The Love Birds (2020)
We first joined Leilani and Jibran, an interracial couple (this is relevant, ok) after their first date. It is almost too much to watch, their chemistry is potent and the new relationship energy is bouncing off the screen. Following months inside, alone, I must say it was almost unbearable for me to watch (If you don’t come here for raw emotion about my personal life, remind me again why you come here?).
With an abrupt transition we are thrown four years deep into their relationship. We watch Leilani and Jibran tersely argue whether their bond could withstand the pressure of the reality show, The Amazing Race.
This argument is typical of long term relationship conflict. The Wikipedia article is open and the two of you are fiercely picking at each other over something ultimately irrelevant to your lives. This seemingly trivial argument is a proxy for this couple’s real issues. This is a crucial point in their relationship, where they question if they have what it takes to work long term. Their argument is also cleverly foreshadowing the future trajectory of this silly but enjoyable film. Our couple will have to find it in them to support one another through a series of life threatening confrontations.After all, aren’t the best relationships those of us who work best as a team?
The Lovebirds, despite its name, is no rom com. It’s a comedy thriller and at its core it explores two main messages. The first explores what keeps two people together long after the initial desire has faded and they try to compromise their expectations of one another. This question is pertinent to me and many others at this point in their lives, I’m sure. Especially after many of us were stuck inside alone, or with our partner. The other, also relevant in this current climate, plays on the discrimination against minorities in the justice system.
Leilani and Jibran find themselves at the scene of an awful crime. They are entirely innocent but the nature of the crime scene makes them look very guilty to a hipster couple who encounter them in the street. In fear of being framed for the murder of a cyclist, the couple choose to run, which sparks a series of stressful and often hilarious events.
It doesn’t sound very funny but out of the mouths of these two wonderful actors, Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, the quick fire jokes are laugh out loud funny. I think I may have disturbed my neighbours because I was enjoying this film so much.
Just one of highlights includes a dispute about the nature of orgies. Leilani attacks Jibran for trying to schedule sex, a very familiar argument in a long term relationship. Jibran retorts that the kinkiest sex is scheduled, siting orgies as an example. Leilani says that orgies are likely spontaneous. She posits that a bunch of mostly guys meet in a room and end up having sex. He says she is thinking of a gang bang and not an orgy. She quips back that those two things are one and the same. The humour lies in the fact that they are both partially right and wrong. Orgies are typically scheduled, and also most of the attendees are men.
In another scene following the shock of the initial crime, Jibran tries to order “two alcohols, please” at a diner. This line got me as he was ordering the same way I would in a bar in my early 20s, back when I didn’t know the names of any alcoholic drinks. Instead, my line was “surprise me”, which I thought was very cute at the time. Now I think it’s extremely cringeworthy.
Anyway, those are just samplings from a very funny and expertly delivered script.
On this blog, I have previously lamented that comedy films are not given their fair dues. I think that there is a misconception that comedy is not capable of exploring important messages. I think The Lovebirds is successful exploring the paranoia felt by minorities in response to the police. The storyline becomes very far fetched but it is sadly believable that two non-white characters would feel they needed to avoid the police at all costs.
I shouldn’t need to mention that current events have made this theme very relevant. It’s important to engage with the unjust situation going in the States. I think any of my readers (all two of you) would do well to engage in this current issue, but especially if you are white. I will be reading literature on the topic and I will be actively condemning police violence. This issue is relevant wherever you are in the world.
All of that aside for a moment, I think there is a place for a more palatable version of this message. While I was watching this film I was wondering if its release suffered from poor timing. I now believe its release was perfectly timed. That’s not to say we should avoid difficult realities in favour of putting our heads in the sand and turning on Netflix. But, I think The Lovebirds is actually well timed, in this respect, as we can appreciate the exploration of racism while also enjoying a silly comedy. I just can’t see anything wrong with that.
The Lovebirds is on Netflix. I recommend this film to anyone who likes romance, comedy, thrillers and just funny people getting into ridiculous situations. This film is genuinely funny, if any of this appeals to you I urge you to check it out. That’s a rave review from me!
This argument is typical of long term relationship conflict. The Wikipedia article is open and the two of you are fiercely picking at each other over something ultimately irrelevant to your lives. This seemingly trivial argument is a proxy for this couple’s real issues. This is a crucial point in their relationship, where they question if they have what it takes to work long term. Their argument is also cleverly foreshadowing the future trajectory of this silly but enjoyable film. Our couple will have to find it in them to support one another through a series of life threatening confrontations.After all, aren’t the best relationships those of us who work best as a team?
The Lovebirds, despite its name, is no rom com. It’s a comedy thriller and at its core it explores two main messages. The first explores what keeps two people together long after the initial desire has faded and they try to compromise their expectations of one another. This question is pertinent to me and many others at this point in their lives, I’m sure. Especially after many of us were stuck inside alone, or with our partner. The other, also relevant in this current climate, plays on the discrimination against minorities in the justice system.
Leilani and Jibran find themselves at the scene of an awful crime. They are entirely innocent but the nature of the crime scene makes them look very guilty to a hipster couple who encounter them in the street. In fear of being framed for the murder of a cyclist, the couple choose to run, which sparks a series of stressful and often hilarious events.
It doesn’t sound very funny but out of the mouths of these two wonderful actors, Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, the quick fire jokes are laugh out loud funny. I think I may have disturbed my neighbours because I was enjoying this film so much.
Just one of highlights includes a dispute about the nature of orgies. Leilani attacks Jibran for trying to schedule sex, a very familiar argument in a long term relationship. Jibran retorts that the kinkiest sex is scheduled, siting orgies as an example. Leilani says that orgies are likely spontaneous. She posits that a bunch of mostly guys meet in a room and end up having sex. He says she is thinking of a gang bang and not an orgy. She quips back that those two things are one and the same. The humour lies in the fact that they are both partially right and wrong. Orgies are typically scheduled, and also most of the attendees are men.
In another scene following the shock of the initial crime, Jibran tries to order “two alcohols, please” at a diner. This line got me as he was ordering the same way I would in a bar in my early 20s, back when I didn’t know the names of any alcoholic drinks. Instead, my line was “surprise me”, which I thought was very cute at the time. Now I think it’s extremely cringeworthy.
Anyway, those are just samplings from a very funny and expertly delivered script.
On this blog, I have previously lamented that comedy films are not given their fair dues. I think that there is a misconception that comedy is not capable of exploring important messages. I think The Lovebirds is successful exploring the paranoia felt by minorities in response to the police. The storyline becomes very far fetched but it is sadly believable that two non-white characters would feel they needed to avoid the police at all costs.
I shouldn’t need to mention that current events have made this theme very relevant. It’s important to engage with the unjust situation going in the States. I think any of my readers (all two of you) would do well to engage in this current issue, but especially if you are white. I will be reading literature on the topic and I will be actively condemning police violence. This issue is relevant wherever you are in the world.
All of that aside for a moment, I think there is a place for a more palatable version of this message. While I was watching this film I was wondering if its release suffered from poor timing. I now believe its release was perfectly timed. That’s not to say we should avoid difficult realities in favour of putting our heads in the sand and turning on Netflix. But, I think The Lovebirds is actually well timed, in this respect, as we can appreciate the exploration of racism while also enjoying a silly comedy. I just can’t see anything wrong with that.
The Lovebirds is on Netflix. I recommend this film to anyone who likes romance, comedy, thrillers and just funny people getting into ridiculous situations. This film is genuinely funny, if any of this appeals to you I urge you to check it out. That’s a rave review from me!
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