Where have all the good rom-coms gone?

By: Avery Wageman

Amazon Prime's newest romantic comedy, "I Want You Back," follows two recently dumped strangers, Peter and Emma, played by Charlie Day and Jenny Slate. Longing for a second chance to prove to their exes that they can live more ambitious lives, Peter and Emma scheme to befriend the other's ex in order to convince them to break up with their new romances. 

Rom-coms are by no means known for their ironclad plots or stellar writing, but I was pretty disappointed with the rushed characterizations and forced romance (or lack thereof) between Peter and Emma. The best movies show not tell, and "I Want You Back" is too busy rushing punch lines to formulate any believable chemistry between its leads; there is too much comedy and not enough romance. 

Despite its faults, "I Want You Back" has some of the best falling-action apologies and healthiest reconciliations I've seen in a rom-com. Also, Manny Jacinto's character, a very hot, overly-passionate middle school theater director, basically absolves the movie of any flaws.

The movie has a great cast and fun concept, but it falls flat on delivering the warm and fuzzies I expect from a romantic comedy. I had high expectations for "I Want You Back," and it left me deeply dissatisfied.