
Lovebirds was originally supposed to be released theatrically this spring, but those plans got axed because of the coronavirus. Luckily Netflix swooped in and released the movie on the streaming platform last week and we’re all the better for it.
I started watching the film, not knowing much about it. I just knew it was a romcom that starred Issa Rae (Insecure) and Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick and Silicon Valley). But, the film is not just a romcom.
Leilani (Rae) and Jibran (Nanjiani) are a couple who fell quickly in love, but a few years later they are on the brink of breaking up. On their way to a dinner party with friends, their drive takes an unexpected turn and they become embroiled in a murder mystery. The couple, thinking they’re the prime suspects, spend the rest of the evening running around trying to solve the murder hoping to ultimately clear their names.
While the setup is familiar, we don’t see Black and POC actors get to do these types of movies, unless they’re the villains. These roles are usually reserved for actors like Tina Fey and Steve Carell. The script is really tight. There are no silly subplots to distract us. Everything makes sense and ties together nicely. Rae and Nanjiani have amazing chemistry and should be paired onscreen again soon.
Lovebirds gets my highest recommendation. Get your popcorn, a cocktail and enjoy all the laughs!
Watch the trailer below.
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