directed by Alex Lehmann
Do you know what “meet cute” is in cinema? It’s the scene where two characters, potential future lovers, meet for the first time. We all enjoy that unique feeling of excitement and curiosity, which can never be repeated. Unless you’re Sheila (Kaley Cuoco) from Manhattan, who one day meets Gary (Pete Davidson) at a bar and the date goes so well that Sheila wishes to experience it again. But not just regularly date Gary – she wants to repeat the same first day. In order to do it, she goes back in time using a tanning bed in a nail salon (I know how it sounds, please stay with me here) and meets Gary for the first time, again. It really sounds like a silly romantic comedy, but the longer you watch it, the more you realise how realistic it actually is. Obviously, I still haven’t found a tanning bed that works like a time machine, but the reason why Sheila keeps repeating that date is very much understandable. If you want to find it out yourself, please stop reading the post and go watch the film. I’m about to share her motivation, which allows me to slightly discuss it. So, at some point Sheila reveals that she used the time machine on the day she wanted to kill herself and that very evening she met Gary for the first time. Their date was so unusually pleasant that she wished for it to never end. It was a meeting that literally saved her life. At first I thought it’s just a goofy comedy about time travelling and repeating the date until it’s perfect and the guy falls in love with Sheila. However, it shows the real mask of depression that many people wear on a daily basis. Those are often gorgeous, successful, physically healthy people who deep inside feel incredibly empty and lost. When we first see Sheila, there are no signs of her personal struggles – she’s energetic, spontaneous and cheerful. Why would such woman want to end her life? Well, because that’s how depression works. It doesn’t choose the person, it just hits you hard. This film has quite poor ratings and I know it is a bit too messy when it comes to the screenplay, but generally, I believe more people should see it. The story of Sheila and Gary reminds us that we all have our backgrounds and we all go through difficult moments, so the most important is not to hide this authentic part of us and find a person who stays for better or worse. It’s easy to find a date for a night out, to attend a loud concert and have overpriced drinks till 4 in the morning, but finding a person who’s there for you to listen, to just keep you company when things are the worst – that’s a quality relation. Yesterday, we had World Suicide Prevention Day, but such day should be everyday. We should prevent it everyday by being present, attentive and empathic. Sometimes a simple conversation can literally save a life. Keep that in mind.
My rating: 6/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 