Plus One - A Movie Review

This is going to be the ultimate wedding season ever! Care to be my date?

Plus One was invited to movie theaters in 2019. Ben and Alice, two lifelong single best friends agree to be each other’s plus ones so they can survive a summer of weddings. Though pessimistic about love, they question if their friendship is something more.

I really thought I wasn’t going to review this film because at first glance, Plus One is the usual fall-in-love romance story where two characters find love. Turns out, there’s a much deeper meaning to this raunchy comedy. Always be willing to give love a chance.

Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine are your typical sarcastic best friends who share commentary on all the love stories in the world. They have as many gross conversations as they want. These characters are not the best examples of etiquette or relationships. They are dismissive of others' opinions, and what they think of themselves.

Quaid and Eriskine are great actors who generate a believable friendship. They have fantastic chemistry. By now, Quaid is well-known for his role as Richie in Scream (2022). As for Erskine, she steals the show. She is very natural in her performance and has her own trademark humor. I am keeping Erskine on my movie-watching radar.

As you may have guessed, several characters appear in this wedding film. I will say it over and over until the end of time that small parts make humungous impacts! All the actors who played friends or family are remarkable. The role of the supporting cast provides a broader commentary on the complexities of relationships and adds their perspectives.

Credits include Beck Bennett, Jessy Hodges, Rosalind Chao, John Lyke, and Leah Henoch. There’s also an appearance by the comical Jon Bass, who I watched in Sword of Trust. Instead of ignoring the duo’s negative thoughts, side characters support Ben and Alice, trying to understand their opinions.

This consideration is not something to overlook. Plus One is a positive example of loved ones being supportive, especially during a wedding. A wedding is a happy event which can make people feel jealous or lonely.

These types of films incorporate a lot of dialogue, which introduces audiences to dynamics. Plus One is rarely ever quiet. Ben and Alice are always talking about something. How much of the dialogue was improvised? The writers used real-life wedding conversations to make the film more realistic.

With the wedding setting, filmmakers glamoured up locations in festive arrays of decorations, music, and the tastiest foods. They’re also the best opportunities to dress up in your finest gowns and tuxes. A wedding is a memorable event, but not many people share the same feelings.

Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer did a good job with the comedy portion of the film. I thought the comedy wouldn’t express a moral, but it turns out, I was wrong. I got annoyed by the crude humor at times, but I was still laughing. Different rom-com techniques are implemented making Plus One stand out from the genre. The film has fun being what it is.

Relationships take time and they require us to put ourselves out there. Nobody is forcing you to be in a relationship, but experimenting doesn’t hurt. Just be happy with the decisions you make.

Plus One is entertaining and it’s funny. I always love it when movies prove your expectations wrong. It’s a film to watch on your next date night or when you’re hanging out with your besties. Watch Plus One on Netflix for your next date night.