Upon first glance, Someone Great seems like it’s your typical Netflix movie- you’ve not heard anything about it but it’s top of your recommended list so you might throw it on in the background and hey, it has a great cast so why not?
But it’s so much more than that.
The story of the aftermath of a breakup, finding solace in female friendships and learning to move on is intertwined with the heart aching love story that caused it. All bathed in a neon glow, you’ll feel like you fell in love and fell apart in the space of two hours. But you’ll be okay. Much like Jenny, the film might help you find the ‘Someone Great’ within yourself.
I’ve already found myself going back again, watching my favourite scenes on repeat, skipping through to find solace in just romantic and heart-breaking flashbacks and in its entirety roughly three times. It’s been out less than a month.
‘In heart wrenching silences, uncomfortable performances and reflective realisations, the camera lingers, rather than retreating to dynamic action.’
You might have seen the clips circulating social media already. We’ve all been there- whether it’s crying over coke cans or dancing round to Lizzo. If you’re not already in love at first sight from the cast: Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin), Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect), DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It) and Lakeith Stanfield (Sorry To Bother You), the movie could almost stand on it’s soundtrack alone, featuring Lorde, Lizzo, Frank Ocean, Phoebe Bridgers, Mitski, Robyn… the list goes on. But those aren’t quite the moments that elevate Someone Great to an almost ethereal status. In heart wrenching silences, uncomfortable performances and reflective realisations, the camera lingers, rather than retreating to dynamic action. It rejects over romanticising yes, but it rejects break up bitterness too. It’s romantic, but realistic and raw. It accepts heartache rather than letting it corrode completely or running away from it.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it, or found myself in such an unexpected place.
