Meet Zoe, played by Josephine Langford. She’s studying computer science at Queens University in Charlotte and wants to cancel Valentine’s Day forever. She says, “Romantic love is a product of capitalism.” When she’s not busy lecturing on the pitfalls of romantic love, she’s fundraising for an app that supposedly uses a data-driven algorithm to find a user’s perfect match. The way this cynical and bumbling protagonist ends up falling in love is what makes up for this delightfully light Sarah Zandi film (Also read: Maggie Moore Review: Jon Hamm and Tina Fey Deserve Better Than This Clueless Woman). crime comedy)
Premise
Expect predictable twists and turns, but plenty of fun too. She soon gets hit in the head by a soccer ball and is attracted to an apology from jock Zack (Drew Starkey). Before she knows it, an accident introduces her to Zach’s parents, Connie (Andie MacDowell) and Matt (Patrick Fabian), and his younger sister Avery (Olive Abercrombie). They mistake Zoey for Zach’s girlfriend, and only then does she find out that he is dating another girl with the same name.
However, the trouble with the namesake doesn’t last long as Zoey meets Zach’s cousin Miles (Archie Renault), whom she saw earlier at a meeting lovingly lecturing on the same economic proposal. So, Zoe decides to lead them on the journey to becoming the girl she never was, while trying out pictures of herself with Miles in the background.
What works
“The Other Zoe” develops as a revelation for its protagonist as she realizes that her story is becoming more and more like the romantic films she once vehemently criticized. Matty Tabak’s bright and sometimes hilarious script never gives the characters enough information to better understand who they seem to be. Even though she is self-aware and preoccupied with her own doubts, there is always room for discovery and regret.
Fortunately, awkwardness does not give way to trivial moments. The twists and turns may be predictable, but there is room for patience and opportunity, making the journey worthwhile.
Final thoughts
“The Other Zoe” is not only about finding love, but also about compatibility and communication. Josephine Langford’s performance is beautifully restrained when necessary, skillfully guiding her viewers through the web of fights. She and Drew Starkey, who has an affable screen presence, have amazing chemistry.
I’ve often been reminded how much I’ve missed those bright and comforting rom-coms in the vein of Moonstruck, and The Other Zoe comes surprisingly close to that delightful introduction. It’s a sweet, hopeful and traditionally surprising film that defies cliché and plays with genre to brilliant effect.
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