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And Mrs is an unexpected London-set rom-com with a morbid twist

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As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for romantic comedies and an even softer spot for movies that tackle real-life issues, I found myself utterly captivated by the unique charm of “And Mrs.” Having lost my own beloved partner at a far too young age, I can attest to the fact that grief is indeed an experience that transcends the boundaries of the silver screen. Yet, it’s always refreshing when filmmakers manage to encapsulate this complex emotion in a way that resonates with audiences while still maintaining a semblance of humor.

Whenever you believe you’ve encountered every romantic comedy set in London, most of which follow the blueprint laid out by Richard Curtis, a fresh take emerges – namely, “And Mrs” – offering an unforeseen surprise.

Under the direction of Daniel Reisinger and penned by Melissa Bubnic, this romantic comedy follows the story of Gemma (played by Aisling Bea), who is left reeling after the unexpected passing of her fiancé Nathan (Colin Hanks) only a few days before their wedding.

Instead of calling off the wedding, Gemma chose to proceed with it, enlisting the aid of Nathan’s pregnant sister Audrey (Billie Lourd), overriding the objections of her mother Lorraine (Sinead Cusack) and best friend Ruth (Susan Wokoma).

It’s a setup that you’d think would result in an awkward rom-com about how weird it all is that Gemma wants to marry her dead partner. However, And Mrs is instead altogether more poignant and humane than you might expect.

And Mrs is an unexpected London-set rom-com with a morbid twist

Even to sell And Mrs as a rom-com is almost misrepresenting it. Yes, there are the classic staples of the genre – including a dramatic public proposal, a third-act betrayal that puts it all at risk and a last-minute dash to the altar – but it’s all cut through with an honest portrayal of grief.

1. Regardless of how absurd the film’s plot becomes, Reisinger always keeps the movie’s essence in focus. The way Gemma deals with her sorrow may seem unusual, but it feels genuine, especially since necrogamy – a term sometimes used for this practice – is actually legal in real life, particularly in France.

It’s beneficial to have an outstanding lead actress like Aisling Bea, who has demonstrated her expertise in blending comedy with heavier themes as shown in “This Way Up.” In this role, she delivers a remarkable tragicomic performance that can evoke hearty laughter and simultaneously leave you utterly moved by her raw emotion.

Additionally, she skillfully incorporates the surreal aspect of “And Mrs” into the storyline. Instead of just daydreaming about Nathan after his demise, Gemma’s character imaginatively brings him back to life in a way that could seem sentimental or overdone. However, Bea and Hanks’ charming on-screen chemistry effectively turns this idea into a heartwarming visual representation of Gemma’s reluctance to let go of Nathan.

And Mrs is an unexpected London-set rom-com with a morbid twist

As a gamer, I can resonate with feelings of grief, something that Reisinger understands too. The poignant finale is followed by the credits honoring those who were lost, among them Bea’s father who took his life when she was three and Reisinger’s mother who passed away before filming.

Despite the somber subject matter, there’s a bit of lightness too, as And Mrs understands the healing power of humor in confronting death. Not every joke hits home and some parts could be trimmed, but Bea manages to create a strong comedic bond with Billie Lourd to keep things lively.

In this outstanding ensemble, you’ll spot entertaining appearances by frequent faces from British television, including Paul Kaye portraying a highly inappropriate funeral officiant and Nish Kumar as a fiery public house owner. One of the film’s most amusing moments involves a joke about deception.

It’s unfortunate that Susan Wokoma’s talent is underutilized when she’s cast in the role of the main adversary to Gemma’s plan, and on top of that, she has an unnecessary side story involving Nathan’s friend, Arthur Darvill.

And Mrs is an unexpected London-set rom-com with a morbid twist

Despite its strong points in reimagining the conventional romantic comedy as a study of grief, And Mrs is not without its imperfections. It seems that a truly engaging 90-minute film could be crafted from its 110-minute duration, as it contains excess subplots and conflicts that aren’t essential, like the lingering awkwardness between Gemma and Audrey in the later stages of the story.

Mrs shouldn’t be written off just because she isn’t flawless. This is a unique, heartfelt British romantic comedy like no other, offering both laughter and tears in equal measure.

And Mrs is an unexpected London-set rom-com with a morbid twist

And Mrs is out now on digital platforms in the UK.

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2024-09-02 10:49

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