Voicemails for Isabelle

Of all movie genres, rom-coms are on the low end of my preference list. That doesn't mean there aren't ones I enjoy, but the number is lower than other genres, and the bar for appealing to me is high. The thing is, I can't necessarily quantify what makes for an appealing rom-com and what doesn't. It's just a vibe. Voicemails for Isabelle hit that vibe. Was it the magnetic cool-girl-next-door charisma of Zoey Deutch? Definitely a big part of it. Was it Nick Robinson being just as flawed and vulnerable? Sure. Was it the way the time spent after the third-act disagreement is used to build Deutch's character arc and make a more rounded individual, so that the romantic reunion is more than a "you fulfill me" cliche? Yes. But it was also just the spirit of the movie. It has a genuine sweetness to it, but also a modern twist on the classic screwball rom-com from the 30's and 40's, the era of rom-coms I love the most. Sorry this isn't the most insightful review. I wish I could be more explicit. Sometimes, a movie just hits the right way at the right time and in a way that you can't explain. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and any fan of rom-coms will too.